Head gasket failures - why so many?

[Dico]

I agree with all of the above,

edit- FFS, below then!

[RayD]

I was not disagreeing with applying torque in stages but if the increments are too small the difference between static and kinetic friction would mean that the torque wrench would go click (assuming that type) before the bolt moved.
When you said "I’d split it up into as many stages as practicable so that you were creeping up more slowly on the proper torque or degree of rotation" you did not say what was practicable. In my view increments that are too low are prone to errors and engine manufactureres recommendation is two steps and there is probably a good reason.

No I didn’t say what was practicable … I’m sure if anyone took up the idea it would become evident on the day with the tools in their hands and a feel for the job they were doing … I might change my mind under those circumstances but if I had to give an example of what I meant … instead of say 30 – 58, I might settle for … finger tight – 20 – 40 – 58. If nothing else it gets over the importance of tightening it down equally.

How can either imply a list? its one ot the other, both, Oh! I see a list of 2.

Hopefully someone from up here might be able to explain this better than me but when you read … I do not think increasing the torque in small steps is a good idea either … in a Yorkshire accent … it infers you’ve previously said something else you don’t agree with.

It might just be the way we talk - which I’d be the first to agree, isn’t very good.

If it is a regional accent thing then it’s my fault.

Ray

[Specky]

I agree with all of the above,

edit- FFS, below then!

Only you Dico could start a new page with a coment like that...

It made me laugh..

TTFN

[GeoffSmith]

I agree with all of the above,

edit- FFS, below then!

Only you Dico could start a new page with a coment like that...

It made me laugh..

TTFN

The man whose head bolts need re-torquing?

[DeeAitch]

After much deliberation I decided backing of the bolts then retorquing would be best option.
Trouble I had was 'what if backing them off 1/4 turn is not enough to couteract the effect of 'sticktion' (Good old US of A term )'
So I bottled it
Checked them all at the correct torque and nothing moved so a little piece of mind - seems to be holding up so far but now I have a high load miss-fire

[chipp]

:( add another one to that list

chipp

On its way to GST next week to get sorted.

chipp

[Dico]

Mines running sweet after a couple of thousand miles of use. No re-torquing required here

[Specky]

Monty,Monty,Monty,

Putting all those miles on Dico's car

TTFN

[HJ2]

Anyone else has actual hands on experience with re-torquing or checking the head bolts? and is willing to share some short and long term experiences / effects?

[HJ2]

Please find my little story about headgasket failure (for the stats!) here:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19996

[DeeAitch]

Brave man!
I think it is worthwhile detaching the exhaust manifold, if only to avoid the risk of damage to the bodywork. Even then it is pig - good luck!
Oh, and don't forget to detach the earth P clip behind the plenum - you can end up lifting the whole car on that
Now why did this end up in the wrong thread

[HJ2]

LOL! Thanks!
Earth strap as a 5th jacking point

[mmatthej1]

Starting to fear that my head gasket has gone; just did regular check of fluids levels and needed to put in a LOT of water.

I'll be starting the car tomorrow, when I have time to look for any obvious cooling system leak (hope it's a hose!) but - in meantime - can anyone give me broad-brush idea of labour hours/ job cost, if I need to get the head gasket replacement job done, please?

Is this a job requiring a Lotus specialist or could a competent garage be trusted - any thoughts, please?

[Specky]

I couldn't be bothered to do mine until I received the quote...about £2000 (Just under), It's not a task I would let just anyone undertake either. I ended up spending about £150 and doing it myself)

I had two quotes GST and Steve Williams.

Best of luck

TTFN

[HJ2]

Hohly Crap, 2.000,- !
I saved myself a lot of pennies then

[mmatthej1]

Aaagh!!! I'm in shock, 'cos that's a big part of the cars value!

Maybe sell it for parts............... or could I do the job, I wonder???

I'm just printing out the 'Service Notes' sections but it does look horribly difficult and would probably take a mega-time to accomplish. Any thoughts?

[Specky]

Hohly Crap, 2.000,- !
I saved myself a lot of pennies then

Think of it as an early birthday present. HB

TTFN

[epipete]

Have a word with Tony at Malmesbury Specialist Motors get a quote for both a test and HG replacement. They're quite able mechanics & I respect Tony's skills. Be interesting to know what they'd charge. Infact if you supply the parts (Rockauto, SJ's etc) ask them for their labour charges (& time).

Failing that we could practice on yours (I'll supply beer & encouragement) for when mine needs doing!!!

HJ's thread is excellent & shows the way.

Pete

[mmatthej1]

Thanks for the tip towards " Malmesbury Specialist Motors"; have to say that i had not heard of them previously!

Will let you know what they reckon/HOW MUCH !!!

[dapinky]

Many of us have done the job, and it's well documented on the forum if you want to give it a go.

HJ has put vertually everything into one thread recently, and if you follow that one, you wont go too far wrong.

Personally, i would rather have a go myself than let a non-specialist loose on it, because time is money, and if they encounter a problem, those £30 hours just fly by. If you can get a fixed price quote, then it's worth considering, or a specialist (with a higher hourly rate, but actually knowing how to solve the problems) is ofter cheaper overall.

If you do it yourself, it's fairly straightforward, and at least you can do all those other little jobs along the way (there's always something to clean and/or paint that you can now get to, which a garage wont do).

If you know how to hold a spanner, can read okay, and have a bucket of patience (preferably with slim strong wrists a strong fingertip grip and trebble jointed elbows) then it is easily possible to do on the driveway (or even roadside - thats where i did my engine swap) at home.