What can I re-use for another rebuild?

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Adammcf
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Post Sat Aug 20, 2005 9:57 pm

Engine went again tonight. One of the valves has bent or something somehow.
Im going to rip it all apart tomorrow and see whats wrong but I want to know what I can re-use when putting it back together -

Can I re-use the head gasket? Its only a month old.
Can the timing belt be re-used?

I know I need to buy new head bolts.

BA***** CARS! :x
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Taylor325i
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Post Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:03 pm

Sorry to hear about that mate. I'd think the timing belt will be ok to re-use but I'd fit a new head gasket. If you re - use the head gasket and it leaks it means you're gonna have to fork out for a new gasket and another set of head bolts. Hope engine damage isn't too severe mate.

Taylor.
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smithy318i
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Post Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:05 pm

You can't re-use a head gasket. EVER.
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Karan
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Post Sat Aug 20, 2005 11:35 pm

new belt aswell im afraid mate!

once they are tensioned u shouldnt reuse them

im surprised engine went pop....

u sure u timed it up right...

i suspect something was loose and cam timing went off.....
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Adammcf
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Post Sat Aug 20, 2005 11:53 pm

Yeah everything was timed up perfect and tight. Cant understand it.
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Adammcf
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Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:02 am

Will the head be ok to put straight back on as long as it isnt damaged or will I have to get it re-faced again?
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smithy318i
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Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:58 am

Adammcf wrote:Will the head be ok to put straight back on as long as it isnt damaged or will I have to get it re-faced again?
shouldnt need to. it only needs doing if the surface is corroded/warped.(several 10s of 1000s of miles)
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tourer-dan
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Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:59 am

Sorry if you've heard this all before........
I did my camshaft a couple of months ago, just took the head off, new cam in, then all back together(new gasket and bolts)
a couple of weeks later I realised the head was cracked, so had to get a new head. (gasket and bolts again)
second time around, the head was stuck really tight and the HG was mullered when it finally came off.

If I was you I would check the surface very carefully for being straight and have a good look under the cam for signs of cracking (although you'd know by now anyway really)

Always use new gaskets for everything
always use new bolts on these engines.
The belt will be ok if it's been fitted recently.
Good luck - hope it all comes right.
Ps - my auto gearbox also packed up requiring a Ԛ£650 rebuild just 70 miles after I put the new head on........goes quite well now though!
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Adammcf
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Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:34 am

Cheers folks, going to start taking it all apart soon. Im not looking forward to seeing inside. Still cant understand what happened.
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