Head gasket. To tighten or not to tighten. That is the question.

[Paul99]

I had a new head gasket fitted about 600 miles ago after some cly head work

I noticed in the tech manual there is some thought about either leave it alone or just tighten the head bolts or do the full loosen each one and retighten etc.

Pros and cons I guess to each answer. 

Thoughts?  Recommendations?

[Cees Klumper]

Best I recall is that it is advisable to retorque the head bolts after around 1,000 km / 600 miles - somewhat loosen then torque to spec one by one, in the sequence used for the initial installation. But I could be wrong.

(One of my supervisors used to like to say "I'm always right. Only once I thought I was wrong, but even then I was mistaken!")

[WRe]

Hi,
The workshop manual (late version, footnote 2) confirms Cees statement.
...WRe