^^ that's all very nice, but it's unlikely to be a torx head bolt, they are normally an M12 spline

^^ that's all very nice, but it's unlikely to be a torx head bolt, they are normally an M12 spline

Ah balls. I'll have a look for one of them instead. I'm guessing the Torx bit is a 'suitable alternative' then? Don't really want to bodge this job lol

Nope, Torx is not an alternative! :-) GSF do a spline bit kit for £6.99 including an M12. Think it's only 3/8" drive though.

^^ that's all very nice, but it's unlikely to be a torx head bolt, they are normally an M12 spline

Ah balls. I'll have a look for one of them instead. I'm guessing the Torx bit is a 'suitable alternative' then? Don't really want to bodge this job lol

Well, my torx bits worked perfectly well for the head bolts on the ALL engine. Didn't require any downward pressure to keep them seated, didn't pop out, grind or anything, and no probs getting to the required torque. Like I said, I didn't buy the bits specifically for this job, I got them for other work on my Passat. I seem to remember only paying £6 for mine from ebay - the kit looks just like the one I linked to except the case was red... I assume any cheap torx kit would be the same kind of quality as mine.

I'll try to find an old head bolt when I pop home at lunchtime and check if the bolts are actually torx on the ALL engine or if they were actually something else and the torx just fitted... Obviously I can't vouch for the bolts on an APQ, although it would seem odd that they'd use different standards on otherwise similar engines of the same age....

i did an APQ head + gasket on sunday so can assure you they use the spline drive, golf mk4/ audi a3's etc etc use a torx bit but isn't a normal one but a special shaped one with flat edged teeth not rounded. you can use a normal one if you tat it in with a hammer, mine was brand new torx set so last ime i did an a3 head i filed the rounded edges down.

it's a shame you're far away i'd do you a good price on a hg and i could give you the spare mpi bits i have left.

Olly

Well, my torx bits worked perfectly well for the head bolts on the ALL engine.

yes, some engines do use a torx bit, and some of the 20v engines use a ribe bit, but the vast majority of vw engines use a spline bit...

also sometimes when you buy a new head bolt set for an engine with torx bolts they are replaced by spline ones

Thanks chaps, I'm not going to be home to do it next until Easter anyway so I've got a few weeks to get all the right bits together.

Olly, can you recommend anywhere good to get the bolts and HG for an APQ, or did you get yours from GSF? I'm not sure if they have all the right gear or not and didnt get a chance to go there today.

Also, for the APQ head bolts.. do they require a washer each aswell?

Well, my torx bits worked perfectly well for the head bolts on the ALL engine.

Maybe as yours is an ally block the bolts are different? I know the AER and ALL ally blocks have different tightening sequences don't they.. shot in dark though tbh

did my headgasket pal, different engine but shouldnt be to different.

polo 1.4 AEX, headgasket and bolts £36. (bolts usualy come with the wahers already in place)

This was at my local auto factors :)

For £36 its well worth finding out how to do a HG, even if u scrap the car :)

OK chaps beenoing a bit more digging and preparation into this, I have the following queries:

1 - Will I need a 1/2" drive torque wrench for the head bolts, or could I get away with a 3/8" drive? (Can't remember the torques off the top of my head). Only reason I ask is most of the M12 spline bits I have found are 3/8" drive. If I'm using a 1/2" torque wrench with a reducer to 3/8", then I'm guessing a 3/8" drive wrench would survive anyway?

Or will I need a 1/2" drive M12 spline bit aswell?

2 - How deep/accessible are the bolts into the head, so how long does the spline bit have to be for the Polo head? I'm looking at getting a 75mm long bit, will that be long enough when in a 10mm socket and on the torque wrench? Or will I need to go for 100mm? Or will I need an extension anyway? What have you all used?

Sorry for the many frivelous questions, just want to make sure I have EVERYTHING bought and planned before starting this.

Thanks again

head gasket set £25

head bolt's £10

gsf torqs tool for head bolts its 1/2 in drive £6.99

even better if you have a torq rench and angle gauge

you can use a short m12 spline socket like a halfords one, but you will need an extension bar on it because it's recessed into the head... it's ok to use a 3/8 drive socket with an appropriate drive adaptor, but you will need a breaker bar to do the angle tightening stages of the head bolts... you can get away without using a angle gauge and just do it by eye so to speak!..

i'm not sure what you mean when you say 10mm socket but i assume you mean those spline bits which you can interchange and use the same sockety thing, try to avoid using those, they are crap!!

you can use a short m12 spline socket like a halfords one, but you will need an extension bar on it because it's recessed into the head... it's ok to use a 3/8 drive socket with an appropriate drive adaptor, but you will need a breaker bar to do the angle tightening stages of the head bolts... you can get away without using a angle gauge and just do it by eye so to speak!..

i'm not sure what you mean when you say 10mm socket but i assume you mean those spline bits which you can interchange and use the same sockety thing, try to avoid using those, they are crap!!

lol yeah I was going to go for one of these and use a normal 3/8" drive 10mm socket on it, but I shall heed your advice and avoid it now I think.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

g40dabbsy, you mentioned GSF do a tool for 6.99 to fit the head bolts, isn't this a torx tool? i've been previously discouraged from using a torx bit instead of a spline drive, what exactly would the difference be? surely if GSF sell me the head bolts they can sell me the appropriate tool to tighten them.. right?

i'm still unsure on the type of torque wrench to get though, 1/2" drive or will i be ok to use a 3/8" drive? i checked on the torques and it the bolts don't exceed 40 ft.lbs in the actual measuring stage, and i've got a dam gd breaker bar to do the 90 degree final stage. this torque wrench is rated at 80 ft.lbs, surely that will do the job?

the actual range of torque settings for a 3/8 and 1/2 wrench wont be that different to be honest... the tightest measured stage you will find anywhere on your polo will be 60nM iirc..

i would go for the 1/2 drive one though..