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Head gaskets.
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:03 pm
by Peetee
I've been reading this forum for years now and something keeps cropping up.
To test my theory can we have a count up?
How many people who have changed a head gasket in the last 5 years have had it fail very soon or prematurely?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:11 pm
by bigginger
I added a poll, just out of interest

a
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:38 pm
by Peetee
Thanks Andrew. Just the ticket.

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:25 pm
by callyspoy
i only did mine on sunday, so i will hold back on answering!
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:15 pm
by alex_holden
Are there different types of head gasket available? Mine that just failed after 5000 miles came from a well-known moggy supplier.
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:58 am
by Peetee
Are there different types of head gasket available
In terms of material used, yes. At least two types. But hold fire on that one as it's going to be my next question to those that had a failure.

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:48 am
by RogerRust
Yes it is best to ask for the PAYEN gasket they are better.
Some of the mini suppliers also supply an expensive competition gasket. And even a special one for fitting large valve heads on small engines!
I first used the standard one and it failed - not on compression, but did leak water into the oil and the other way round
Now I have fitted the Payen and it seems to be OK. ( I think this is a special problem for those who fit 12G940 heads to small engines because one of the water ways on cylinder no 3 on the head is very poorly sealed with the cheaper gasket)
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:03 am
by paulhumphries
RogerRust wrote:
Some of the mini suppliers also supply an expensive competition gasket.
I've just changed the head gasket on the main "familly" car (Chrysler Neon).
It's nothing like I've seen before and is 100% metal. Three layers of shaped profiles to solve a common problem these cars have with the original type.
Only problem is a full head set is over £100 and the gasket alone £60
Took me over 20 hours to change due to all the modern complications.
I'd prefer to change an A Series gasket any day athough despite doing many miles over many years in numerous cars fitted with the A Series engine I've never had a head gasket fail.
Paul Humphries
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:48 am
by alex_holden
Interesting. I'm going to get hold of one of the Payen ones and I'll fit it if the standard one goes again.