Whether you have an Isuzu Amigo or Rodeo with a 2.6-liter engine, changing the head gasket is the same process. It is necessary to detach and remove most of the automobile's components alongside the upper section of the motor to get to the head gasket. The unit lies below the cylinder head on the engine block. When replacing the head gasket, ensure you use the appropriate torque sequence as you tighten the cylinder head bolts.
Elevate the front of the Isuzu with a floor jack and hold it up with a jack stand. Drain the coolant from the cooling system into a clean sealable container. Empty the oil from the engine oil reservoir. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal. Alleviate the pressure from the fuel system.
Mark and tag the car parts as you remove or disconnect from the vehicle. Disconnect, unfasten or slide off the numerous assemblies, belts, caps, covers, wires and attaching bolts, such as the upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose, ground wires, drive belts, manifolds, power steering pump, cooling fan, distributor and spark plugs.
Disconnect the connectors, including the intake air temperature, radiator fan switch connector, exhaust gas recirculation valve connector, crankshaft position sensor connector and engine coolant temperature sensor connector.
Position the no. 1 cylinder to top dead center or "TDC" by lining the crankshaft marks with the camshaft pulley. Remove the camshaft pulley and glide the timing belt of the assembly.
Loosen the 10 head bolts with the loosening sequence for the 2.6-liter engine. The bolt numbers on the top level of the loosening sequence include 1, 7, 9, 5 and 3 and the bolt numbers on the lower level include 2, 8, 10, 6 and 4. Lift the cylinder head and gasket off the engine block. Put the old gasket in the trash.
Clean and scrap the gasket mating surfaces. Place a new gasket on the engine block and sit the cylinder head over the gasket. Assure the gasket "TOP" mark faces up. Align the cylinder head and gasket with the dowels for proper placement.
Torque the new cylinder head bolts in the right tightening sequence for the 2.6-liter engine. The bolt numbers for the tightening sequence on the top level include 7, 3, 1, 5 and 9 and 8, 4, 2, 6 and 10. Tighten the 10 new cylinder head bolts with your fingers. Torque the new bolts to 57 foot-pounds. Torque to 65 to 79 foot-pounds on the second pass.
Reinstall the car parts in the Isuzu in the reverse order of removal. Refill the coolant and the motor oil. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the vehicle and run it until it's warm. Check for any oil or coolant leaks.
