Crack Head, Looking for some advice....... Options

[John]

I am of the opinion that I have 2 cracked cylinder heads but am looking for advice....

I have a basically stock 2.0L engine (euro pistons & cylinders done 12 years ago or so), and have been noticing what sounds like an exhaust leak but only when the engine is hot (after driving at highway speeds for about an hour). After the car sits for an hour or so and is started back up, there is no more exhaust leak sound.

The exhaust leak seems to be coming from the drivers side so I am assuming that the driver side cylinder head may be cracked.

I have had the heat exchanger off numerous times and tried many times to seal it up better, but the last several times, I have not noticed any black leak marks on the copper gaskets. (So I am past thinking it is a leak between the head and the heat exchanger.)

One strange note: About 10 years ago, I had a similar occurance and I had a spare head so I had new valves and seats installed in it and I put that one on. I don't drive the car very often so I don't put that many miles on it over time.

Is it common for 2.0 cylinder heads (driver side) to develop cracks?
Can they be detected and repaired?
Who does a good job at finding and repairing them?

Do spark plugs sometimes leak when hot? (Come to think of it I haven't checked them in a while....)

Any and all advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Brad Roberts]

I use 12mm copper nuts with M8 flat washers. When I install them I utilize a 1/4 drive ratchet and a 12mm swivel socket. The 1/4 inch drive shorty ratchet keeps me from over torquing them during the install. I set them after the initial install to 12ft lbs.

Jake,

I'll talk to them again.... for years and years now they tell us they cant (TechCraft) I literally have access to over 50 pairs of heads if not more that need to be repaired. Maybe they cant get in there to drill.. I have no idea.. they oculd be blowing smoke up my ass for all I know.


B