40 replies to this topic

[RooBoonix]

Hello everyone,

 

After spending the most of today getting my engine back together with a new head gasket, setting valve clearances and all the other malarky... I found a bit of a problem!

 

I used the SPi head gasket kit from Minispares which comes with the black headgasket (I believe is the BK450?) and as I was filling the water system, the water started leaking all out the front and side of the block (front and drivers side for sure, not sure about the back)! I didn't even get to start it!

 

Yes, I did torque it down following the Haynes manual first to 34nm in a spiral, then to 68nm in a spiral. The head was freshly skimmed and the block face I had gone over with a scraper to make sure there was no left over residue that could make the gasket not seal properly.

 

I have a friend coming round tomorrow who is a VERY experienced mechanic to look and see if I done anything wrong. Is this a common problem here? Anything I should look out for when I take the head off again tomorrow?

 

Thanks,

Cam.

[Carlos W]

Have you done a heat cycle then re-torqued the head yet?

[RooBoonix]

Not yet. I have read that some head gaskets require a heat cycle before the coolant filling, should I tighten the head nuts down (I loosened them to make it easier to get it off tomorrow), fill the oil and do a heat cycle? If it's that simple then.. great

 

Thanks for your reply,

Cam.

[MrIan]

Surely if the water is leaking out as you're filling it there's something seriously wrong with the seal. Does anyone do a heat cycle with no water in the head ? Because that's what you'll have. Sounds like a recipe for damage to me.

[benjy_18]

May and silly but the gasket is on the right way around?

[RooBoonix]

Yes I believe the gasket is on the right way round.

Cam.

[minimat]

I have never needed to slacken and retighten the head bolts after running the engine and not had a problem,my guess is the gasket is the wrong way round, they should be marked top and front.

[RooBoonix]

I looked and it had no marks on it saying orientation. My only guide was the blanked hole in the top left corner of the block. Where on the top right where was a water/oil way (can't remember which) and the other side was just black so I put the side with the copper sealing ring on the water/oil way and on the other side was just a black rubbery ring (only one on the whole gasket).

 

Cam.

[RooBoonix]

Here is a picture of the leaking...

[URL=http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/RooBoonix/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140921_185601_zps06898740.jpg.html]

Opinions on what to do?

Cam.

[nicklouse]

To me it just looks like you have not fitted it correctly.

Head off clear water out of cylinders, oil etc and try again.

Edited by nicklouse, 21 September 2014 - 10:54 PM.

[RooBoonix]

Luckily I hadn't filled the oil yet so I'll take the sump plug out and drain any water that got in there and I'll try again tomorrow with the help of my friend.

Thanks guys i'll report back my results!
Cam.

[grumpy dad]

Hi

looks to me as though you have no washers 

under the head nuts 

so you have bottomed out the nuts

on the thread on the studs 

[RooBoonix]

The head nuts are the flanged type and there were no washers when I took them off.

http://www.minispare...45.aspx|Back to

These are the ones, and I'm 99% sure the threads aren't bottomed out. I'll take a look for sure later though. I've got all the old bits I took off the engine in the shed so I'll look through and see if I can find any.

Cheers,
Cam.

Edited by RooBoonix, 22 September 2014 - 06:48 AM.

[Jordie]

Hi

looks to me as though you have no washers 

under the head nuts 

so you have bottomed out the nuts

on the thread on the studs 

 

The later nuts are flanged and dont require washers unlike the eariler nuts.

 

I'd be removing it and checking/double checking the gasket is the correct way before anything further.

[RooBoonix]

Hi
looks to me as though you have no washers 
under the head nuts 
so you have bottomed out the nuts
on the thread on the studs 

 
The later nuts are flanged and dont require washers unlike the eariler nuts.
 
I'd be removing it and checking/double checking the gasket is the correct way before anything further.

I thought this was the case. I'll post back later with my findings