Raceware and Diesel (was: Tightening headbolts...)

[drew at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (Drew MacPherson)]

I've used the bolts on 2 1.6NA and 2 1.6TD engines.  Typically the
failures have been compression gasses leaking into the coolant jacket and
oil/coolant leaking externally.  Time to failure varied from instantaneous 
to 8,000 km (5000 miles)  I talked with Raceware about the problem, and 
after going through the usual prattle (did you use quality head gaskets?  
did you follow the instruction procedures?  Did you use a calibrated 
torque wrench? etc.) I came to the conclusion that the bolts were fubar, 
to which Raceware replied "unlikely, but we will repalce them if you like" 
I indicated I would like to replace them, but never heard back from them.  
Subsequently the bolts still sit on the shelf, and probably will until I 
decide to hawk them on e-bay or something... :)

The one other person I've talked to that was using racewares on a 
diesel had a gasket failure with them and ended up going back to 
stretch bolts.

I'm running 13-14 psi on my 1.6TD and the current gasket is holding up 
well (damned intercooler end tank seals are leaking though.) My next head 
gasket is going to be with the MLS 1.9 head gasket - which does not 
require a retorque like the fibre 1.6 gasket does.

Drew


On Tue, 3 Feb 2004, chris gonzalez wrote:

> This is my 1st time with the raceware fasteners. So far, so good, but
> time will tell if they hold their torque. I will be very upset if I have
> to change that diesel gasket again, especially after the cost of those
> bolts! What kind of leaks did your previous engine develop?

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