Thread: Head gaskets

Hi Pedro are you asking this re the Shot at Birth thread?
Failing gaskets?
Elring ,personally I never had any bad reports. Often people have the heads machined, but never actually check the block to see if it is also true. I spoke to a mechanic who reckons ( whether true or not) told me he fits composite gaskets but fills the cooling system with plain water for approx 100 kms then empties the water and replaces it with the OAT mixture. He reckons that OAT eats the head gaskets, but initial water only he reckons it conditions the composite gasket and hasn't had any fails. This was on 300tdis
Regards,
Mario

Pedro I have written a number of posts on MLS vs. composite, I will post up some addresses later.
On my current 300TDi Disco (over 500,000 klms) I have a new AMC head fitted with a Victor Rienze MLS head gasket, an updated genuine LR head gasket was supplied with the new head, it is a MLS gasket with a LR part#. The seller said if I used a Composite gasket (any brand) the warranty on the AMC new head would be null and void.
I already had the VR MLS gasket so I used that, I had trouble with the original LR head.
I blew my first Elring comp. gasket, the head was warped, so I had the head machined and valves reseated, fitted the new Elring comp. gasket and it blew out again in a few weeks.
Removed head and it was warped again, so fitted another comp. gasket and the still warped head (short of excess cash), few weeks later this comp gasket blew again. Now observing all of these (3) blown comp. gaskets they all had failed between cyls. 2 & 3.
The metal part of the gasket (Comp.) was OK, but the fibre composite material had disappeared and allowed the gasket to blow.
So I figured if I used an all metal Laminated gasket with no composite fibre crap to blow away I should get a result.
Fitted the VR MLS gasket under the still warped and cracked head (until I could afford a new head).
Over 3 years later the much maligned (by the so called experts) VR MLS gasket was still performing perfectly with the old warped head.
Bought a new AMC head, disassembled, checked valve spring heights, lapped all the valves in for a perfect seal, polished exh. runners, cleaned up all the valve port bowls and matched all the ports.
Goes great.
All the stories about MLS gaskets need to be fitted to perfectly flat surfaces is all bull**** and so is the Furphy about using gasket goo.
So mate fitting anything but the most modern MLS type gaskets is folly, go with a Victor Reinze MLS gasket and prosper, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

I know there are a few home engine builders out there,,
Anyone used a MLS type head gasket?

or, something better than the usual suspects, Durapro, Elring etc,

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

. I spoke to a mechanic who reckons ( whether true or not) told me he fits composite gaskets but fills the cooling system with plain water for approx 100 kms then empties the water and replaces it with the OAT mixture. He reckons that OAT eats the head gaskets, but initial water only he reckons it conditions the composite gasket and hasn't had any fails. This was on 300tdis
Regards,
Mario

Funny you mention that as I've had a well respected engine reconditioner say not to put coolant in mls gaskets for 1000km



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I'm using Cometic MLS ($200 each) along with ARP head studs ($300) as recommended by clubagreenie.

http://www.cometic.com/technical.aspx

See My thanks to Scouse...

They look good Tank,,

Pedro,I've read many posts on hear about Tdi HG's,too many people think they know more than Land Rover and the gasket makers about this,use an MLS gasket and fit as per the manufacturer and Land Rover,in other words RTFM. Pat

I emailed Turners Engineering in the UK about head gaskets and got this reply-----


Dear Peter
Thank you for your e mail .

The head gasket failure is more likely caused by the LPG system not working
to it's optimum. Typically gaskets fail between 25 - 35000 miles under these
circumstances as in your case.

The head gasket thickness is not an issue however our blocks are
remanufactured with a slight liner protrusion therefore MLS head gaskets
cannot be used in the opinion of the manufacturer. The liner protrusion will
be no more than .002" and gives a better compression of the composite head
gasket fire ring area.

You could try a steel gasket and it may well work for you but please take
into account the advice given above. I don't think it is necessarily the
higher compression ratio more the LPG setup. If you could possibly lower the
engine's overall operating temperature that may well do the trick.

I trust the abvoe answers your query.



Ok, I have been running a 88deg thermostat for the last 10K,, gas regulator replaced around the same time.
I am happy(gotta be) to ASSUME the LPG will no longer be a issue.

The 002 liner protrusion is a different kettle of slimey things. Obviously this is Turners way of helping seal the chamber.
On the COMETIC brand MLS gaskets there are raised (they call them embossed) areas that crush to seal where needed.

I have emailed them and asked the question--

Aah, the old lets-blame-the-LPG trick. It's funny how I used to cane the living crap out of my P76 engines on LPG, the last one with 12:1 compression too, and no gasket failures to date. It's only the super delicate 4.6 blocks that seem to be the trouble, maybe they were cast from recycled porridge.