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My timing belt broke, and the exhaust valves hit the pistons. Of course, I'll be replacing the cylinder head. I plan to replace the bearing and seal in the block as well. I'm just not sure if I need to replace or repair the pistons. Please take a look at the picture and give me your feedback. The only place that sold the pistons was at the dealership for $160 each (+ $200 for a ring set)!!! I would love to get away without having to replace them for the next 60,000 miles, but I'm not sure if it's wise to try.



2004 Suzuki Forenza
2.0L DOHC Automatic  

that won't hurt the pistons...

you are lucky.. the head gasket was starting to fail....   you can see the ring mark on the top of the block around the cylinder bore.. notice that the dark area has crossed the line.  the cylinder head will more than likely need to be surfaced .

the top of the block has way too much material left on it..   please pick up something like a Hyde 5 or 7 way painters tool and a flat diamond file to allow you to sharpen the edge of the blade to a razor sharp and absolutely smooth surface.. this will allow you to remove all the corrosion and gasket residue from the top of the block without resorting to some sort of other means that might spread debris around the engine..




you will need to find some Hylomar  from hylomar dot com  or hylomar from  permatex.  and spread a coating of that on both sides of the head gasket .. then let the solvents evaporate for 15 minutes prior to laying the head gasket on the block.
Permatex 85249 Hylomar Universal Blue Sealant, 1.2oz... napa stores also have it..  i personally won't do a head gasket without it.. i don't want to do it twice..  and i don't want the customer broken down someplace else..   i have been using it since 1993.. and have not had a failure yet.. even on hondas..   its NOT the same as anything thats NOT hylomar..


the reason to replace the pistons would be because the pistons have expanded do to overheating conditions and have distorted the piston skirts..  this leaves the piston looser in the bore than designed..    

the piston rings in most engines starting in the early 90s are low tension.. this reduced drag and increases mileage..  

giving the top of the block a light spray of brake cleaner.. will also help you raise the gasket material left for easy scraping...

please don't dig gouges in the deck surface...