So that is what a Barrel nut is!

[1980 911 sc]

OK so I have been goin crazy over this noise I hear under acceleration....

I got the drivers side exhaust valve cover off to take a peek, fearing broken studs.....i find a completed unscrewed nut on the outside of cylinder 1.

I hear you cant really retorque them correctly....but I guess all I can do is screw it back on and torque it down as best I can....

I think this is good news as I found a problem and it isnt a broken stud....

Has anyone else ever found the nuts to just come loose like this?

[cowtown]

Originally posted by 1980 911 sc

I hear you cant really retorque them correctly....but I guess all I can do is screw it back on and torque it down as best I can....

I don't understand this - are you saying that you can't retorque your specific stud nut, or that "in general," you can't retorque?

You should be able to get a torque wrench in there and it should hold torque over time...it's common to check head stud nut torque at valve adjustments.

[Pat S]

What engine do you have? If it's a 2.7 then you more than likely have a pulled headstud. They pull out just enought to loosed the nut to where it vibrates off.

I had no less than six of these. I didn't even attempt to retighten and just rebuilt. Do some searches on pulled head studs, time-certs or case savers to get lots and lots of info, but be-warned, it's scary (read as $$$$).

If you only have one, You can try retorquing it. If it is pulled it will come loose again someday.

You do risk damaging the cylinder to head seal areas if you can't maintain a good seal there.

Pat

[azasadny]

I just had yhe same thing happen to me (barrel nut on cyl #1 was completely off the head stud, but I was able to put in back on, torque it and it held. Am I buying any time here?

[emcon5]

Originally posted by Pat S
What engine do you have? If it's a 2.7 then you more than likely have a pulled headstud.

I am guessing by his handle, "1980 911 sc" he may have a 1980 911sc.

I haven't had a problem getting a torque wrench in there. All you need is the correct size allen head socket.

Tom

[Wayne 962]

Having a loose nut in there is usually not a good sign...

-Wayne

[red-beard]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Having a loose nut in there is usually not a good sign...

-Wayne

There are lots of loose nuts in here!

[Doug Steinel]

Wayne, that is the understatement of the year.