MinkyMike

yeah i didn't know how exact it had to be, but yeah lol, guessing marking it like you say would of been just as effective !

nah I didn't, I used new head bolts, that was an old photo I added the green circles to, I haven't taken new photos s yet I just wanted to explain what I did wrong

if it don't work I honestly feel like getting rid of it :/, I've spent so much money lol - that's the trouble with me, I don't like just getting rid of things if I can fix them or at least try, but when do you say no?

I've just got the inlet manifold nuts to go on, thermostat housing nuts, oil and filter change... spark plugs to go back in(new) and coil pack, and I'm gonna do a few coolant flushes the water was full of oil :/ - also the initial valve settings..

yeah that's exactly my thoughts and why I didn't, but there all in now, so .... fingers crossed

that's true, but the angle meter thing i was using to try and achieve the perfect 90 degree was a nightmare, just awkward to use :/ , didn't fancy doing them all again. (but probably I should of)

yeah there in now, bit of a faf, torqued to 25nm, just hoping i didn't cross thread the one, it seemed to be hard to turn and going in wonky, so I took it out and tried again(after hitting the thing with a hyde hammer to line it up better), and it seemed to go in better(turned easier like the rest), just hoping I have not caused any damage. I did shine a torch in the hole and didn't see any cracks etc, tomorrow will tell, but yep, another lesson learned. it's all experience isn't it

Run out of time it got dark.. nightmare I made the mistake of torquing all the head bolts down before putting the 4 rocker arm bolts in by hand , they wouldn't line up! What an absolute mare! Lesson learned, if anyone else does this job put all bolts in by hand first before torquing anything ! UPDATE to explain. (I had torqued all the head bolts then these wouldn't line up! I little bit of hitting them with the hammer nudging them seemed to do the trick, but not my best line of thought! proper annoyed with myself, no way was I going to undo all them head bolts)

Hehe yep just got all the water out the head bolt holes with a wooden skewer and pushing a thin rag down each one.. there all dry as a bone now.. oh well here goes

Been cleaning this for 2 hrs.. there was lots of carbon on the pistons very difficult to get off..

Yes mate they did that for me as well, £70

Great place mate, proper old school nice fellas

Here are the photos they've done a lovely job highly recommend, very clean. Hehe I did ask them if I could put it all back together as I didn't touch the valve screws taking it off etc, but they was like no, it wont start, you have to do the initial setup again, they also let me take a photo of there book, which I'm sure is the same as what TMB provided, I'll share that image anyway! Gonna start a fresh and put it all back together tomorrow, I've put all the new hydraulic lifters in, the old ones was quite difficult to get out, kept falling off the magnet, but I managed it. Just need to give the cylinder block a good clean.

Well they've just phoned so going to get it in a bit, I'll post photos of it..

I wonder if its been done before, but incorrectly? to be honest my gf brought this car before we got together, it only had about 50k phoned the place, I haven't had chance yet hopefully tomorrow! Bah Humbug! Looks like I'll be begging a lift to work if they don't get it back to me by Thursday.

The corner looks a bit worn away so it's difficult to tell, but I don't think it is.. UPDATE: On closer inspection.. (magnifying the image) It looks a lot like I can see the lettering TEM .... ? Although I could be wrong lol!

No way ! going to give it a good clean this afternoon I was going to drop the new head bolts into the holes to stop and debris getting in there while I clean, was going to use the green side of a sponge to clean with petrol then apply a layer of engine oil once done and might get the hoover out first also

ah right, thanks

do you know if they require priming with oil before fitting? or just drop them straight in?

Yes I've already brought new ones..

Yes dude, it definitely looks like it's de laminating, like wet cardboard puffed up and peeling.. very strange. Like yellow looking, the new gasket doesn't have this colour. There's all mayonnaise in the rocker cover so I presume oil in the water yes

So, it's off and at Bromsgrove engine services. Here's the carnage! There was sludge on 2 of the Head Bolts What you all reckon?

Oh well here goes... pictures to follow damn its cold to do this.

yeah your right, haha I'm just stalling, I just know I wouldn't be happy anyway knowing I hadn't done it!

https://workshop-manuals.com/skoda/fabia-mk1/drive_unit/1.0/37;_1.4/44;_1.4/50_kw_mpi_engine/engine_cylinder_head_valve_gear/repairing_cylinder_head/basic_setting_of_hydraulic_valve_clearance_compensation/ Note The basic setting of the hydraulic valve clearance compensation must not be carried out again, if only the cylinder head gasket is replaced. is it possible that i may get anyway with even missing with this? I know I'm replacing the tappets as well, but surely this wouldn't make any difference.. is it worth trying without messing first? edit.. just spotted this at the bottom After installing new hydraulic balancing elements, the engine must not be started for about 30 minutes. Hydraulic compensation elements must settle (otherwise valves may remain constantly open and strike the piston). ummm...lol what a way to give me a heart attack