2003 Chevy Malibu water in cylinders

Tiny
RANDYROMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Just rebuilt after radiator hose break, water blew into air filter/intake, manifolds, heads, cylinders; poured water out of front exhaust manifold. Checked heads, I was going to replace gaskets prior to this happening due to water leaking from intake/head area.
Engine was put back together, torqued to specs. Although heads were considered within tolerances, front head bolts were a bit bent. Could this cause head to bolt up a bit unsquare.
I've tried to start it, plenty of spark; feeling that the water may have shorted out the electronics I replaced Ignition control (under coils), and coils, plugs & wires, checked all sensors for connections/voltage check. Good rotation speed but no start. Fuel injectors were also cleaned & new O-rings.
Should I just replace the heads with remanufactured ones? And new head bolts?
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 AT 7:27 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
JAYBIN82
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
You should use new head blots everytime you take them out. Me personaly I would change the the head, if it overheated you could of warped it. Or take it in somewhere to see if it is warped. You can get a compleat gasket set from a auto parts store, that will have every gasket you will need. Mine was about $100. The new bolts were about $20-$30, but that was for a v-6. Anyways, most head bolts are "streach-bolts" so you should always use new ones. Hope it helps
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
CHEVLOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I have done a few head gaskets, and know that you are suggested to replace head bols with new ones but I have reused the old ones on more than one occasion, but since you knew that there was a couple of bent ones it could be that they cracked as the engine heated if you did have it running at all after the rebuild. And as far as that would go after heating the engine it is hard to say if it is not warped or even cracked. I would try a cooling system leak down test that would answer many under lying issues.
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 8:02 PM

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