htr
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 1,515
- Location
- Central Otago, Southern New Zealand
Well, its all put back together and Ive been for a burn! But Im not happy as I have a very unwanted coolant leak. Coolant is weeping out of the head gasket above the heater hose / temp probe take off point and dribbling down the serial number on the block. It does this hot or cold. I can also see small beads of red coolant along the HG joint in behind the exhaust manifold. I didnt see evidence of this when I initially filled it with a water solution.
Ive thought long and hard over where and how I could have stuffed up and can only suspect two things. The first is when I filled up with a water solution I also added regular kitchen citric acid to give the cooling system a clean. This was flushed out twice prior to filling with red OAT coolant. I have asked around if this solution could have damaged the HG coating, all Ive asked [experienced mechanics] felt that was unlikely.
The second possibility is when I torqued the head down. All Hbolts were new and lubed prior to fitting. The W/shop manual indicated to torque to 20nM initially. This is where I think I made an error. I torqued to 20foot pounds which equals about 27nM. Then I followed procedure with two sequences of 180º. Again the same mechanics feel this is unlikely to be a problem.
The head was skimmed, block face was carefully cleaned all new parts too. I find it hard to believe the new MLS HG couldve been faulty. Head bolt failure is a slim possibility. I carefully filled it each time and bleed it with the bleed points.
A low or dropped liner would show up with oil in the coolant - right? There isnt any signs of that.
Ah well, just glad its end of term and Ive some time to have a look at this. Looks like the head is coming off.
Collective thoughts and wisdom welcome.
Ive thought long and hard over where and how I could have stuffed up and can only suspect two things. The first is when I filled up with a water solution I also added regular kitchen citric acid to give the cooling system a clean. This was flushed out twice prior to filling with red OAT coolant. I have asked around if this solution could have damaged the HG coating, all Ive asked [experienced mechanics] felt that was unlikely.
The second possibility is when I torqued the head down. All Hbolts were new and lubed prior to fitting. The W/shop manual indicated to torque to 20nM initially. This is where I think I made an error. I torqued to 20foot pounds which equals about 27nM. Then I followed procedure with two sequences of 180º. Again the same mechanics feel this is unlikely to be a problem.
The head was skimmed, block face was carefully cleaned all new parts too. I find it hard to believe the new MLS HG couldve been faulty. Head bolt failure is a slim possibility. I carefully filled it each time and bleed it with the bleed points.
A low or dropped liner would show up with oil in the coolant - right? There isnt any signs of that.
Ah well, just glad its end of term and Ive some time to have a look at this. Looks like the head is coming off.
Collective thoughts and wisdom welcome.
