yet more questions vr6 head gasket (sorry)

[aaron1980]

Hi i have just changed the head gasket as it was pressurerising the header tank any way i took the head off and had it crack tested skimmed and all the valves re seated i have put the head back on but it wont start and when i did a compression test on it it is now down to between 90-100 which is worse than before i started. so now i have 2 new questions
1, being tight i used the old head bolts. do you think the bolts are too long and stopping the head bolting down tight?
2, i didnt squeeze the oil out of the lifters could this be the problem maybe holding the valves open a tiny bit?
any idears please as i dont feel like pulling apart again

[ianw3321]

 Try putting washers on the head bolts if you think they are bottomig out see if that helps, depends how much you got skimmed off the head.

[aaron1980]

Hi they didnt take much off the head but i didnt know if the bolts streech?

[ianw3321]

Well if you put washers on recheck compression ,if its better then get new bolts. Do they feel like they are tightenig or do they feel solid suddenly?

[aaron1980]

some of them did feel like they pinched now that you say about it but i didnt think about it at the time.
i will give the washers ago thanks. you dont think its the lifters then?

[ianw3321]

Its a process of elimination really try putting washers on a few one at a time torque them recheck the compression if its still down then you will need to take the head back off sort out the lifters, check and if neccessary replace the gasket. Are you 100% sure that you have got the cam timing set properly?

[aaron1980]

I locked the cams with the tool and i marked the crank pully with tipex and was very carefull not to move it

[Wayne]

The head bolts need replacing as they are stretch bolts and should not be reused also the bolts are 3 different lengths so you need to make sure the right bolt is fitted to the correct hole.

[aaron1980]

i kept the bolts in the wright places. do they touch the bottom of the holes then. it looks like i will have to put my hand in my pocket and buy some bolts then lol

[Wayne]

i kept the bolts in the wright places. do they touch the bottom of the holes then. it looks like i will have to put my hand in my pocket and buy some bolts then lol

Yes they do, also (bit late now), you should blow the bolt holes out on the block.