2002 Lesabre head gaskets

[TheChristian]

Does the engine have to come out to remove the rear cylinder head , I need to change the gaskets ?

 

[02LTD2.0]

No....are you sure it's the head gaskets and NOT just a failed Upper Intake Manifold?

 

[5.0MX5]

If, you have coolant getting into oil, or just leaking I'd definately do a leak down test on the rear cylinders before pulling the head. Odds are very high it's not the head gasket but one of the intake gaskets. This from the guy who bought a hydro-locked '98 PA after the shop told a senior lady she needed a new engine. I paid her a fair price and after replacing both upper and lower intakes and gaskets had a great engine. Easy weekend job.

Good Luck,

RonR

 

[CottonPicker]

If you have a coolant leak, thinking it is the rear head gasket, I suggest you look at the coolant elbows. The elbow that goes into the back can leak and trick you into thinking the leak is a head gasket. A little time spent diagnosing saves hours of hard work. My 2cents.
Pressurize cooling system, use a mirror and light to look at the elbows. If you just can't, the elbows are easy to remove to see if the o-rings are torn or cracked elbows. It would be an easy way to see the head gasket vs the elbow.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Many auto parts stores will rent a testing kit to check if combustion gasses are getting into the coolant which would indicate head gasket failure.
These 3800s are not known to have head gasket issues. As others here have stated it is more likely LIM gaskets or a UIM failure.

 

[Buick City Bert]

Unfortunately combustion gasses will enter the coolant as the EGR port erodes into the coolant channels in the upper intake manifold as well. These motors are well known for that, and it is a relatively simple repair.
Since the upper and lower intake must come off to remove the head, it might be worth going only as far as necessary to find the bad actor.
Personally I have never experienced a bad head, or head gasket on these solid cast iron motors.