How hard is it to remove the head?

[AUtyger]

My '91 SE ran hot a few months ago, and since replacing the radiator I've had trouble with hesitation and smoke. I tried some liquid glass sealant, and it worked for 3 months, but now the problem is back. I tried the sealant again but no luck. I'm broke and I got laid-off from my job or I wouldn't have tried the band-aid quick fix shit. Anyway, I think I've either got a blown gasket, or a cracked/warped head. Anyone have any suggestions? Should I try to tighten the head bolts some? How about the price of a new head? Valve job at the same time? Thanks...

that sound like you probably got a warped head. That could get expensive. only way to tell for sure is to take it to your local machine shop and have them test it. But if you dont want to spend the money you can sell the car to me. I have an engine but no car to put it in

[chickenmanq]

Have you found another job yet?  Remember, although it sucks, you can still survive working at Subway, or Autozone or something.  Plus they're shit jobs, so it really doesn't matter if you only work there a short time until you get the job you want.

[nos240]

####, sorry bro. i know how you feel. it's sucks. ne way, i guess a couple of ways to find out if you have crack head or blown head gasket is to leave the car sitting for a day or two (if possible) and check inside the cylinder for coolant. just remove the spark plug for all four cylinder, and check with a flashlight. another symptom would be overheating and low coolant level.

[WhiteS13]

Take  the radiator cap off when the car is running at COLD temperature.  If there's an excessive amount of bubbles, or oil present in the coolent (brown colour), then you have a leaking head gasket.

If your burning coolent, you'll notice a lot of thick white smoke coming out of your exhaust all the time, not just at start up because condensation will be present when the car is just starting to warm up.  Oil burning will cause a light blue colour.

Try to do a leak down and compression test if possible.  Your local mechanic shop can diagnose this for cheap since it doesn't take a lot of time (unless your SOHC).

[AUtyger]

You hit it on the head with the excessive bubbles and oil in the coolant. Water is also coming out the little hole on the top of my water pump. Is the pump bad? Thanks for the help.