Gaaahh! Son of a *****! I tightened the head bolts in the reverse order.

[tsk]

I just put my head back on (see my previous thread on the timing marks). I had a nice printout there with the removal order. And son of a *****, if I didn't use the removal order to tighten the bolts.

Obviously I should pull off the head and get a new gasket/bolts. Please tell me I don't need to deck the head or anything that extreme?

Thanks. Not a good night anymore.....

[fyremanpat]

you wont have to deck the head again....you might be ok though with what you got. the only reason for the tightening order is to keep equal pressure on the mating surfaces and gasket. im sure someone else will chime in.

[redline380]

So you started outward and worked your way in?

I am kind of torn on whether I would run it or not. It is probably okay, but if it is still all apart, I guess I would get new bolts and a gasket for some cheap insurance.

Head shouldnt have to be decked. Nothing crazy happened.

[old guy]

Tightening the head bolts from the center outward is certainly the best practice to make sure you don’t wrinkle the head gasket. However, tightening from the outside in doesn’t automatically mean you are going to have a problem with the head gasket. As long as you brought everything down evenly a little at a time I doubt you will have any issues.

My recommendation is to go ahead and use it as is and see how it goes.

[tsk]

Yeah, I wrinkled it inwards. I am too much a freak to let it just go. At this point it's $50 and another 2 days. I already pulled it last night and I did check it for flatness. Looked as good as I figure it could be. GRRRR. At this point it's more the time wasted than the money.

[walky_talky20]

TSK, TSK! (had to)

I would just run it. The more critical aspect is that it's done evenly. I wouldn't even worry about it. But if it will keep you up at night, then do what you must. Now is the time.

[diagnosticator]

I agree with "old guy" and "Walky". You are freaking out about this without any technically relevant established facts support an assumed negative effects on the head gasket. I have never seen any technical description of how the gasket could be "wrinkled". The false concept is likely based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the mechanical aspects and physics involved.

Just run the engine normally, there is no reason to worry about the head gasket. It will be OK, as you will find out. The advise you received about this is trustworthy and reliable, provided by experienced technical experts.

[walky_talky20]

^I am slightly surprised by this reply. I am not sure how to feel about it, actually. ;)

[diagnosticator]

Is there a problem with my post? I did not intend on stepping on anyones toes here. If I did, I apologize.

[tsk]

I'm glad the consensus is "you're a schmuck for worrying this much." Half of me agrees with you that it shouldn't matter too much, and knowing how it was seated I tend to agree (that first 40 Nm does nothing more than snug everything up evenly). The other half of me worries about the fact that you do have a specific order to pull off the head (which should be less important).

Regardless, I couldn't sleep with it torqued wrong so tomorrow when I get the new gasket, I'll hopefully torque it right. All I had hooked up was the cooling hoses on the back and put on the timing belt. I spent a lot of time dinking around making sure everything was right in between watching the Super Bowl so it's not a huge loss at this point. I can get back to where I was in less than an hour for sure once I have parts.

[diagnosticator]

I'm glad the consensus is "you're a schmuck for worrying this much." Half of me agrees with you that it shouldn't matter too much, and knowing how it was seated I tend to agree (that first 40 Nm does nothing more than snug everything up evenly). The other half of me worries about the fact that you do have a specific order to pull off the head (which should be less important).

Regardless, I couldn't sleep with it torqued wrong so tomorrow when I get the new gasket, I'll hopefully torque it right. All I had hooked up was the cooling hoses on the back and put on the timing belt. I spent a lot of time dinking around making sure everything was right in between watching the Super Bowl so it's not a huge loss at this point. I can get back to where I was in less than an hour for sure once I have parts.

If you need the reassurance of installing a new gasket, despite advice otherwise, then it's worthwhile for your piece of mind. You need to be confident and satisfied with the results of your repair work.

[walky_talky20]

Is there a problem with my post? I did not intend on stepping on anyones toes here. If I did, I apologize.

John, I'm sorry if that came out wrong. There is nothing wrong with your post at all. No toes stepped on (not that I would mind if you did). I just didn't expect you to agree with me is all. You're always so 'by the book', it was just a little surprising I guess. We're all good.