How to torque the head bolt(s) after adjusting rocker arms?

[Apostle]

Hello everyone,

I need an expert advice.

Yesterday, for the first time I decided to remove excess slack in the rocker arms and then adjust the valves (this operation I've done several times already). But now I'm in doubt... The manual, this forum (and some other materials that I found on-line) says that the head bolt (the one that you loose to adjust rocket arms) must be tighten to 20NM + 180 degree. So, I followed this advice exactly. But just before I was ready to put cylinder cover back one thought hit me and since then I'm in doubt (the cylinder is still open. I didn't close it. Decided to check with you before messing with the second one).

So, what exactly bothers me?

I have R1150R. My bike is about 13,000 miles now. I always serviced it myself, except the first service (600 miles). Following my friend's advice I let BMW service to do the first 600 miles service. So, according to the manual as part of the 600 miles service BMW dealer must retorque head bolts to 20NM... and add another 180 degree. And this is the point that bothers me... The dealership that did that 600 miles service doesn't exist anymore. It was a very small shop that disappeared soon after I bought my bike. I'm sure they often tried to cut corners to save on service costs. I wonder if this procedure (re-torqueing all head bolts to 20NM + 180 degree) was ever done.


In other words I'm facing two scenarios now:


1) The dealer did a good job and at 600 miles service re-torqued head bolts to the spec 20NM and added 180.

2) The dealer DIDN'T do a good job and at 600 miles service didn't touch head bolts at all, so they have factory 20NM torque without additional 180 degree (somehow I believe it is most likely)


I have a dilemma now...

If scenario 1) is true, then I must be OK, since yesterday I torqued one head bolt (the one that I loosed to adjust rocker arms) to 20NM and added 180 degree after that.

But what if scenario 2) is true?!

In this case I will have only one bolt torqued to 20NM+180, but the rest are still be factory tourqued to just 20NM (without 180 degree added).

I hope you understand what I'm trying to say here... (English is not my native language. Sorry for all these typos).

What would be your advice, guys? Should I loose all 4 head bolts again and re-tourque them to 20NM+180 just to be sure all of them are the same (assuming that the dealer never done it during 600 service)? Initially I thought that must be the solution, but my concern is that if it was done before (scenario 1) then I probably have a good chance to “destroy” the gasket... I heard this gasket does not like to be re-torqued many times.

I need your opinion ASAP! I'm loosing my sleep over this. Seriously!

Thanks,
Apostle

[MikeCam]

1) You worry too much.
2) You have no basis for your assumptions, only fear.
3) Regardless of what the dealer did (or did not do) the bike has run with no problems and been maintained properly by you.
4) Stick to the correct procedure for re-torquing only the bolts involved in the rocker arm adjustment and ignore the rest.
5) Go for a long, hard ride. Include several heat cycles, vigorous shifting, new roads and old favorites.
If nothing bad happens, then you did it right.

[Ves]

Just torque them all right and give yourself some peace of mind. Nothing worse then wondering is something is not right. Your gaskets will be fine.

[CycleRob]

I Agree with Ves. If the dealer did not retorque the heads it could be a problem with leakage or a blown head gasket at any time, the fiery heat of which can damage the gasket surface on the cylinder head. Performing a second re-torquing operation is not required, but it also is not forbidden, especially if there actually is serious doubt it ever was performed. The initial 600 mile re-torque is required because all the new parts settle in after many heat cycles. Doing it again will cause no harm, but is considered an unnecessary waste of time and money if it was performed at the 600 mile check.

Re-torque them all. It's a criss-cross pattern ending off at the M-10 bolt down in the camchain tunnel. I have the tightening sequence pics if you need them. PM me now with your E-Mail so I can send them both as an attachment.

[Apostle]

MikeCam, Ves and CycleRob! Thank you for replies, guys! I love this forum!!!

I went ahead and re-tourqued all of them, so I can sleep peacefully now.

Didn't have chance to try the bike yet - finished at 2am this morning. Personally I do not expect any surprises, but I'll let you know if any.


Regards,
Apostle