Header Bolts snapped???
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,056
From: Boat Town USA MI
I'm going to pull the heat shield off mine tonight and see exactly HOW the bolt is broken.
If it's just the head of the bolt broken I'm just going to spray the sh*t out of all of them with PB blaster and work the broken one and the rest of them out, replace that gasket, and put all new bolts in it.
We'll see. If it's broken in or flush with the head I won't have a choice but to let the shop I called drill it out. Cause I'm DEFINITELY not going to try my hand at that one.
If it's just the head of the bolt broken I'm just going to spray the sh*t out of all of them with PB blaster and work the broken one and the rest of them out, replace that gasket, and put all new bolts in it.
We'll see. If it's broken in or flush with the head I won't have a choice but to let the shop I called drill it out. Cause I'm DEFINITELY not going to try my hand at that one.
Consider yourself lucky if you can remove the other bolts without breaking at least one of those as well.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 88
They almost always break flush with the head. Similar to Galvanic Corrosion coupled with the I5 vibration sets up a two fold problem. Head bolts break because of vibration, and the carbon steel bolts become anchored in the aluminum head because of the galvanic reaction of the differing metals. You would be better off drilling out the broken bolt with the exhaust manifold in place as a hard guide than trying to remove the others. A bit of wander is not a problem, pay closer attention to dept.
Consider yourself lucky if you can remove the other bolts without breaking at least one of those as well.
Consider yourself lucky if you can remove the other bolts without breaking at least one of those as well.
I guess I'd need one of those 90 degree drills to drill it out, eh?
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 88
Sh*t. I gotta re use my donut gasket and I'm HOPING it doesn't leak. No parts store around has one in stock and it will take 2 days minimum to get one. I'll just re use this one and if it does leak I'll order one then.
It looks to be in good shape and I know people often re use them without problems so hopefully this will be the case.
It looks to be in good shape and I know people often re use them without problems so hopefully this will be the case.
Last edited by bruceg; Jun 6, 2013 at 12:24 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 88
It's great to just hear my motor and exhaust (out the rear!) with no tick tick annoying leaks!
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
I've had the noise/vibration for a little while and so I decided to check my bolts earlier today. Well it looks like I had one snap off also. I guess I'll be taking mine in to the GM dealership when I get some free time to see what they can do.
I attached a pic.
I attached a pic.