Suzuki: head gasket, cylinder head bolts, head gasket


Question
i own a vitara 1997 sidekick 4x4.1.8 engine.it is leaking and when i looked it is from the head gasket.i will like to do it myself.can you tell me how?thanks in advance.

Answer
Drain the coolant, disconnect intake piping, exhaust as necessary,(sometimes it's easier to remove the manifolds first) disconnect hoses and wiring as necessary, remove the timing covers, and disconnect the timing drive, and remove the head.  Reverse to re-assemble.  You REALLY NEED a factory shop manual to determine, for instance whether the cylinder head bolts can be re-used, or must be replaced.
scotty