Question about the MEtric Blue headBolts

[jcsomerset]

About to order the Metric blue head bolts -

Can they be used more than once>?

I've discovered some seepages between the cooling and oil passageways - Not sure if it's an intermittant thing or if I've got a blown gasket that's less than a year old - :evil:

I'm going to try replacing/tightening the head bolts down to fix the gasket issue - but if they can only be used one time - I'm more likely to just replace the head gasket altogether; to make sure i'll fix the problem.

I'm hoping one of the "stretch bolts" hasn't snapped off.. cause that'll suck.

TIA guys!

[Beej '86 325es]

No, the head bolts are not reuseable. But they're only $24 from Bav. Auto.

[jcsomerset]

No, the head bolts are not reuseable. But they're only $24 from Bav. Auto.

I'm talking about the metric blue head bolts - these are a different brand found here - http://www.mcmaster.com/

Material
Class 12.9 Blue-Coated Alloy Steel
Head Style
Standard
Drive Style
Hex Socket
System of Measurement
Metric

Thread Size
M10
Length
150 mm
Hex Key Size
8 mm
Thread Style
Standard Right Handed
Thread Length
Partially Threaded


They are not "stretch bolts" which is what the stock bolts are - you can't overtorque the stock bolts - they are likely to snap - which is why I'm going to replace them with these - I would rather install and over torque them to hopefully fix the leakage - as i don't have any nasty white smoke - but there's a "slight" film across the top of the coolant. Otherwise - with the losing coolant (cracked radiator overflow nozzle) issue excepted - the car runs fine - idles like a top and runs like a scalded dog.

A lot of the FI guys use the metric blues -

but if the Metric Blue's will not withstand 2 torquings - then I'll just get a new head gasket and rip the car apart in a weekend or 2 to replace it - which will really pi$$ me off. - I don't have time to schedule a full day to do it - but will if the metric blues won't withstand 2 torquings..

I suppose I could just get 6 boxes of metric blues and be done with it either way.. but then I'd have an extra set if the first replacement fixes the problem..

[draculia]

they're not stretchbolts, you can reuse them

[Madhatter]

^^^

Standard bmw items are torque to yield (thats what the stretch bolts are).

Dont be affraid of the high torque rating of the metric blues either, some owners have been shitting themselves because the torque is a fair bit higher than the standard bolts.

[jcsomerset]

^^^

Standard bmw items are torque to yield (thats what the stretch bolts are).

Dont be affraid of the high torque rating of the metric blues either, some owners have been shitting themselves because the torque is a fair bit higher than the standard bolts.

Thanks - I think it was you that turned me onto them in a previous post -

I'll get them here shortly - replace them one at the time like the book says - and torque them down to probably 70-80 lb's; it that doesnt' fix my issue - then it's head gasket time and I'll have to schedule at least a day for dissassembly/reassembly.... and as stated above -that'll make me cranky.

[Madhatter]

might have been :oops:

im using them for every engine now, kicks the arse out of the tty bolts bmw use, dont have to worry about one snapping and trashing my cam and wrecking my head 8)

[draculia]

[quote="Madhatter"]^^^

Standard bmw items are torque to yield (thats what the stretch bolts are).
quote]

if that was refered to me, i wasn't talking about the oe bolts

[Madhatter]

no, the ^^^ was me saying, the post above is right.

[kowalski]

No, the head bolts are not reuseable. But they're only $24 from Bav. Auto.

24$ american? holy crap i can get them for 10$ can. localy with the hex style heads.

[draculia]

the hex style heads are what everyone says to stay away from. boltheads flying off and whatnot. late style female torx is what you want

[ptownTSI]

i know lots of guys who have used internal hex bolts, never a problem.

[digger]

Whats special about the metric blue bolts?
Are they just like any Metric 12.9 Socket head Capscrews (say like brands such as UNBRAKO, YFS etc? What is the recommended tightening torque and tightening procedure?

What grade are the replacement torx ones plus the original hex head OEM ones. Are both the torx and OEM hex head ones torque to yield or only the torx ones?

Cheers

[mcgrath]

both torx and hex bolts for the m20 are torque to yeild. As far as brand I have no idea if there is a difference. I just installed my 731 head on my eta block and I used the Metric Blues with the copper gasket spray and using the procedures written at e30tech. I have no leaks of any kind and had no problems torquing them down.

go to e30tech.com and go to the turbo section. There is a sticky thread there with all you need to know. Cost me $36.something shipped to my door.

Steven

[SoopaGhetto]

would the metric blues work with the m10 block?