Head gasket - what an idiot

[fix]

Well im abit annoyed with myself for doing something stupid!

I put the wrong setting on the torque wrench when tightening up the head nuts on my 2.1mv, not to far off i did them about 8 or 9 pounds foot lower than what i should have done realised today and nipped them up to the correct torque.

I dont think the extra force will have damaged the sealant on the head gasket but the sealant on the nuts will have ripped when i tightened them.

Im now abit worried as i dont want the nuts to end up leaking, but at the correct torque setting im thinking they should be ok.


What do you guys think?

[Red Westie]

8/9ib/f isn't much, I'm sure no harm has been done, as for the nuts sealing....are there seperate sealing washers or are you talking about something you have added? a smear of silicon perhaps? you will be fine.
Martin

[toomanytoys]

Mmm.. some of the sealant prob has "wiped" away after setting, depending on what you have used.. I'd prob leave them get it running, if they leak then you may have to undo and apply some fresh.. BUT the risk is that the head seals may not then compress a little more to take up the slack... either way you would prob have to fit new head seals.. So I would risk leaving them. the steel is noce and flat, the alloy will "give a fraction" hopefully the sealant will have "filled" any imperfections.

Martin.. no seperate sealing washers, procedure is to apply a smear of sealant and torque up in stages to the max... then leave well alone...

[fix]

Thanks for the help.

I think they will most likely be ok (i hope!)

I used dirko sealent,but have now used it all. If i had some handy i would be tempted to take the head off and re seal everything before having to possibly do it with the engine in the van.

Like you say toomanytoys if i have to take a nut out its going to take pressure off the head gasket, then it might not re seal when i torque it back up again.

What a numpty i am