Diagnose broken head stud...

[motogman]

how does one detect a broken head stud?
What are the tell tale signs to look for?
Which ones are most prone to failure?
What was the design weakness that results in this problem?

[Joe Bob]

Missing nut when you take off the valve covers or one rattling around in a bath of oil.....2.7s pull studs, 3.0 break them. Usually on the bottom.....3.0s are dilivar an steel on top....

[motogman]

What about leakage or other signs?

I understand they need replaed but what are the risks of driving with a broken stud for a few months until the winter project season?

[KNS]

You may sometimes see a black, oily residue on the undersides (the fins) of the cylinder. Sometimes, while accelerating, you can hear a "phat, phat, phat" sound.
Other times there are few tell-tale signs...

[motogman]

you can hear a "phat, phat, phat" sound.

hmmmmm... I used to hear that sound around a co-worker.... but he wern't no Porsche...

[Peter Zimmermann]

You might find this re-print of another thread helpful...

Cylinder Head Studs

1977. Porsche was well aware of the problems associated with the 2.7 liter engine with its pulled cylinder head retaining studs following a repair that required cylinder head removal; sometimes the studs would pull without apparent reason. Porsche knew about thermal expansion, and had used, since the early ‘70s, in racing engines, a cylinder head stud made from an alloy called dilavar, while all street engines were assembled with steel head studs.

Dilavar studs, first used in 930 Turbo Carrera engines, were found to have roughly the same thermal expansion properties as both aluminum and magnesium, which, in theory, would greatly reduce head stud stress at higher engine temperatures. It’s been written that steel studs, on the other hand, have an expansion rate roughly half that of the aluminum cylinders and cylinder heads that they hold together, which put extreme loads on the crankcase and the studs themselves. Dilavar studs, a non-magnetic steel alloy, found their way into 911S production part way into the ’77 year, but the studs were only used in the bottom twelve, exhaust side, positions (each 911 engine uses 24 studs, 4 per cylinder head). A thoroughly tested no-brainer, or an experiment, I don’t think that anyone knows the answer to that except for a select few people at Porsche. The first dilavar studs were a shiny, brushed finish, similar to many modern kitchen cabinet and drawer pulls, with a color closer to silver than to light gold. Their purpose was to stabilize cylinder head torque through the temperature range that the typical 911 engine ran at. I’m sure that the factory hoped that Dilavar studs would also be the cure for pulled head studs in magnesium engine cases. Because the thermal expansion rate between early steel studs, and the alloys that they secured, were quite different, the change was made.

1980. The first improvement to dilavar studs was made for 1980 SCs, which proved that Porsche was committed to their use. The stud changed in appearance, to an almost jewelry gold finish. For this design change to happen so early into the use of dilavar, Porsche must have seen, and not liked, corrosive activity on the first generation stud. Factory literature states that Porsche’s original philosophy of using twelve upper studs made of conventional steel, and twelve lower studs made of Dilavar remained consistent beyond the 1980 models. At some point Dilavar studs were again changed, and the newer version was coated with a gloss-black paint-like substance obviously designed to withstand corrosion. This change was thought to have been made during 1981 production, or at the outset of the 1982 build run.

OK, you’ve read the first part of this chapter and are probably wondering why. Well, if you own a ’78-81 SC (or a '77 911S) the subject matter above could easily make you about $3K poorer. Head studs break. Some more often than others, but mostly the problem occurs with the uncoated, early studs, followed by the second generation, also uncoated, studs. The studs break about two inches from the end where the head nut screws on; they are obviously susceptible to corrosion at that point. A fastener such as a stud, or bolt, is under constant stress, from the time that it is tightened until the time that it’s loosened. The act of applying torque to a fastener is the actual stretching of, in this case, the stud. Enter corrosion, which attacks where it can, and begins to eat away at the metal. Remember, dilavar is a steel alloy, it is not immune to corrosion, actually far from it. At some point in its life, a corroded head stud will snap at its weakest point, and will no longer provide the fastened strength that a cylinder head requires at each of four corners.

Head studs break on low mileage cars; perhaps more often than on high mileage cars. “How can that be?” one might ask. No one knows the answer, but I know it to be true. I also know that it doesn’t happen to all cars, maybe even less than ten percent of each involved year. My shop replaced head studs on far more cars with less than 50K miles on the odometer, than with more than 100K miles. It can create a bit of a conundrum, the cars that can be considered garage queens, and are obviously the most desirable to find and buy, are the ones that have this potentially expensive time bomb lurking in the engine bay.

FAQs:

“How does one know when a head stud is broken?” All 911s built between 1978 and 1989 have the same maintenance requirement for what is normally referred to as a major service – typically required at about 15,000 miles. That service consists of a valve adjustment, oil and filter change, engine tune up and other items. In order to perform a valve adjustment, the valve covers, aka rocker covers or rocker arm covers, must be removed. There are four covers per engine, and are usually referred to as intake (upper) covers and exhaust (lower) covers. During removal of the lower covers I have been hit on the foot by a two inch long piece of a head stud, with the cylinder head retaining nut still on it. Sometimes the broken piece will fall out; sometimes it will hide in a recess in the camshaft housing casting. A normal major service inspection should include, especially on high-risk cars, a visual to verify that all of the studs/nuts are intact.

“What is the immediate symptom?” Usually there is no symptom, especially on conservatively used, commuter or weekend cars. I’m aware of cars that have been driven thousands of miles after a broken head stud was diagnosed, with no negative result.

