My head gasket on my 2002 S4 just blew. Yes I am sure it is my head gasket, white smoke out the pipes, sweet smell in exhaust (dont know what side though).
Just not sure what else I need to/should replace while I have it broke down that far. I have new valve cover gaskets and spark plugs. Any help on how much of a pain in the **** this is going to be would help too. Also, any special tools needed?
Thanks for the help.

 

You'll need this for the head bolts! Click the pic for a link...


You might as well replace both head gaskets and TB, TB tensioner, water pump, valve cover gaskets, cam seals, intake manifold gaskets, o-ring for the coolant pipe on the back of the head, exhaust manifold gasket, manifold locknuts and possibly studs, probably throttle body gasket, coolant change and oil change.

It's not fun but not terrible either if you know what your doing or if you feel confident of at least putting your car in service mode.

Good luck!

 

Head bolts/studs MUST be replaced.. Try to find a whole 'kit'.

 

Great, thanks for the help. I just ordered the head bolt bit. Does anyone happen to know of anywhere that sells a "kit"? I have been looking and can just find the gasket "kit" which is only one side and doesnt include the bolts and studs. I need the bentley manual too.
I just replaced the water pump, timing belt/tensioner/ect 8k miles ago. The bearing in the pump took a sh** on me and took the after pump with it. That was all replaced as well as the reservoir.
How long should this take? I am a pretty adept mechanic (old cars and jets/helicopters mostly though). I have all the common tools, just need speciality tools like the head bolt bit.
Again thanks for the help.

 

Dont think you'll find just a gasket kit for one side, and, of course, since you must use new bolts/studs, I dont think you'll find one w/o those either...You could just buy them separately...

However, since your in there and since you had a previous cooling system problem that obviously precipitated this one (either at the time, or through improper bleeding), I would suggest just going ahead and doing both sides for piece of mind. The time involved would only be slightly more since things like the intake and fuel rails are already removed.

 

Oh yes definitely doing both sides. Im not sure which side is blown if infact both are.
Just so I have all the parts, how many head bolts and studs am I going to need?