'95 sidekick head gasket problem

stinger · 08-21-2008, 09:28 AM

I bought my '95 sidekick (16v auto mfi), with a burnt valve. It had around 130,000 miles on it at the time, so I removed head, installed new valve, had head presure checked and planed, checked block and reassembled with new gaskets. It ran fine till Dec. 2007 at around 175k when head gasket failed again, leaking into cylinder 2. Did same, had head checked, checked block, installed new head gasket and torqued to spec. About 5 months later I noticed slower start in morning and cylinder #2 had coolant in it again, so I checked head bolts and it seems like exhaust side bolts needed retorquing. I've been driving it since but there is still coolant leaking into #2 cylinder.
My question is; is it common for head gaskets to go that quick. I did everything by the book but am I missing something? Why would head bolts need retorquing on exhaust side? Any ideas since I will be changing the head gasket again before it gets cold?....

Thanks

SuzukiDon · 08-21-2008, 01:01 PM

Clogged catalytic converter would casue exhaust side bolt issues. Other than that I would replace the head.

CodyJ · 08-21-2008, 05:11 PM

After you torque, torque again for reassurance after driving some. You could also try some locktyte (the correct type) on your bolts along with proper torque.

SuzukiDon · 08-21-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodyJ

After you torque, torque again for reassurance after driving some. You could also try some locktyte (the correct type) on your bolts along with proper torque.

You never ever Lock-Tite head bolts!