Questions and Answers

Toyota Celica Head Gasket Q. My 1989 Toyota Celica GT recently overheated and blew its head gasket (CO2 in the coolant, said the mechanic who inspected it for me.) I am handy enough with cars, but just don't feel comfortable with the procedure described in my Haynes manual, which involves pulling out the valves, cams, etc.

Is there a way to remove the cylinder head from the block without taking the head apart? I would be fine with removing the manifolds, hoses, etc. Labor isn't cheap where I live, and I've been quoted $1500.00 for the repair, which doesn't even address the cooling system problem that likely caused the overheating.

On another front, a friend has a non-profit that people sometimes donate cars to. She has a 1995 Chevy Tacoma pickup with head gasket problems of its own and a power-steering pump that needs replacing. But I can check with a dealer to see if the truck is eligible for recall head gasket repair, and can probably deal with the power steering problem. Any ideas?

A. Unless there is a reason, I never take the camshaft and valves out of a head when I do a head gasket replacement. There's no reason that I can see that you would have to. Unless maybe the shop you send the head to be pressure tested and resurfaced wants you to. And even at that, for a few bucks more they will do it for you.

You seem to have the Chevy Tacoma well in hand. I don't understand what you need from me on it.