'99 T6 Blown head gasket\cooling system questions

[boosted5cyl]

Thats a bit different to what VADIS said from memory. Basically you go through the tightening sequence in two stages. First tighten all of the bolts, in sequence to 45NM (45Lb/ft). Then go around again and rotate them 103 degrees. So a little past a quarter turn. You can get an attachment that goes on the wrench that shows degrees pretty cheap. I went and got one, rather than eyeballing it for a change.

[mlanctot]

Alright, the head is on hold till I get new head bolts, "Stupid me". I'll find an angle indicator to complete that task. No hurry. I'll have to go to the Dealer and pick up a few of the gaskets missing in the kit. Be back in a few days.

[mlanctot]

New Head bolts and Torque Angle gauge, the Head is back on. I didn't use the cam tool as suggested. I marked the cam before it was removed. Placed the top head and slowly bolted it down. Its a slow process but all seems good. New lower radiator hose, the car has 250,000 miles, time to replace. I'm doing a bathroom renovation in my spare time so tomorrow the intake manifold goes back on and maybe the turbos.

[mlanctot]

Almost a month later and all is completed. I ended up borrowing the CAM Tool from a local shop. I checked the cams just prior to placing the timing belt on. All seems good. Started car up, a few oil leaks from the turbo return pipes. Fixed. Drove and all seems OK. Checked codes and have a stored P1332. Cleared and shall monitor. This was quite a job. Car runs like new.

[lotus4s]

So what ended up being the problem and how did you resolve the cylinder compression issues?

[boosted5cyl]

I didnt and I haven't . Im guessing the older weak readings were from either poor upper end seal (cured with valve job) or coked rings which got decoked during the cleaning process.

Either the rings are shot or the bore is out of round on #2. don't have any intention of fixing it anytime soon, it can just keep burning oil at idle for now. In any event I'm not going to bother unless (read until) it gets a lot worse. I've been running AutoRX in it, hoping for a coked ringpack but no difference so far. I may try "restorer" but really, despite the oil burnage at idle oil consumption is pretty good and im too freakin busy with other stuff to go pulling pistons outta this thing.