Renew Head Bolts Or Not?

[Vz_ace 0]

Hi guys!

 

Yesterday after i finished my job, I had a very exciting smoky home ride... ;

 

I think that the head gasket has died.

 

Do you think, that i need new head bolts when i'm going to replace head gasket? is this necessarily?

What else do you recommend to do during that intervention? (to replace...)

 

thanx,

Vladimir

[edthedrummer 0]

yes, if they are standard head bolts they will need replacing as they stretch.

 

Ed

[Roman 0]

belt,pump and tensioner also...

[one-lady-owner 1]

I think the 205's are starting to revolt, mine, GLP's and now yours!! Head gaskets are going everywhere!

 

Hope all goes well with fixing it! I agree with above ^^^ might as well get everything replaced and the head skimmed while it's off!

[Vz_ace 0]

I forgot- the car is 90' 1.6 gti, 76 kW. Is there any special head bolts tightening procedure? What should be the tightening torque?

Is Victor Reinz gasket set good enough?

 

Should I be careful about belt selection? are there different tooth-number versions? which is correct?

 

what is the limit of head skimming (mm)?

 

many thanks,

Vladimir

Edited December 17, 2009 by Vz_ace

[Bottrill 0]

Just done the HG on my my 1.6 GTI.

 

I found this link useful, the guy seems to know what he is talking about.

 

Puma Racing

 

Alternatively get yourself a Haynes manual or do a search on Google and download one.

 

Lee.

Edited December 17, 2009 by Bottrill

[Vz_ace 0]

yeah, one-lady, maybe there is somekind of a pug-virus on his way (like H1N1 for us;)

 

ok, thanx guys. if anybody has something to add, go ahead.

 

 

regards,

Vladimir Zaloznik, Slovenia

[DamirGTI 342]

I forgot- the car is 90' 1.6 gti, 76 kW. Is there any special head bolts tightening procedure? What should be the tightening torque?

Is Victor Reinz gasket set good enough?

 

Should I be careful about belt selection? are there different tooth-number versions? which is correct?

 

what is the limit of head skimming (mm)?

 

many thanks,

Vladimir

 

Always buy new head bolts ! get the head skimmed (if it wasn't seriously overheated 0.20mm skim will be enough ..) , clean head bolt threads inside the block , clean block mating surface (with soft scrapper , i like to do that with an piece of plexiglas .. also , brake cleaner/spray is excellent for cleaning various engine bits and pieces prior to assembly ..) smear some moly or copper grease on the head bolt threads and on the area under the bolt heads and try this tightening method over the OE one :

 

1. stage - 30Nm

2. stage - 55Nm

3. stage - loosen each bolt one at a time 1/8th turn and retighten to 55Nm

4. stage - 80Nm

5. stage - 95Nm (70lbf ft)

 

As for brands , "Victor Reinz" is a good un , can't go wrong with that one ... for timing belt "Gates Power-Grip" (can't remember exact tooth number but theres two types for 1.6/1.9 engines , with 113 and 117 tooths iirc ..) and , as said , at this point it'll be wise to replace water pump and timing belt tensioner as well .. though i would do the valves (regrind , decarbonize , clearance reset ..) and steam seals too when ever the head is off , but that's up to you ...

 

Damir

[Vz_ace 0]

aha, thx, damir. do you think it is necessariliy to tighten again after driving for some time with a new gasket?

[DamirGTI 342]

Just do them once and that's it , no need for further re-tightening on this engine ...

 

Have fun

Damir

[daveo 0]

I think the 205's are starting to revolt, mine, GLP's and now yours!! Head gaskets are going everywhere!

 

Hope all goes well with fixing it! I agree with above ^^^ might as well get everything replaced and the head skimmed while it's off!

 

i think your right! mine had a magor HG failure 3 alternators 3 exhausts (2nd one of each wern't right) and exploding brake, and yesterday my drive shaft went.

this is all within 2 months!!

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

for timing belt "Gates Power-Grip" (can't remember exact tooth number but theres two types for 1.6/1.9 engines , with 113 and 117 tooths iirc ..)

Depending on the type of tensioner (eccentric or sprung roller) the belts are either 114 tooth (eccentric roller tensioner) or 113 tooth (sprung roller) aren't they?

 

You'll need to find out which you have before you buy the kit. If you car has the tin cambelt cover by the cylinder head its most likely to have a sprung roller but if its got a plastic one piece cover the eccentric roller.

 

But to make sure which you have, a more certain way is to eaither remove the middle & lower covers to look & see or easier to feel down the back edge of the block near the exhaust manifold (best when cold) for a stud & locking nut.

 

Idiots guide to Cam Belt change topic should help & shows a picture of the sprung type tensioner.

 

Graham.

[Vz_ace 0]

Depending on the type of tensioner (eccentric or sprung roller) the belts are either 114 tooth (eccentric roller tensioner) or 113 tooth (sprung roller) aren't they?

 

You'll need to find out which you have before you buy the kit. If you car has the tin cambelt cover by the cylinder head its most likely to have a sprung roller but if its got a plastic one piece cover the eccentric roller.

 

But to make sure which you have, a more certain way is to eaither remove the middle & lower covers to look & see or easier to feel down the back edge of the block near the exhaust manifold (best when cold) for a stud & locking nut.

 

Idiots guide to Cam Belt change topic should help & shows a picture of the sprung type tensioner.

 

Graham.

 

 

Thanks, Graham. Your explanation just confirmed my thinking and decision. I've searched the net and found this information:

 

my engine: 1.6 gti (180z or xu5j)

timing belt: 113 teeth, 17 wdth (sprung tensioner- i remeber, because I had to replace water pump few months ago;)

 

Bolt dimensions are M11x1,5mmx175mm? they are torx type.

 

thanks guys!