Can I retorque the head bolts on my subaru forester 2003, I've just recently replaced the head gaskets?

Gaylene Green,


If you already had a heating issue... just skip over all this meaningless RE-Torque "STUFF"

If there was no overheating before this procedure... I would suggest either the WRONG GASKETS were used... or they were somehow reversed blocking a water passage).

TORQUE has two ways to go...
Too loose = leaks (water and/or combustion)
Too TIGHT = Broken bolt/stripped threads

If it will make you happy

Sure... TIGHTEN... and then RE-TIGHTEN... after running.

That USED to be the way it was done... until they came out with WONDERFUL "Modern" head gaskets... (tighter... never looser... and NEVER (MORE) too tight.

If you think your torque is too much... you MUST also follow the REVERSE torque pattern when loosening (else risk a fractured casting (FOR REALS)).

Although I seriously doubt the desired effect...

The answer is SURE...!! Go for it... Re-Torque...

(Could not possibly hurt... unless you do it wrong!)

Just not sure of the "OVERHEAT" diagnosis...
sounds more than a bit odd.


***
If there is any previous history of overheating... I would pursue that as an INDEPENDANT issue.

Thermostat, defective water pump... radiator cap... or crusted up radiator (any or all of the above + rotten casting plugs in the engine).

Head torque... Naaah.