Thread: Head gasket 300tdi

I ended up just splashing out for a new head from turners $962 delivered, now I've just got to give fitting a go!

Ive just had my head machined and found these bits pretty concerning, was thinking of putting the new gasket on and seeing how i go but after reading this thread im not sure...

No where near as bad as stacks was and figured it couldnt be that bad if the engine shop didnt even mention it.

Any opinions??

Looks like the hardening is coming off if that is possible ?
If its the original head i honestly do think its worth re-using, you may be lucky or you may not.

Im thinking ill try my luck at the moment, its the start of some corrosion where the cooling galleys meets the head.
Had it tested for hardness and its all good.

Cheers

Jimmy as the head was shaved (machined) did the workshop reset the valve
seats deeper to compensate for the head surface machining. I have seen worse corrosion than yours, I would recommend you use a Victor Rienz MLS head gasket (laminated metal 3 layer) and new bolts, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Jimmy93

Any opinions??

Hi Frank,

Not that im aware of, but the head wasnt machined much, it was only out by 2 thou i think the shop said.

Is resetting the seats so the valves dont protrude the head surface when they are closed?? Because they are still well below

That makes me feel more confident about the corrosion but with the head gasket bit... Installed a composite one yesterday.

Originally, after reading up on it and seeing your recommendations in another thread i was set on the metal gasket, however the engine shop convinced me that i shouldnt touch the metal one unless i know everything is perfect and they said the composite one is more forgiving.

Anyway, its mostly back together now, just need to do the timing belt.

Hopefully i have more luck with the composite one than you did.

Cheers

Jimmy

These workshops that push these old tech composite gaskets really **** me off, most modern car manufacturers use MLS type gaskets including Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche, Mercedes etc. The laminated MLS type gasket is now the standard upgrade for land rover. You will notice that in my previous posts on head gaskets that I blew 3 elring compo gaskets on the same warped head, only when I fitted the VR MLS gasket did I get trouble free driving for the next few years until I could afford a new head, so much for your mechanic saying they only should be used if everything else is perfect.
As far as valves go it is not how far they sit below the head surface it is how much clearance on the piston when it's up and running, I don't know what the clearance is but my machinist reseated mine as he was worried about valve to piston clearance when running.
When you rebuild your engine turn it over by hand, before you install the glow plugs and make sure there is no touchy feely stuff between pistons and valves, you will feel it if there is, rotate in direction of proper engine rotation (clockwise), never turn a belt driven cam and IP backwards you may jump a tooth, best of luck, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Jimmy93

Hi Frank,

Not that im aware of, but the head wasnt machined much, it was only out by 2 thou i think the shop said.

Is resetting the seats so the valves dont protrude the head surface when they are closed?? Because they are still well below

That makes me feel more confident about the corrosion but with the head gasket bit... Installed a composite one yesterday.

Originally, after reading up on it and seeing your recommendations in another thread i was set on the metal gasket, however the engine shop convinced me that i shouldnt touch the metal one unless i know everything is perfect and they said the composite one is more forgiving.

Anyway, its mostly back together now, just need to do the timing belt.

Hopefully i have more luck with the composite one than you did.

Cheers

Jimmy