head bolts??

[H-M3]

how complicated are they to replace? the main head bolts?

[koos]

are you taking the head off? if not, and you want to change the bolts(why) you will have to take the head off anyway to replace the gasket.

[TOURINGDADDY]

u cant just replace the head bolts mate u will ave to do the head gasket

[H-M3]

na its just i had the head done and the chap said that the old ones are fine and that they can snap when trying to replace. But he did change one of the bolts but now its leaking oil quite badly through the one he replaced.

[TOURINGDADDY]

cow boy machinic mate u should always replace head bolts once they have been used once (find a new garage mate)

[Adammcf]

If you take them out and replace each one, one by one it should ok shouldnt it?
BMW did a recall I think on head studs years ago and this must be how they did it.

[TOURINGDADDY]

u shoulnt release any with out replacement of the head gasket

will only cause more probs than its worth and then you'll

[E30Adam]

When any head is replaced you should ALWAYS use new head bolts. They are designed to be used only once as they stretch when you torque them up. If your garage didn't know this then I'd definatley find somewhere else to take your car.

You can't replace the bolts without taking the head back off. I would say take the car back to the garage who did it and demand them to do a proper job but if it was me I'd cut my losses and not let them lay their fingers on it again.

[Adammcf]

I agree, places like this will end up causing more problems than its worth so best not to go back.

[Brianmoooore]

IIRC, when BMW did the recall on the hex headed bolts, the recommended method was to change one bolt at a time without disturbing the head gasket.

[H-M3]

how difiicult are they to change then? its only i tried to tighten the one thats new and it tightens then it just spins free. And the worst thing is its leaking very badly now!!!! I had to go to asda to buy some cheap oil last night to refill b4 driving back home. And this moring it all over on my dads driveway! (gonna Kill me) is there any way I could tighten it? do i need any special tool? its just leaking on the far right(standing from the right) its also creating alot of smoke when driving as the engine gets hot!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rowemeister]

Sounds like a stripped thread.

[H-M3]

Sounds like a stripped thread.

please your making me loud!!!!

what sould i do? can that be rectified?

[rowemeister]

Not sure mate. I would have thought the head needs to come off and the block needs to be re-threaded somehow.

Maybe the headbolt has snapped in which case the head still has to come off and the snapped bolt will need to be removed.

I hope i'm wrong mate.

[Brianmoooore]

Never heard of a stripped head bolt, but there's always a first time I suppose.
Take the bolt out and examine it. If it's all there, with a thread, then you have stripped the block.