Blew a head gasket on my a6..some threads in the block were on the head bolts when I took them out..which one should I use to fix this??

 

heli coil maybe.

 

sure it was heli coiled befor?

 

either one will work.

 

ive heard really good things about the time sert i would definately go with them cause first off there steel and that makes for a stronger thread.

 

You can get heli-coils in all sorts of materials including phosphor bronze, stainless steel and inconel X-750.

Heli-coils require less material to be removed for the install, require less time to prep and install, and can be removed. Timesert look cleaner when installed and don't have a tang at the bottom of the insert. You can use a long bolt without worrying about the tang at the bottom messing with your bolt

 

wonder what would a machine shop charge to redrill the hole and retap it? i mean, that would also be an option.

 

Would have to use a modified stud for this where the bottom half of the stud would be larger than the top half. The new cut threads would have to be larger since the small threads have stripped out... well, unless they can somehow weld something into the block. Then they could cut the factory sized threads into the welded in material, but I know if that's possible.

 

i guess they would have to weld the hole completely shut huh? and who's to say that there won't be any air pockets in there, when you go to re-drill the hole that it could crack. your right, your right.

 

can I cut the tang off??

 

The tang is wire that goes across the diameter of the coil. You put the insertion tool through the coil and it grabs on to the tang. You then screw the coil into the new threads - tool holds on to the tang to twist the coil in. Not sure if there is any way to clip the tang off once it's in. I think you are supposed to just buy heli-coils that are long enough so the bolt won't reach the bottom.

 

http://www.timesert.com/html/install.html

scroll down one of the vids shows head bolt repair

 

On the two helicoils I've done the instructions clearly show how to break the tang off...it was years ago, but I remember it.

 

^^ cool!
It's been years since I messed with them myself.
I just looked it up and yeah - you just break it off with a screwdriver, needle nose pliers or some tool. I never had luck breaking them off myself. I end up twisting the coil and it gets all mangled.