Need Help Pulling My Head Off.....

EniGmA1981

EniGmA1981

EniGmA1981

Soldato
Joined
14 Sep 2010
Posts
2,910
Location
Port Talbot - Wales
Hey all, no this is not a dismemberment thread, but I'm in the middle of getting the head off my 2000 Zafira and I seem to have hit a brick wall :(

I've removed the exhaust manifold, airbox etc, planning on taking the head off with the inlet manifold still attached so that's not been removed, but I've taken the bolt out of the inlet manifold retaining strap but still it won't move!

I've posted the same question on VXON (vauxhall owners network) but they've let me down this time lol

So I'm throwing this one out to my fellow OcUK'ers... don't let me down guys :D
 
Yep, all head bolts out, the belt is the reason I'm doing it, it's less of a belt now and more of a line lol

And no, the manifold is just bolted to the head, not the block - there was a metal strap under the manifold bolting it down to the back of the block, but I've removed that already.
 
EniGmA1981 said:
Yep, all head bolts out, the belt is the reason I'm doing it, it's less of a belt now and more of a line lol
Click to expand...

Broken then I take it?


Head may just be stuck, try giving it a gentle lift with a pry bar just don't do it on the joining surface find somewhere the head gasket doesn't touch.
 
It might be stuck down by the headgasket. I often have to hit it from underneath with a club hammer or suitable drift. If it's aluminium them make sure there's something wood against it and don't smack the hammer face directly on the aluminium in case you crack it. Otherwise you can also drive a wedge between the block and head, but, again, do this somewhere where you're not going to cause a leak if you damage it slightly. On a corner of the block is usually a good place for this.
 
Ok, got a little (very little) progress, I got that metal strip off, and now I've got a little movement - it'll lift a bit on the battery side, and it'll lift at the rear but there's something in the front corner behind the exhaust cam wheel (I've taken the two screws out of the backplate but it's just not moving!)

Could it just be stuck? or is there a hidden bolt I've missed?
 
Might be stuck on the dowel on that side of the engine, just keep wobbling and it should eventually release, other then that any bolts still in the had should be quite noticeable by moving the head, iam afraid no-one can be of much direct help when its a 'feel' thing and we are all on the other side of the internet.

Get a friend to wobble the head while you look to see if any covers are being moved by the action.
 
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