Stretch bolts

1. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #1 24th May 2008, 14:58

   Hey people. I've just bought a new gasket and head bolts fitted it and ran the car but i need to take the head off again to change a piston which is smoking. Would you think i could use the same bolts and gasket? Its only covered 15 miles or so. Any thoughts would be welcomed
2. RCD-Performance Established Member Joined: Dec 2007 Southampton Posts: 2278

   #2 24th May 2008, 15:00

   yeah should be fine
3. Mark51p Super Moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Wakefield Posts: 14427 Golf GT

   #3 24th May 2008, 15:03

   did you get the head skimmed when you took it off the first time?
   
   as long as you take the bolts out in the correct order then you wont warp the head so wont need skimming. imo for the cost of a new gasket id just get a new one but thats just me. the bolts will be fine to use again mate if they were new when last changed it
4. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #4 24th May 2008, 15:19

   Yeah head was skimmed and new gasket was used with brand new headbolts. So we think we'll be ok?
5. Joesnow Frequent Poster Joined: May 2006 Posts: 691 Mk 1 VTS poseidon blue

   #5 24th May 2008, 15:27

   I'd change the bolts too if I was you. Not worth the trouble that could result…
   
   They are called stretch bolts because they stretch beyond their elastic limit (i think) so when you take them out they will be permanently stretched... if you torque and angle tighten them again, they will probably stretch further... not giving the correct clamping force on the head gasket. They could also snap in the block - imagine the ball ach trying to get those out...
   
   It doesn’t really matter how many miles you’ve done, once they are stretched that’s it…
6. Joesnow Frequent Poster Joined: May 2006 Posts: 691 Mk 1 VTS poseidon blue

   #6 24th May 2008, 15:31

   Same thing with the head gasket… once it’s been squished once you should change it regardless of mileage.
7. ChrisT Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2006 Pontefract Posts: 243 saxo vtr 106 gti

   #7 24th May 2008, 16:55

   Yep needs new bolts and gasket as said above
   
   The gaskets been squashed so its not gonna make a proper seal
   
   And the bolts arent gonna be giving the tension they shud be cos there already stretched
8. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

   #8 24th May 2008, 22:45

   personally i'd always replace with new bolts for the sake of 20quid, but maybe thats just for peice of mind
9. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

   #9 25th May 2008, 03:24

   i would allways use new headbolts as there stretch bolts and there only around £25 for a new set, citroen state u can re-use there head bolts provided there lengths do not exceed 122.6mm (overstretched), but personally i wouldnt chance it myself for the sake of a few notes for new ones as old ones could snap when tightning them up
10. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #10 25th May 2008, 10:15

    The gasket has a viton seal on it, which when the engine heats up, glues both sides of the gasket to the head and block, this is what leaves the black crap on the head and block where the gasket was. so you need to clean up both surfaces and fit a new gasket again.
    
    you sure the smoke isn't just oil burning off from the head being off?