Just got done pulling the intake/exhaust manifold and noticed what appears to be a relatively small leak from the head gasket (see photo).
http://tinyurl.com/ygyrya2
My question is, how serious is this? As far as I know, this is the remnants of an old leak that happened 20 years ago and hasn't leaked since...no idea though. Engine has right at 200K mi. on it.
There are no other signs of a blown head gasket (no smoke, no disappearing coolant, no signs of coolant in the oil (not that it would likely be visible in a diesel's oil anyway), starts great, runs great, etc) never overheated since I took ownership 100K mi. ago
If I did decide to replace the head gasket, how much more work would be involved...seeing that I've already pulled the intake/exhaust off. From what I can see, it looks like I'd need to pull the injectors, GPs, linkages - Zip tie the timing chain to the sprocket and pull the sprocket and keep the chain under tension. Am I missing anything? (was planning on replacing injectors and timing chain anyway, but this would still be WAY more work.
Then, while the head is out, would it be prudent to have the head looked at...professionally? (have a valve job done - seats, seals, etc), plane the head? I mean heck, as long as I have the thing out, make it the last time it ever has to happen, hopefully. What sort of $ would I be looking at to have the head serviced like this?