“When does stud replacement become something more expensive?” If one or more broken studs are discovered during a major service and the needed repair is ignored, at some point a corner of a cylinder head, usually the corner with the broken stud, will work loose enough to leak combustion (the gases that are supposed to leave the combustion chamber via the exhaust valve). From the very moment exhaust gases begin to leak out between the cylinder and cylinder head the process of erosion begins. Eventually a cylinder, possibly even a cylinder head, will be damaged beyond repair.

“Is there a symptom when it’s almost too late to do the basic stud replacement without extra cost?” Yes, the driver will hear a distinct and rapid “pop, pop, pop…” during acceleration; louder with a cold engine than a warm engine.

“Is there any way to ascertain the presence of a broken stud without hearing the popping noise, or removing the valve covers?” With the car raised up enough to see the bottom of the engine, a flashlight examination can be done of the areas where the cylinders and cylinder heads join. Those areas should be dry and clean. If there is a black, crusty layer that appears to be burned oil, there is a chance that the engine has one or more broken head studs where the buildup is the heaviest. However, a broken head stud is not always responsible for this condition, sometimes it is from a tiny imperfection in a machined surface, and no immediate repair is required.

“If my engine has broken studs can the job be done so the repaired engine is a long-life unit?” Going by everything that is known today, the current generation of cylinder head studs, developed for the 993, should be trouble free for at least the service life of the engine that they’re in.

“If my engine was originally fitted with steel upper studs, and Dilavar lower studs, should all 24 studs be updated to Dilavar?” Porsche must have done temperature analysis regarding the required expansion of the upper and lower studs, but I’ve not seen a technical bulletin advising the correct way to handle this. My shop found evidence of corrosion on original, steel upper studs, so our policy was to install 24 new Dilavar studs on engines with corrosion. We also re-used steel upper studs when they were in fine condition. Follow up inspections showed no adverse results regarding those repairs.

“Are the black-coated generation of studs, used since 1981 (for 1982 models), the latest generation Dilavar?” No, Porsche developed a new Dilavar stud for 993 models (1995-1998), and 993 studs should be used for all repairs.

“Can anyone do this repair?” Usually you’re better off with a seasoned professional when 911 engine repairs are needed. There are an assortment of special tools needed to perform stud replacement, and it always helps for your technician to have a set of factory repair manuals on hand as well. There is no really good answer for this question, because there are probably better DIYers out there than the mechanic at the local dealer. My advice is to do your homework, ask every question that you can think of, get referrals, and then check out the shop you’re thinking of using. When you get there and you don’t see anything but a clapped-out 924 and a bunch of 3-series BMWs, rethink your choice.

[motogman]

Peter.

Thank you. that bit is extremely useful and shares a great deal of knowledge.

unfortunately. I have heard a strange noise occasionally. sounds like it might be a winter project. I need to to a valve adjustment sometime soon so will find out for sure. in the mean time more research and more driving!

[Joe Bob]

Phat, Phat....or can be described as playing cards in bicycle spokes......

[5String43]

Phat-phat-phat? Yes, and loud, at that. Ask me how I know, many thousands of dollars and almost a year later. But so far, so good with the fresh top end.

[patssle]

Great post Peter, thanks!

I've been having some trouble with my exhaust popping with my new carbs installed. Can't get it to go away and I also have some oily stuff on the underside of the heads on the fins.

I'll be taking the valve covers off shortly and be holding my breath....

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by motogman

how does one detect a broken head stud?
What are the tell tale signs to look for?
Which ones are most prone to failure?
What was the design weakness that results in this problem?

motogman,

Whether you have a broken head stud or not, the best way to find out is by visual inspection. Remove the valve covers (intake and exhaust) and perform a visual inspection of the 24 cylinder head studs. Most of the breakage occur at the exhaust section where the Dilavar (non-magnetic) studs are installed. A missing barrel nut is an indicative of the failure. With my limited experience with the 3.0 liter SC engines, all the broken head studs (Dilavar) were all located at the left bank (cyl.1-2-3). Don't know the specific reasons and just my observation after inspecting 8 engines.

Tony

[motogman]

I have planned to do a valve adjustment - just havn't gotten some time to do it - when I do I will find out for sure.

In the mean time I expect to seek info on the replacement process and what all should be undertaken when doing this repair (in case it is needed).

Can any of you suggest good threads or reading materil?.. Peter Z - I suspect you have some excellent suggestions on this...

[patssle]

Is this the correct tool for torque-checking the head studs? Any thoughts to who carries them in store, so I don't have to run around?

[Flat6pac]

Not a good idea to retorque your head studs unless you really want to do a top end...
Bruce

[Joe Bob]

I agree...if they are loose, they are already broken, stretched or pulling from the case.

If you REALLY need to know, turn them a bit. Any of them loose?

With a BRIGHT light. Compare the thread turns outside the nut to the others......otherwise, do a Marlene Dietrich on 'em, leave them alone.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

Not a good idea to retorque your head studs unless you really want to do a top end...
Bruce

Excuse my ignorance but I thought the head studs were checked with every valve adjustment? I know of at least one time when the head gasket (in a 3.0L) blew out and was flattened by such a re-torquing.... guess something must have moved?

[patssle]

Not to re-torque, I read that just make sure they are snug and not broken? They don't always just fall out when they are broken?

[azasadny]

When my head studs pulled, the barrel nuts would turn and never get "tight".

[schumicat]

autozone would normally have those in stock. any FLAPS really.

Originally Posted by patssle

Is this the correct tool for torque-checking the head studs? Any thoughts to who carries them in store, so I don't have to run around?

[swhite7477]

"At some point Dilavar studs were again changed, and the newer version was coated with a gloss-black paint-like substance obviously designed to withstand corrosion. This change was thought to have been made during 1981 production, or at the outset of the 1982 build run."

Does this mean later SC's had improved (Black)Dilavar studs and have a lower failure rate?