snapped bolt - 16v camshaft cap

[patersom10]

managed to snap one of the bolts that hold the camshaft caps on (i think thats the term) the bridge

anywho, does anyone know where I can get these, gsf & ebay not looking good?

dont really fancy just chucking somthing in the same thread

[mat_fenwick]

Why not? If it the same thread (M7?) and the same strength rating it should be functionally identical.

[BX Bandit]

I'll try and check on citroen net later but I imagine its a standard bolt, although I'm not familiar with the 16v head at all.

What happened to the other half though? Still stuck in the head?

[JayW]

It should just be a 10.9 bolt so any bolt shop will sell you a matching one.

[patersom10]

happy days, thanks.

the other half is in the head but pocking so able to get it out.

this is the first time I have taken a car engine apart so learning along the way.

[citronut]

do you mean a head bolt or the cam cover bolts,

as looking on service citroen it doesnt show cam cap bolts as such, but one in the same as head bolts

regards malcolm

[patersom10]

this

[Kitch]

do you mean a head bolt or the cam cover bolts,

as looking on service citroen it doesnt show cam cap bolts as such, but one in the same as head bolts

regards malcolm

Service Citroen isn't giving you the full story!

[citronut]

do you mean a head bolt or the cam cover bolts,

as looking on service citroen it doesnt show cam cap bolts as such, but one in the same as head bolts

regards malcolm

Service Citroen isn't giving you the full story!

no not nessy celery Kitch, it might/could just be im not looking in the right area

regards malcolm

[themildbunch]

I'm surprised a 10.9 bolt snapped, although I guess they get alot of thermal stress in the head.

Long time ago since I stripped my 16v head but IIRC there's an order to their removal like the head bolts. When I stripped mine down I don't remember any problems but it was the first time I'd done anything like that so I took it very slowly... Somewhere on the net still there should be a PDF of the official Citroen Workshop manual for that head - it's really useful and more detailed than the Haynes..

[patersom10]

I did manage to get the PDF from the 205 forum, engine swap brigade have some uses.

think it was just a weak link.

[patersom10]

found them in Halfords, they sell them in packs of 2

[RobC]

All those bolts were brand new (official citroen bolts) when I rebuilt that engine in 2005 - I seem to remember a tightening / untightening order as well.

I actually had a spare few left after I ordered too many, but sadly they're up in Shrewsbury so not much use to you! Glad you found some anyway.

PS if you need any help / advice on your work I'm just down the road so hit me a PM.

[patersom10]

well you did a good job on it, its on 196k now

head gasket gone and a few perished hoses but im sure it will keep on going past 200k, once I put it all back together

[RobC]

Sorry to hear about the HG - was that due your earlier coolant loss? The 16v is very sensitive to being bled properly when you add coolant, so maybe there was an airlock when you refilled?

Good to know it's still going strong apart from that anyway. It was at about 150,000 when I did the work, and only decided to do it because the valve stem seals were shot and thought 'may as well do the whole engine'. I think the only wear parts I didn't renew were the oil pump chain and little end bearings - I couldn't source them immediately, but wasn't concerned about the wear in them anyway: all other bearings, piston rings, valve stem seals, etc were done though, even though the existing ones were in good condition. It had been a very well treated engine. Before me it actually did have the archetypal 'careful lady owner', and I myself rather anally changed the oil every 3,000 miles!

It pays to be very paranoid about stripping headbolt threads, especially in an alloy block like this: before you put the head back on, be sure to moly-grease the new bolts first, and run them handtight up and down the threads a few times to make sure that the threads are nice and clear and smooth running, otherwise the torque you apply to them will be false and you'll be at risk of snapping bolts or stripping threads when you angle-tighten. This may be old news but always best to repeat it, especially since it's your first attempt

Good luck.