Well, lucky me...yesterday morning in a cloud of fragrant steam the head gasket let go at 91,000 miles. I could see a stream of coolant spraying on the hot manifold, symbollically pissing on my plans for that $300 I had managed to set aside.

I suspect this happend due to an event a couple of years ago. At 65,000 miles the plastic radiator blew on my 940. No additional damage apparent at the time (shop did the work and checked compression, etc.) though heating/cooling behavior has been erratic of late, and the solid evidence of yesterday tells me that no matter the cause, the solution is evident.

I'm about to replace this head gasket myself, having done so on other vehicles that actually ran afterward. I have more time than money these days (was just laid off a week ago...when it rains, it pours) and could use a good project to break up the monotony/terror of trying to find a new job. I've already begun on the exhaust side (PB Blaster is marvelous stuff) and in the morning will tackle this with the full force of my stubborness.

My questions to the board:

1. Any special tools required or especially helpful? I have good 6-point, 1/2" sockets and the like for starters.

2. Any suggestions for removing the camshaft sprocket?

3. Is it necessary to disconnect all the hoses leading to the fuel rail, or can I simply remove the intake-to-head nuts and pull this back as one unit? My Bentley book (older engine, I realize) has you disconnecting all hoses and wires attached to the throttle body, but elsewhere in the threads people have talked about simply taking the intake off and tying it out of the way.

4. Any suggestions for refilling the coolant such that I can eliminate/reduce air bubbles in the system?

Thanks for your help...and wish me luck.