I was using a a new torquing tool to install a new Fel-Pro head gasket on 1998 ej22. I was getting too much creaking in the head bolts and was having a problem with new tool. I got out of torque sequence and had to take the head bolts back out and start over. Can I reuse the head gasket or need to get a new one.

some people say sure go ahead, others say don't risk it on such a large job and cheap part.  it's been asked before, you can search and read the various replies.  when i asked i opted to get another gasket.

 

you could call/google the manufacturer and see what they say.  granted they're likely to just say buy another one...but who knows, maybe they won't and maybe they'd just ship you a new one.

If you never ran the motor or added fluids ,I would reuse it.  Heat as well as pressure is what seats a head gasket, no heat ...then carry on. 

I have seen some head gasket installations that REQUIRE you to loosen ALL of the head the bolts a full 180 degrees and repeat the torquing procedure, for what thats worth. A single head gasket might not be that much for piece of mind either. Is this your car or a customers?

Were you in the final step of the torque sequence? If you were only to the first 90°, you can probably re-use it since you havent yet reached the final crush load on the gasket at that point.

If you were doing the final torque, the gasket isn't going to seal properly.

I agree with that, if you were before the point where you back off 180 degrees util it's loose, you're probably fine.

But also... Imagine pulling the engine back out next weekend to do this job all over again. If that thought makes you wanna light the car on fire, probably just go buy another headgasket.

I checked with Fel-Pro. They said 50-50 chance okay. Why risk it. I'm also trying to eliminate the creaking noise the head gasket bolts were making on first install. I've heard that's from lack of lubrication of head bolts. I dipped them in oil before install. Any thing else I could try. I know if the bolts are creaking there not getting the correct torque. While I'm waiting for a new CDI torque wrench from Amazon I'm leaving the head bolt holes full of oil while engine is on stand. 

Well lubed will help, I always clean out the bolt holes. I take an old head bolt and cut grooves down it, kind of like a tap. Running this in and out a few times in each hole helps clean them up.

 

One really SUPER IMPORTANT THING is to get all the oil out of the head bolt holes!!!!!!! You want a very light coating, no volume of oil in there otherwise you can (and likely will) crack the block from building up pressure. The oil in there has nowhere to go, you're forcing it to do something so the block can be cracked around the bolt holes.

Thanks for the tips. Yes I will let All of the oil drain out of the bolt holes before reinstall the head bolts.

and you're putting oil on the bolt HEADS +  WASHER, correct?

TD

Yes I dipped the bolt in oil up to the washer, let the excess oil drip off and then installed the bolts.

Did you clean the threads on the bolts?

Did you chase the threads in the block?

I cleaned the threads on the bolts with a wire wheel on my bench grinder. I don't own thread chaser. Cleaned the bolt holes by filling with oil and scrubbing with a paint gun cleaner brush,then draining out oil and blowing out with air gun.

 

Maybe I should ask this a new thread, but since this is about  head gaskets, has anyone used the head gasket torquing method demonstrated by Mike Bauer on Youtube. Hes doing it on a ej25 but it should work on ej22 also.

 

Step 1) Using regular Subaru torque sequence, draw all 6 bolts down to just snug on the head.

Step 2) Using regular Subaru torque sequence, torque all 6 bolts to 11ft lbs. Check them a second time to make sure you have achieved 11ft lbs.

Step 3) Using regular Subaru torque sequence, torque bolts one and two to 25 ft  lbs.

Step 4) Using regular Subaru torque sequence, turn All Six bolts 45 degrees twice....your done.

 

This method is if your reusing head bolts, which most people do.

His logic is the standard torque to 22ft lb, then torque to 51ft lb then back off bolts 180 degrees twice is not needed. The reason its not needed is because that procedure is assuming your using new head bolts that need to be stretched.

 

Most people reuse head bolts, so they have already been stretched and cycled thru 100k miles of driving.

Edited October 31, 201510 yr by steve56

I follow the service manual and have never had a gasket blow after replacing it. I've never followed some other random sequence. If torquing it then releasing it doesn't do anything what did I harm, wasting 5 minutes of my time? If it actually does do something then it was worth it.

Yes That's obviously the the safest way. I'm wondering if anyone has actually done it the way I described. His Youtube video has a couple hundred thousand views. So there is a lot  of interest in his methods. I wouldn't try it either unless I got some confirmation from  the experts on this board.