Broken head stud anxiety

[86Carrera]

There are a lot of posts on broken head studs these days. Never paid much attention because seemed limited to SCs but now seeing more on 3.2s and prediction will get worse as they age.

I had the valves adjusted 3 weeks ago before returning overseas for work, then saw all the posts (boring over here in Japan).

If I saw earlier would have asked mechanic to check but now I'm thinking if any were broken that would have turned up during valve adjustment? Is that a correct assumption or should I give him a call to see if he checked?

Time zone differences make a post here easier than a call to the states.

Also I've noticed for a few months a slight exhaust leak sound at low speeds. Figured it was just exhaust gasket issue now I dunno.

Not the end of the world either way but would feel better knowing head studs are probably OK.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts / opinions.

Pete

[livi]

I am just a rookie, but I would think a broken head stud is likely to reveal itself when the covers come off during a valve adjust. In most posts I have seen, broken studs seem to be spotted when the covers come off.

Then again, I am a tech ignorant and I suppose they can brake and sort of stay in place for a while.

The experts will let you know.

[imcarthur]

They would be VERY evident & fall out or not (see post below) when you remove the valve covers. I know I breathed a sigh of relief when I took my covers off for the 1st time. And you're right, I keep reading about more & more Carreras with problems. From what I have read, inactivity & humidity seem to be contributing factors.

Ian

[kuehl]

86Carrera,

An example of what a PPI is not worth and head studs:

I located an 87 cab in Chicago. Had an experienced tech go out there and do pre purchase inspection or PPI:
and he said the car was 99%.

I flew out there and drove it 1200 some miles home. When I did "my PPI": I found a lose strut, noisey B&B muffler, non functional blinker, bad dme relay, flat on a front tire, bent front rim, broken CV boots, two bent rear rims, spongy brake hoses, oil leaks,
busted convertible top spar, .... I can go on and on.
So much for PPI's, do them yourself.


I heard what sounded like a noisey valve adjuster. When I had the valve covers pulled off for a adjustment the broken head stud was not "evident" .... it did not jump out and land of the floor. The tech helping me with the adjustment just happened to be experienced enough to put a socket on each head stud and then it fell out!

Since the engine had 90k miles on it, we:
replaced all studs with 993 studs,
ring job,
valve job,
new clutch package and flywheel,
new starter,
new alternator,
new oil hoses,
plugs,
cap, rotor and wires,
a few tricks on the valve pin shafts,
and other "stuff".
What the heck, in for a penny, in for a pound.
And I had the once (I hope) life time experience of pullin the motor (without a party, however plenty of Becks on hand for myself) and putting it back in without a lift; there are plenty of DIY how-to's posted.

But, it now runs like new!

So, when you adjust the valves, check each stud "personally". By the way the cause of failure on this puppy's broken stud was corrosion that started with a small nick in the stud's outer coating (so much for OE engineering) and I found a few others waiting in line.

[imcarthur]

Thanks for the added info. So a quick torque check is necessary. I'll edit above so as not to confuse.

Ian

[yelcab1]

Originally posted by kuehl
....
And I had the once (I hope) life time experience of pullin the motor .....

... small nick in the stud's outer coating (so much for OE engineering) and I found a few others waiting in line.

When you have a Porsche 911, pulling the engine is NEVER a once in a life time. That only comes with a Toyota.

OE engineering? We all learn from our mistakes.

[86Carrera]

Many thanks Kuehl. Good learning for Ian and myself. I'll call mechanic and ask him if he checked them during the valve adjustment.

[Nine9six]

IMHO, any mechanic who is worth his salt and performing a valve adjust, should automatically check the head studs. If not, you should find another mechanic.