Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure

Quick Training Guide – QT114B

All Toyota engines use torque-to-yield bolts for critical fastener applications, such as to fasten the
cylinder head to the cylinder block. Not following the Repair Manual instructions and failure to use
sound shop practices can result in damaged threads, warped mating surfaces, and cylinder head
gasket leakage. This QTG will explain how torqueing fasteners works and how torque-to-yield bolts
function, as well as providing proper shop procedures and outlining the proper torque sequence.

ENTER

Click the ENTER button to view the Quick Training Guide.

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Overview
Conventional bolts stretch when they are torqued to specification and Torque-to-yield bolts are used in critical applications, such as cylinder
then return to their original length when they are removed. heads and rod caps.

• These applications demand consistent and equal torque distribution.

Torque-to-yield fasteners stretch a little with each use and will not return
to their original length when removed, so, they have to be inspected
before re-use.

Area of potential stretch

However, there are factors that can reduce the clamping force generated
by a fastener (bolt or nut).
• Dirty threads
• Damaged threads
• Insufficient lubrication

These factors can result in uneven torque from each fastener.

Distance

Also, there are specific tightening procedures and sequences that must
be followed for torque-to-yield bolts to work properly.

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

2 of 7
 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Torque
What is Torque? Torque is a measure of how much force is acting What is Torque Tightening? Torque tightening is the application of
on an object which causes that object to rotate.  preload to a fastener by the turning of the fastener’s nut.

Turning movement Friction points should always be lubricated when using the torque
tightening method

Stretch of Fastener (Pre-load)

Force

Torque is measured in:

• ft·lbf (foot pounds force), in·lbf (inch pounds force) and N·m (newton meters)

How much torque is actually converted to clamping force? These illustrations detail the losses of clamping force due to friction.

Frictional Losses Lubrication Reduces Friction

11
10% converted to preload
10
9
Residual Bolt Load (tons)

8
7
Lubricated with Moly grease (µ = 0.1)
40% in threads 6
50% at nut face 5 Light oil (µ = 0.15)
4
Dry unlubricated (µ = 0.2)
3
2

Frictional Losses (dry steel bolt) 0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Torque (ft·lbf) (Applied load)

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

3 of 7
 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Torque-to-yield Bolts
Torque-to-yield bolts have plastic regions that are calibrated to a
factory-specified yield point. When properly installed, as the bolts
Plastic Region
stretch they provide equal torque.

On Toyota vehicles, these bolts are torqued to a lower level to run

down and align the fastener, then a series of measured turns are Yield Point
used to tighten the fastener to the desired level. As turns are used
instead of a fixed torque value, any extra friction of the fastener is Tightening by Degrees
less important. This procedure allows the amount of stretch (clamping Failure Point
force) to be uniform from bolt-to-bolt across the component.

Fastener Load
These bolts can be re-used, but there are specific inspection Elastic Region
procedures in the Repair Manual to ensure that they are suitable for
re-use. The specifications vary by model, so it is essential that the Tightening to specified torque
(Yield Point)
correct Repair Manual is used for reference.

Hand Tightening

Number of Turns (not to scale)

Elastic Region: In this area, the Tightening by degrees after

bolt deforms but returns to its torquing to specifications
original shape and length when the
load is removed. 90°

Plastic Region: In this area, the

bolt is permanently deformed. After
several tightenings, the deformation
accumulates until the bolt reaches
its failure point.

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

4 of 7
 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Shop Practices
Proper practices in the shop will result in even torque distribution and
less chance of deformation and cylinder head gasket leaks.

Visually inspect the bolt and bore threads to check for damage or dirt. It A light coating of clean motor oil to the
may be necessary to clean out the bore threads with a finish tap (NOT A threads and under the bolt head will allow
STARTER TAP). for even application of torque and help
prevent damage to the threads.

A good test for excess resistance is to see if a lightly oiled bolt

Hint can be easily screwed all the way in and out of the bore with
only your fingertips. If there is excess resistance there may be
something wrong with the bolt or bore threads.

Starter Tap Finish Tap

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

5 of 7
 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Inspecting Torque-to-yield Bolts
The fastening torque applied to torque-to-yield bolts causes them to Cylinder Head Bolts
stretch. For cylinder head bolts, inspect for stretching by measuring the
Connecting Rod Bolts diameter of the threads in the prescribed area. Also visually inspect
the bolt outside of the measurement area for places that may appear
For connecting rod bolts, inspect for stretching by measuring the deformed or stretched.
diameter of the bolt in the prescribed area. Also visually inspect the bolt
outside of the measurement area for places that may appear deformed Distance
or stretched.

Using a micrometer, measure the thread diameter at the measuring area

specified in the Repair Manual.

Measuring Area

If the bolt does not meet specifications, replace it.

Using a micrometer, measure the thread diameter at the measuring area

specified in the Repair Manual.

If the bolt does not meet specifications, replace it.

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

6 of 7
 Toyota Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Procedure
Quick Training Guide QT114B
Overview Torque Torque-to-yield Bolts Shop Practices Inspecting Bolts Torque Sequence

Click the tabs at the top to view each section

Torque Sequence
When Installing A Cylinder Head 3. After torquing the cylinder head bolts:

1. Apply a light coat of engine oil to the threads and under the heads • Mark each cylinder head bolt with paint as shown in the
of the cylinder head bolts. illustration

2. In the sequence given in the Repair Manual, install and uniformly • Tighten the cylinder head bolts another 90° in the original
tighten the cylinder head bolts with the plate washers in 3 tightening sequence
progressive steps. • Tighten the cylinder head bolts again an additional 90° in the
original tightening sequence
DO NOT short cut step 2. The cylinder head is the roof of the cylinder
block and when in operation is under extreme pressure. The torque
sequence is divided into three steps to ensure the cylinder head is
tightened evenly. This ensures the cylinder head gasket is compressed 90° 90°
evenly as well.

Front

Painted Mark

The 90 degree turns in addition to the torque provides the stretch

tension. This stretch or spring tension from the bolts keeps the bolts
from working loose over time.

Most cylinder head bolts require a 10 mm bi-hexagon (also

called a triple square or XZN) socket.

©Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., September 2, 2014

7 of 7