16 replies to this topic

[philip663]

Hey all. Rebuilt my engine and have just started to fill it with coolant when I started to notice a little trickle of water down the front of my block =[. It's coming from the head. Iv had both skimmed. Gasket on right, torqued right. I'm stuck with whats gone wrong or how it's messed up.

I'm ready to start it. Iv read somewhere that the gasket can sometimes do this unroll it's initially heat cycled..? True or false. There's not much coming out, just a little..

Thanks Phil

[brad-the-bear]

are you 100% sure its coming from the seal between block and cylinder head???

only because a similar thing happened to mine, turned out it was leaking from the thermostat gasket and dribbling across the joint between head and block.

wipe it all up so there is no trace of water then start the engine and watch it.

[philip663]

Its coming from what I can tell a little but from the opposite end of the block to the thermostat housing and in the middle and then just before the engine number plate.

Gah so frustrating, one problem after another. Minis for you

[brad-the-bear]

from what your saying.... bummer. get your tool box out lol

[philip663]

Nothing's adding up though. Skimmed head and block. Gasket on right.

Should I torque it a bit more?

[freshairmini]

Take it apartcheck for any dirt clean it up, might be a dodgy head gasket maybe. I had a similar problem with mine. I friend suggested blueing the head and block, putting it back together with out the gasket and seeing is there is any high spots.

Turned out mine had a little build up of dirt in the corner of the block which wouldn't let it seat, and water came rushing out the front. But as you said you had the head AND block skimmed so its prlly not that. Might be worth checking tho.

[philip663]

I cleaned it with white spirit then meths before fitting it. I haven't got a garage and it's a wee bit nippy out there =[.

Someone's mentioned replacing the studs as they stretch, not heard that before but was it suppose to be done?

Iv double checked the torque and it's at 50ftlb but it does seem a bit loose, like I can still tighten it up more with relative ease..

I'm really at a pickle with this lol

[Guess-Works.com]

did you use a copper gasket, if so take it off, put it in the bin where it belongs and get a composite one bk450 or AF460 for bigbore, C-AEA647 or cheapie one from a head set for small bore

[Guess-Works.com]

Iv double checked the torque and it's at 50ftlb but it does seem a bit loose, like I can still tighten it up more with relative ease..

or...

get a different torque wrench...

[KernowCooper]

If its at 50lbs and you have water running out without the system being pressurised then something is seriously wrong, I would not torque the head bolts any tighter you risk destroying the firing ring on the gasket,

if its a reskimmed block/head and the water is trickling out where you say I'd strip it down and check the block with a straight edge and the head, then look at the gasket, which one are you using the Payen One?

Head bolts do stretch over a period of time and the race boys replace them after 3 strips, but its unusual to get stud/nut problems on a road engine unless its been apart a lot. Have you made sure the studs/nuts were clean and not lubed before torqued up? std ones are done dry.

silly question what sort of torque wrench do you have and is it calibrated

I'd not be tempted to start it up either in case water is in the bores and you risk Hydraulic Lock and run the risk of a bent con rod

Edited by KernowCooper, 27 November 2012 - 06:34 PM.

[philip663]

Thanks for the replies guys. Looks like my heads coming back off, and iv not even had chance to see it workin yet =[

Iv got this set..
http://www.minispare...MS.aspx|Back to

The torque wrench is old, but it's never let me down in the past. I'll borrow a mates. I'm struggling to see how water could seep out when it's torqued down. Shouldn't take me to long should it?

[philip663]

Ok guys just come and checked it now after leaving it stood a good 24 hours. It's lost vertically no coolant and the towel I left to soak up is damp in places but relatively dry. Some people go on about torquing to 60lbs, would that he a possibility?

[KernowCooper]

48-52lbs is the figure for the head bolts mate and there is no need to go above that figure, what gasket did you use?

just clicked the link you put in your post and it does not say? you wont be happy unless you find the cause otherwise you will have more issues down the road. strip it down mate you know it makes sense

Edited by KernowCooper, 27 November 2012 - 07:56 PM.

[KernowCooper]

Any news Philip? wondered if you have the head off and got to the route of the problem?

[The Principal]

i had exactly that problem from the same place on a 1275 using a copper gasket, replaced it with a black BK450 no problems worked first time