Hey alright, finally popped the HG

[turbodan]

I've been monitoring coolant level for the last few weeks. It hasnt lost much, just a wee bit. Then I saw it while I was welding up a new exhaust this afternoon. Its leaking down the side of the block around the #5 cylinder. Theres no coolant in the oil, and the plugs looked fine last weekend, so I think its just leaking externally. Its not a wet leak, just dry crusty coolant. It really looks like the head gasket, though I haven't ruled out a cracked head or any other strange possibilities.

Time for some metric blues I guess. When I get around to it.

[M. Holtmeier]

Stock head gasket, right?

[turbodan]

Stock gasket, stock head bolts. I knew it was going to sooner or later. No biggie.

[Jeremy]

Might partially explain some of those recent running issues as well.

Any plans for what you're going to use for replcement?

Jeremy

[T_C_D]

Time for some metric blues I guess.

Those are a mistake unless someone has completed the material analysis of them so that a proper tq value can be applied.

Better to use stock bolts than guess at the tq value of metric blues.

Todd

[turbodan]

Ive seen recommendations between 65 and 80 ft-lbs. I'm not sure what to think about them yet.

Whats a set of studs cost?

[///ARINUTS...]

Time for some metric blues I guess.

Those are a mistake unless someone has completed the material analysis of them so that a proper tq value can be applied.

Better to use stock bolts than guess at the tq value of metric blues.

Todd

I agree with Todd, Everyone and their mother jumped on the Metric Blue Band wagon but no one really knows the right torquing procedure. Thats Why I used studs.

[Nebraska_e28]

Time for some metric blues I guess. When I get around to it.

What is metric blues?

[Jeremy]

Head bolts made from 12.9 grade steel instead of whatever material the stock bolts are. Since they stretch differently, you need a different torquing procedure. They're big in the e30 crowd.

Why they're so popular I'm not sure, are they way cheaper than studs or something?

Jeremy

[Boru]

"Metric Blues" are "off the shelf" metric hardware that happen to be tinted blue for identification.

You need to find what torque/stretch is required to apply the correct clamping force.

Look on McMaster Carr.

[turbodan]

They'd be about 35 bucks to do an M20. I dont know what studs cost. I bet its into the 100's. Its not really a matter of cost. I'll buy whatever I need, but a lot of the e30 guys are using the "metric blues" with stock head gaskets.

I sent them a message about the bolts, I'll see if they can tell me some more about torque for these things.