2.3L ('02-'11) Pulling the Head on '06 2.3L

[rarmille]

Anyone have any good resources/guides for how to do this job? The compression on my 2nd cylinder is low. I was told it may be a bad valve guide, and that I'll need to pull off the head to find out. I'd like to do this myself, but don't want to mess it up. Thanks.

 

[Dirtman]

Have you done the compression test wet and dry to confirm a valve issue?

The 2.3 duratec is a complicated engine, and its an interference engine. Meaning if you do not follow a very specific procedure for taking it apart or timing it when putting it back together the valves will smash into the pistons causing massive damage. I suggest finding the ford factory service manual before attempting any work on it. There are also some special tools required to work on the cams, and set timing.

 

[RonD]

And just FYI, a bad valve guide won't effect compression, its not inside the cylinder

These Dual over head cam engines are easy to disassemble but, as said by Dirtman, do require a bit of knowledge to time when reassembling
But all the information you need is out there

I would do as Dirtman said and confirm a Valve seal issue with a retest of #2 compression
Do it dry, as before, write it down
Then do it WET, add a teaspoon of oil via spark plug hole, then test compression

WET test will ALWAYS see an increase in compression number, as it seals the piston's rings better, but doesn't help if a valve is not sealing as it should

So number will go up, but if it doesn't come up all the way then its a valve thats leaking

If you posted the actual numbers from your test we could tell you what to expect on WET test

Reason you want to do the dry and WET test is to see if pulling the head and redoing it will help
If your problem is piston rings then it would be a waste of time and money to just do the head

 

[pjtoledo]

the Duratecs have a cam follower bucket setup that eliminates ALL side force on the valve stem.
because of that it's quite difficult to damage a guide.

removing just the valve cover (cylinder head cover) allows you to check valve clearances and inspect cam lobes.