LCR Cylinder head removal

[glangri2]

I need to remove my cylinder head at the weekend, and was wondering wether it is easier to seperate the exhaust manifold from the head or from the turbo.

It looks like it is probably easiest to disconnect the manifold from the Turbo, because it is only 3 bolts and all of them are visible.

Can anyone confirm which is the easiset option?

The Manifold to Turbo Torx bolts are big, but very rusty, last thing I want to do is snap or round them off, and be left with needing to get the Turbo face drilled and retapped !

Cheers
Gary

 

[Ronin225]

Be careful removing either
The turbo uses studs so if trying to undo them it snaps you need to drill and retap then insert another stud, this is not uncommon
How old is the car as i doubt they have ever been removed

 

[Shaunyboy]

You wont snap the e14 torx bolts, jutst a higher chance of rounding the heads off, providing no one has used loctite or same bolts again with a strong arm they should crack off, when you re-assemble use new gasket and bolts or it will blow like feck. Also some times the collar in the turbo comes out instead if the bolt is sezied. trying to get the manifold off would be quite hard in situ without removing the turbo and even then id hate to do it.

 

[ibizacupra]

turbo to mani 3 bolts easiest.. 11mm double hex socket can work well... usually very stiff

 

[glangri2]

OK

1 bolt out, and 2 starting to round off.

I think I have got one more try left before it gets to the stage where I am having to take extreme measures.

Those things are SO tight.

Spoke to a friend mechanic about it, and he said that the next step is to either hammer on a smaller socket, or weld something on that we can grip to better.

Not looking forward to it.

 

[ibizacupra]

apply heat to it can also help
11mm double hex socket, impact gun, heat, wd40 and some luck

 

[Dan1720v]

1 of mine has just rounded off. tips on removal? its the one nearest the bulkhead luckily. Im thinking i'll remove the engine and attack it a bit more easily.

 

[wild willy]

I have used these in the past for rounded bolts to good effect.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-5-piece-bolt-grip-nut-remover-set/96028
I would take a rain check on removing an entire engine for 1 bolt.
When refitting torque correctly. Seat use a hot bolt paste which i assume stops the bolt from working its way loose, personally i use copper grease so i can remove it easier next time round and i've yet to have any work thier way loose, i just wouldn't fit them dry as it is envievitable they will rust or fuse to the turbo. Don't forget new washers also.

 

[Dan1720v]

If the lump came out it'd be getting a new clutch and flywheel aswell. I'm fitting a tubular manifold aswell so wi be fitting studs.

 

[brad1002]

how did you guys get on with the bolts, looking at fitting my manifold want to no worst case?

 

[big rich]

I managed ok when replacing my turbo, they were proper tight but got them out with a bit of sheer skill and brilliance lol! I used a breaker bar and make sure your square on the head and pushing down on it because they have a tendency to want to jump off.

 

[james.l]

absolute dog of a job to remove, heat is your best bet.

 

[Dan1720v]

Get some of the above stud extractors in preparation.

 

[glangri2]

how did you guys get on with the bolts, looking at fitting my manifold want to no worst case?

One of the bolts rounded off good and proper.
We ended up angle grinding a slot on it, and with lots of heat, and hammering it eventually started to come loose.

Pig of a job to get apart, but it all went back together fine with new bolts and copper grease.

That was well over a year go on my LCR, and the engine hasn't missed a beat since !