head bolts (urgent/bad )

[DrMcDave]

well my head is to the point where all i have left is the head bolts, so i start turning one under my own strength, i mean i was using a lot of force....anyway the head bolt broke. how bad is this?

i know its bad, just don't know how bad

[nando]

it depends.. there was one guy a while back here that was missing a headbolt and he was still driving his car.

I wouldn't do it though, it's probably time to pull the head and replace the bolts and gasket. Getting the old bolt out shouldn't be too hard, any engine mechanic should be able to remove it easily. :)

[DrMcDave]

yeah me and my friend were on a mission to do the head gasket on our own, and well its all but out, except the fucking head bolts. they are consistantly breaking even when i can turn them, under a lot or not so much strength. 4 have broken i think i'll just stop and let someone else try to get them out. i will have to tow my car somewhere but i dunno if i can stand the down time any longer. Nor do i want to start drilling into my block to get bolts out.

[Jordan]

Try flipping the switch on your ratchet to "loosen"

[Charlie]

Try flipping the switch on your ratchet to "loosen"

:ohsnap:

[AdamF 88iS]

IB17mmhexboltsthatalwaysbreak.

Do you have 17mm bolts or some torx head bolts? If you have the 17's, then get somebody with an impact gun to zap them out. Those are known for breaking and have been updated to the torx bolts.

[DrMcDave]

wasn't sure if i could use an impact on the head, i have the updated torx ones but they are breaking under my strength so i assume the impact would just snap them faster.

jordan i have it on loosen but thanx for the tip.