JTCdudeman

Ok, this should be a fairly simple answer for someone I hope... When I first built my motor I followed the arp head stud info and retorqued them after 1 heat cycle as noted for stretching. Since that time I pulled the head off and put a new head gasket on... Ive been running the head gasket for about 1000 miles and my head gasket has sprung a small coolant leak. In cylinder 1 i have a very small amount of condesation buildup and on startup I get white smoke. Did I need to retorque the head bolts after another heat cycle since I pulled the head and thats most likely why i have a small leak? Im going to pull the head back off and put a new head gasket on there unless retorquing the studs would fix my leak...


EDIT: I run a compression test everytime I get in the car since the first time I turned it over... I consistently have been getting 185 across the board and after the leak started, I still get the SAME numbers... I also have no coolant in the oil and no oil in the coolant... But there is definently coolant in cylinder 1.. 2-3 drops worth.. Anyone?

JTCdudeman

Guys, I would appreciate a reply of any kind quite honestly....


I initially figured I had blown the gasket with the smoking issue I had..(I drive the car once every week or so and am meticulous about everything considering the money spent on the engine could literally buy me a s2000 or something nicer.) It only smoked on one startup after i went into a store for a minute. Once I got it home I checked to find the condensation I mentioned before. I also did the compression test as I mentioned and it stayed consistent... I assumed the gasket was gone up until that point and I deduced it was reasonable to say the head lifted considering the amount of boost I am running and maybe the arp head studs just need a retorquing... Ive yet to have time to tighten the studs or pull the head if needed.


So, what are the internet FI gurus opinions on the matter?

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

Retorque the head studs. In addition I would make sure the studs are tight as well. Ive had 2 of my studs come loose while the nut was torqued down to the proper specs and even retorqued like you did. I have no idea how a stud can loosen up while in tension, they arent supposed to but 2 of them did. I also had a small coolant leak. I wasnt burning coolant but I was pressurizing the coolant system and almost overheated.

After I retorqued the studs I was fine. No more overheating and the head gasket was not replaced.

JTCdudeman

Thanks for the reply.... I guess I will try retorqueing them down before i pull the head... Any advice on getting the coolant out w/o blowing it out the back?


I never mentioned it, but I am running 17psi on a h22a with a T-60... So, lets say head lift is reasonable when it comes down to it...