Head Gasket Replacement?

[ffgb]

I have 4000 miles on my rebuilt 1984 vw 1.6N/A motor.  At around 3000 miles, I noticed that I had oil seepage coming from the center area of the cylinder head and head gasket area.  I re-torqued the ARP studs to 90ft/lbs in hopes of stopping the seepage, it didn't work.  I am going to replace the head gasket and use hylomar but was wondering if I should also get the head resurfaced again?  The cylinder head was rebuilt with brand new valves and guides, and it was also resurfaced, as it has only 4000 miles on it too.  I am thinking the head gasket leaked because I didn't re-torque the ARP studs earlier, say after the first 100miles?

[R.O.R-2.0]

i believe that they should have been set to atleast 90 ft lbs the first time..

[ffgb]

I'll torque them to 90ft/lbs with the new head gasket.  Do I still need to do a re-torque after about 100 miles?  If yes, do I back them off a little then torque or just re-torque to 90ft/lbs even though the torque wrench probably won'e even move?

[R.O.R-2.0]

I'll torque them to 90ft/lbs with the new head gasket.  Do I still need to do a re-torque after about 100 miles?  If yes, do I back them off a little then torque or just re-torque to 90ft/lbs even though the torque wrench probably won'e even move?

never in my life have i done the 1000 mile re-torque.. and never had a gasket have an early failure from unknown causes either..

proper procedure is to back one bolt (nut in your case) off at a time, starting in the center, and working to the outer edges, just like normal torquing procedure.. if you still have the torque sequence memorized, then perfect, but the head gasket should come with a torquing guide also..

[sprstu]

I have warped a head by not following to correct sequence when tightening. Are you starting in and working out?
If the head was just cleaned up it should be needed again, unless you can see problems when it comes off.
Where are you buying you HG from, is it a quality part?

[nathan_b]

I don't believe that you can bolt one flat surface (block) to another flat surface (head) and warp it unless there is either extreme torque or extreme heat involved.

[ffgb]

Torque sequence is correct and I used a high quality head gasket (elringer).  I'll put a new head gasket on with some hylomar.  I hope this fixes the problem!