PeteL

Finally found time to post pics of my engine after I got to the headgasket. The gasket itself was OK, there were no visible (to me) places where it seemed it was leaking. The cylinders did not have any coolant in them, although it was several days between draining the coolant and removing the head.
What I am concerned about is the buildup on number 1 and 4 cylinders. There seems to be tons of carbon there. The other 2 are not as bad. The car was running like total crap when cold, sounding like it was on three or less cylinders. Once warm it ran great. I convinced myself it was the HG so now I don't know what to think. Appreciate your opinions on the appearance of the engine.

The Cylinder Head

Number 1 Valves

Number 2 Valves

Number 3 Valves

Number 4 Valves

The block

#1 Cylinder

#2 Cylinder

#3 Cylinder

#4 Cylinder

Eyal 951

To make it easier for people, and prolly get a lot more views, add [img] in front of the image location, and [/img] after, like so but with NO spaces:

[img] http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/cylinder_head.jpg [/img]

it will turn into this:

Mongo

You have a lot of carbon build up. Have you done a compression test to see if you have bad rings? Last motor I tore apart had that much carbon and bad piston rings, causing carbon build up because oil was being combusted with the fuel.

....or you are using 80 octane

bjzorn

I agree it looks like you may have bad rings, that or bad injectors as well, if the injectors are stuck open it can cause carbon buildup as well, I say check your rings and your injectors

Brandon

Mighty Shilling

Well, FWIW, there are a lot of threads about cars that don't like to run when cold. it's a fairly common issue with the 944NA... soooo, that may very well be what you were experiencing... for the most part, that looks like it's in great shape!

PeteL

Now the pics are displayed!

Mongo

look at your #3 compared to the others! You have either very leaky valve guides or you may need to re-ring your block. Did you compression test???

Mark

That puppy looks like it was WAAYYY rich on 2 cyls.

Rings and valves need a serious look-see. As the Stig said - did you do a compression check before your teardown?

I'd also recommend an oil analysis from Blackstone. It can give you a bit more insight in to the internals.

Mongo

I had 60 psi on a cylinder that looked like your #1.

xsboost90

you didnt beat the car enough to blow the carbon out of the cylinders! You need a bottle of inj. cleaner- or some e-check in a bottle that works great for cleaning carbon out. Then beat it alittle harder.

2bridges

UHHHHHHHHH -YOU ALL FAIL!!!!
I think you all missed it
#3 cyl head gasket failed - look at pic

xsboost90

hey your right, still need to beat it more though.

2bridges

here is pic - with failed point circled.... this is also why this cylinder has less carbon

Zero10

Man, I must be blind. That looks like something on the gasket, but I guess it could be a crack in the gasket.
Looks like he is burning some oil from the rings as the bottom edge of all 4 pistons is clean, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over that.

My best guess would be an injector problem on #1 and #4.

Mongo

Aha! a bad head gasket! That's what cleaned up that cylinder!