Head gasket failure

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed May 07, 2008 2:25 pm

They were a mixture. The suspect ones were used, as were some of the others, but I tried some new ones too, and they weren't significantly different to the used ones. It is a fair point though.

I can't use studs, if I fit studs I'll never get the heads on, the engine bay is too narrow!!

I might use non-stretch bolts instead, at least I can triple-check that they are torqued correctly....

Chris.

Post by **katanaman** » Wed May 07, 2008 3:28 pm

its a PITA but the studs have a an allen key hole in the end so they are removable, same as a bolt.

v8man1 · Post by **v8man1** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:54 pm

hello chaps i see i have the same problem i brought a landrover discovery 94 on m plate and it sucking water like no tomorrow well i found no1 pot was filling it self with water well i pulled the heads of and it had compsite gaskets well that says it all a!! well i putting tin ones back on now never i hope u get the old landie going mate lol!!

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:21 pm

v8man1,

More than likely your block is cracked.

You will need to have flanged liners fitted if that is the case, meaning full engine removal, stripdown etc...major expense.

The composite gaskets were there because of the 10 bolt heads with smaller combustion chambers. They are designed to be used with those gaskets, not pressed metal ones.

If you fit pressed metal ones, you will increase the compression ratio, and this may well effect the way the engine runs, especially with an engine management system.

Ron.

logrover · Post by **logrover** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:06 pm

apologies for bringing up an old thread, but did you ever get to the bottom of this Chris, and find a solution?

I had the same problem i think with composite gaskets on a 3.5 and stretch bolts, leading to oil escaping around the oil drilling but compression ok within the fire rings. On taking apart i also found no sealing ring around oil hole - so interested to hear what you did to resolve with yours (tins, other gasket, arp studs, earlier bolts, etc).

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am

Back around 1995 I removed the heads off my original 3.5 litre engine. One of the original 1973/4 fitted pressed metal gaskets had failed between the water jacket and the cylinder.

I fitted composite gaskets and reused the original high tensile bolts, the heads of which feature 6 radial lines. Anti seize was applied to each bolt prior to fitment.

I torqued all 14 as per my Rover 3500 workshop manual (there was never any mention of leaving out 4 or reducing their applied torque back then) and never had a problem again.

The engine continued to provide excellent service until it was removed in 2007 so as to make way for my 4.6.

Ron.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:17 am

logrover wrote:apologies for bringing up an old thread, but did you ever get to the bottom of this Chris, and find a solution?

I had the same problem i think with composite gaskets on a 3.5 and stretch bolts, leading to oil escaping around the oil drilling but compression ok within the fire rings. On taking apart i also found no sealing ring around oil hole - so interested to hear what you did to resolve with yours (tins, other gasket, arp studs, earlier bolts, etc).

I ended up using non-stretch bolts and composite gaskets, and so far, it's been perfect.......

Chris.

logrover · Post by **logrover** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:20 am

thanks chris - which composites did you use (and where from) - the ones without raised rings around the oil feeder hole or did you find some with?

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:27 pm

Ah, now that's a good question!!

I rather suspect I used Rimmer Bros. I normally do.

I can't remember if there were any sealing rings around the oil ways or water jackets.

Chris.