Head Gasket

[Pug_crew]

Just had a sniff test done which has confirmed what I had thought for some time now that my head gasket is leaking.

I intend to replace it and have looked at my Haynes manual but was wondering whether there are any better guides on the internet anywhere?

[kevin..in]

I have done HG using only haynes manual in the past
a copy of the BGB is a good source of info (try ebay for a disc!)

[mart1975]

i could also do with the head bolt torque settings.

[kevin..in]

i could also do with the head bolt torque settings.

60Nm 44Ft Lbs

[andytame]

According to my 4AGE book, that's not correct.

22 ft lbs (29 nm) then 90 degrees and another 90 degrees.

http://4age.jjones.co.uk/
Then "Cylinder Head"
Pages EM 117 - EM 118

Not sure what my haynes says, will check tomorrow.

[System-G]

I just finished doing the HG on our SC using the BGB disc (the Haynes manual is a PITA to use). It was the first time I have had an engine apart AND repaired it. Quited chuffed really

It took about 4.5 days to do it which included many trips into town and suppliers. The N/A should take a lot less time as there is less to remove and put back.
You may as well change the cam belt, idler tentioner pulley & spring whilst you're at it. Also get new head bolts - don't re-use the old ones.

I didn't bother stripping down the head
1] I didn't have time
2] It wasn't needed. A soak test proved everything was fine.

Head Bolts need to be torqued as above 22ft-lb (29N-m) +90deg, +90deg as per BGB (EM46).
I miss read the instructions and miss-used my torque wrench and over torqued by a fair amount. But fortunately not too much and was able to loosen the bolts and do it a second time.

The most difficult part for me was on re-assembly getting TDC and the timing right. Also again I didn't read the instructions properly...

Initially I didn't bother replacing the idler pulley, but on the first road test it sounded like it should have been. We ordered a replacement pulley re-did the cambelt.

The first propper road test was driving the 3.5 journey to Anglesey hours after completing it, driving on track for two full days and then driving back home

[mart1975]

many thanks

[spudgun]

I have just knocked mine out as well.
The long trip to the 'ring and a couple of laps saw the end of it I'm sure. It now has coolant going missing from nowhere where it didn't before.

I'm half tempted to give the engine a once over while I'm there, new valve stem seals, maybe new shell bearings in the bottom end and knock up some poly engine mounts.

Its a pain but the trip was worth it.

[kevin..in]

According to my 4AGE book, that's not correct.

22 ft lbs (29 nm) then 90 degrees and another 90 degrees.

http://4age.jjones.co.uk/
Then "Cylinder Head"
Pages EM 117 - EM 118

Not sure what my haynes says, will check tomorrow.

29Nm then 90 degrees then further 90 degrees is correct as per BGB

gradually tightening the bolts finally finishing at 60Nm as per Haynes

either way the end result is the same

I have both books infront of me

[Pug_crew]

Thanks everyone for the useful advice.

A couple of other questions:

System-G said:

It wasn't needed. A soak test proved everything was fine.

What is a soak test? Also where can I get head bolts - is this a Mr T thing only?

I did my cam belt etc last year but is there anything else I should consider whilst I've got the head off? I'm working to a budget so new cams etc whilst nice to do will not be on the agenda.[/quote]

PS how the hell do I insert a quote from an earlier post????

[spudgun]

Thanks everyone for the useful advice.

A couple of other questions:

System-G said:

It wasn't needed. A soak test proved everything was fine.

What is a soak test? Also where can I get head bolts - is this a Mr T thing only?

I did my cam belt etc last year but is there anything else I should consider whilst I've got the head off? I'm working to a budget so new cams etc whilst nice to do will not be on the agenda.

PS how the hell do I insert a quote from an earlier post????[/quote]

A soak test, well my interpretation, would be to turn the head on its side and poor a small amount of petrol into the inlet/exhaust tract of each cylinder. Allow this a soak for a bit to see if it seeps past the valves in the closed position. If all is well you can avoid regrinding the valves.

As for the cylinder head bolts I'm pretty sure there not of the stretch variety so can be reused.

[System-G]

Soak test is as above although I used meatholated spirits (similar consistancy to petrol). I soak tested the head (Valves) and the block (Pistons). If the liquid seeps though in anything under a minute (or thereabouts), it would be best for a full rebuild.

The headbolts do stretch. The original bolts that came out the head were nearly 15mm longer than the new ones that went in. They stretch so one minimalises the risk of cross-threading if over tightened.
The new bolts I originally overtightened (but not beyond the 22ft-lb +90+90) had also stretched somewhat +/- 8mm (varied per bolt). I only used them again because they were "within tollerance" and I took a chance. If they were stretched any more than that I would have ordered more new bolts.

[bikerman90]

According to Autodata it should be as follows:

Stage 1 : 25NM
Stage 2 : 45NM
Stage 3 : 55 - 64NM


There are so many difference's of opinions on these cars
Which do you go by?

Pick on and use that all the time i think lol

[010on1986]

On blue top 3 rib,block I used 3 passes 15ft 30ft 45ft/lbs in february 2006, head still on and no hg problem.

[System-G]

Personally, I'd stick with the BGB as this was the manual that Toyota created for their own mechanics

[un1eash]

Might aswell change the water pump while your at it. Will save alot of time and money later on if it fails. Ive done a few head gaskets now(2l ford zetec, tigra 16v, pug 106 and 206). Not done the mk1's yet though, hoping i dont have too.

[kevin..in]

According to Autodata it should be as follows:

Stage 1 : 25NM
Stage 2 : 45NM
Stage 3 : 55 - 64NM


There are so many difference's of opinions on these cars
Which do you go by?

Pick on and use that all the time i think lol

as I already said no difference in result between BGB and Haynes
Autodata is as near as makes no difference to Haynes so either way will do the job