TDi 300 Head gasket

[Mikems]

With regard to the head gasket problem, is it reconmended to retension the head bolts at any stage. I am not a great fan of retensioning but who knows. My 1995 D1 has 180,000kms & all appears well, [touch wood] no over heating problems.
Michael.

[camel_landy]

No... Don't re-tension the bolts.

AFAIK - There are no head gasket issues with the 300TDi. The only thing you need to be aware of though is that there are 4x versions of different thicknesses based on how far the max cylinder protrusion is at TDC.

HTH

M

[Bush65]

One issue with 300Tdi head gaskets is that they are prone to blow, particularly around No 4 cyl, and particularly if the engine overheats (one of the main reasons so many owners, including myself have fitted a low coolant alarm).

The basic fault lies with the coolant passages in the head - a fault remedied by International when they improved the 300Tdi to produce the 2.8 litre engine.

The head bolts are tensioned by the angle of turn method. There is no procedure to retension.

And I'm sure camel_landy meant to say the gasket thickness is determine by the distance the pistons protrude above the deck at top dead centre.

[Wortho]

Could you fit a head from a 2.8 to a Tdi?

[camel_landy]

...Yeah, piston is what I meant. It was early when I wrote that. :p

M

[jase]

yes you can, (fit 2.8 head to 300 tdi) my mates done a couple but only casue the factory tdi head was soft or cracked never as an imporovemnt.
The 2.8 also has cooling improvements in the block so not sure if the "better head" only makes much diff ????
The head is expensive (same as a tdi head) so I wouldn't be rushing to change it "just to see if it lasts longer"
by time you change the haed, then turbo (for more power) then the ??? ect ect your better off just buying a whole 2.8
I've got one left ;) :wasntme: :angel:

Jase




Could you fit a head from a 2.8 to a Tdi?

[Mikems]

Thanks for that information.
The suggestion of a coolant level sensor sounds a good one. A RR pressure cap with sensor seems the way to go.
I think I'll get an engine block temperature alarm as well. Could be cheep insurance.
I was also thinking of making a coolant, excess pressure alarm. How reliable are the coolant pressure caps? I find it hard to test with standard equipment.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Michael

[trebor110]

My 300TDI Disco (1995, 240000ks) blew the head a few months ago. Gasket went between 2 & 3, the cross detonation between the 2 cylinders must have been like a oxy tourch. The head, valves & injector tips on the 2 cylinders are 100% rat ****. The cylinder bore on number 3 is also lined with alloy from the molten head. No point trying to rebuild her.
A replacement engine is almost worth more than the car so she is still sat in my shed, too good to wreck out though.

Rob

[mcrover]

280000 kms and not one over heating problem or head gasket issue ever.

Check your coolant weekly when you check/add oil lol, thats what I do and I never have had an issue at all.

Pull the radiator once every 1 or 2 years and give it a good clean and make sure your water pump thermostat and coolant are allways in good nick.

Dont just use water and dont go more than 50% coolant and if youve got hard water where you are add a stabiliser or boil it and let it cool before you add it to reduce scale build up.

By the way Jase how much for the 2.8.

[jase]

By the way Jase how much for the 2.8.

$11k complete fan to flywheel
J