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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: 54321chris on November 23, 2009, 08:11:25 am

Title: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: 54321chris on November 23, 2009, 08:11:25 am

I'm planning on installing ARP head studs on my 1.6td while I have my car out of commission, and I am wondering if I need to replace the head gasket when doing this.  I put a 1.9 metal hg on it just a few months ago.  I'm not planning on pulling the head.

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: dennis on November 23, 2009, 08:29:27 am

I would.

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: Vanagoner on November 23, 2009, 08:51:21 am

I didn't.  I had a HG leak.  I de-torqued the stretch bolts gradually, kept some snug tension on them once loosened, then replaced them one at a time in the sequence with ARP's.  Brought it back up gradually, no more leak.

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: 54321chris on November 23, 2009, 08:59:56 am

Thanks guys.  Anyone else with opinion or experience?

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: Vincent Waldon on November 23, 2009, 12:02:11 pm

Headgaskets are considered single-use by VW and I'd agree, since they squish a bit as they are torqued.  For 40 bucks I always replace 'em... cheap insurance and one less thing to worry about when you are roaring down the highway.

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: Op-Ivy on November 23, 2009, 04:25:34 pm

Quote from: Vincent Waldon on November 23, 2009, 12:02:11 pm

Headgaskets are considered single-use by VW and I'd agree, since they squish a bit as they are torqued.  For 40 bucks I always replace 'em... cheap insurance and one less thing to worry about when you are roaring down the highway.

Agreed. It's good preventative maintenance while you are already in there.

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on November 23, 2009, 07:11:58 pm

I heard of leaving them all torqued and completely de-torquing one at a time and replacing..

Safe or not?

Title: Re: replace head gasket when installing ARP?
Post by: Vanagoner on November 23, 2009, 11:55:31 pm

I can't speak for anyone else, just for what I did and what worked for me.
I de-torqued the stretch bolts as gradually as I could in the standard pattern, but kept the final tension to 20 ft-lbs.  I replaced them one at a time with the head being unmoved and under 20 ft-lbs tension from either the bolts or the studs, until I got all of the studs installed.  I brought them up 10 lbs at a time till I hit 80 (with the molly grease).  I ran it with coolant cap off until up to operating temp. Let it cool and re- torqued one last time to 90 and left it there.  Works fine for me.  YMMV.