Head gasket replacement on 300tdi - measurement confusion?

[Nick DV]

I ran the test another couple of times. On the final time, when the header would be assumed to be fairly "vented" of the fresh air, the colour change happened in about 3 mins.

I think that is fairly conclusive. I will order some parts.

It's a shame, but at least you know for deffo.

 

[qwakers]

the copper washer things that go under the injectors... i figured id re-use that kind of stuff, but is that a bad idea?

yes, bad idea. buy a set of injector washers too, theyre pennies.

 

[Nick DV]

missed anything?

View attachment 531979

sure, i probably dont need all the studs, and ive been known to re-use the exhaust gaskets before, but i think this is comprehensive?

Rocker cover gasket. The small copper washers for the injectors are always a good idea.

 

[julianf]

yes, bad idea. buy a set of injector washers too, theyre pennies.

A firm tried to charge me silly money for them once, and its lodged in my head, but, youre right - ive just looked them up and theyre about 30p each.

 

[reb78]

What make is the head gasket you've chosen? It seems cheap but i havent looked for ages. I tend to buy from Turners for things like this - they are more expensive on some bits but wont sell bad aftermarket products.

 

[reb78]

Think i used the Elring variant on my 200tdi - https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/collections/land-rover-300-tdi-engine-parts

Turners will advise what is 'best' from the two options above though.

 

[julianf]

Think i used the Elring variant on mine https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/collections/land-rover-300-tdi-engine-parts

Turners will advise what is 'best' from the two options above though.

Head Gasket Tdi -Metal Multi Layer- 3 Hole 1.5mm (OEM) LVB500220G

New OEM metal multi layer head gasket which fits all Tdi engines There are three different types of head gasket. This is the most common one three hole 1.5mm

www.island-4x4.co.uk

LVB500220 Head Gasket 300TDI | Turner Engineering

300TDI Head Gasket LVB500200 - LVB500210 - LVB500220 multi layer steel 300TDI land rover engines

www.turnerengineering.co.uk

 

[8ob]

Ive just unwrapped my stored head, and i realise ive been looking at this all wrong!




For some reason i had remembered there being a round recess around the valves - not that the head was flat directly across the top of the cylinder.


This makes it all make sense - so long as the valves are somewhere below the head face, it IS only the piston protrusion that matters.

So, it doesn't matter what head is fitted, you just keep the same gasket that was on the block prior, right?

(ps, i know the head looks sandy in the shot above - who knows why - its been wrapped in oily tissue and then cling film for the past couple of years)

Heads can and do get cut on more than one occasion, valves need to be about 1mm below the head face. Need to be a bit careful because it can affect piston to valve clearance and it also screws with the valve geometry. IMHO the only head gaskets worth fitting are Victor Reinz, never had one let go.

Bob

 

[reb78]

Head Gasket Tdi -Metal Multi Layer- 3 Hole 1.5mm (OEM) LVB500220G

New OEM metal multi layer head gasket which fits all Tdi engines There are three different types of head gasket. This is the most common one three hole 1.5mm

www.island-4x4.co.uk

LVB500220 Head Gasket 300TDI | Turner Engineering

300TDI Head Gasket LVB500200 - LVB500210 - LVB500220 multi layer steel 300TDI land rover engines

www.turnerengineering.co.uk

Fair enough.

Although Island 4x4 will never see money from me again - they can be as cheap as they like. Had issues with them in the past and they are bloody rude and lie if you politely try to resolve them.

 

[julianf]

...just found a rocker gasket, 4 bosch plugs, and some thermostat housing gaskets here.

One day (never) im going to put everything i have into an excel sheet, so i dont just order the same parts time and time again (which, in fairness, i have not this time - but it was close!)

 

[MoreWellie]

Head bolts? I never "know" whether to replace or reuse so I nearly always replace

 

[qwakers]

If They are angle tightened ,then they're stretch bolts and should be replaced as a general rule.

 

[reb78]

If They are angle tightened ,then they're stretch bolts and should be replaced as a general rule.

Depending on which WSM version you read the answer is reuse zero times right theough to five times!

A lot of the 300tdi WSM versions suggest up to five times is fine.

I reused the ones on my 200tdi and it's been fine.

 

[julianf]

I've always been under the impression that the 300 ones can be reused [x] times.

...as if anyone would ever know how many times they had been used before!

 

[qwakers]

...as if anyone would ever know how many times they had been used before!

which would be my point

 

[julianf]

which would be my point

Ive owned this engine since 70k. I very much doubt the head was done multiple times before my ownership.

 

[Smallfry]

I ran the test another couple of times. On the final time, when the header would be assumed to be fairly "vented" of the fresh air, the colour change happened in about 3 mins.

I think that is fairly conclusive. I will order some parts.

the copper washer things that go under the injectors... i figured id re-use that kind of stuff, but is that a bad idea?

I found the test inconclusive as I discovered it was stem causing the colour change.

I have only just annealed a set for my BMW diesel engine, but after inspection I have wobbled and ordered a new set, as the old ones are a bit dimpled.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I've always been under the impression that the 300 ones can be reused [x] times.

...as if anyone would ever know how many times they had been used before!

Manufacturers typically spec that you use a centrepunch mark on the head each time they're installed to show they've been used.

 

[julianf]

I found the test inconclusive as I discovered it was stem causing the colour change.

I have only just annealed a set for my BMW diesel engine, but after inspection I have wobbled and ordered a new set, as the old ones are a bit dimpled.

The coolant tank on the 300tdi has a good 2 inches or so of "void" below the filler. I ran the test three times, washing the u bend thing each time.

The first test took a while for the colour change - i would expect that as the leak isnt that significant and it would have taken time to vent the headder (i syphoned it down prior - so the gas in it would have been atmospheric)

Subsequent tests showed a much more rapid change.


If it was containment each time, you would expect the three tests to complete in the same time span. Id also expect to see fluid rising up the trap.

Ill repost the photo -

You can see fluid stuck to both expanded sections. The headder would suck aid back though slightly as it came off the throttle. This accounts for the splashing on the left hand void.

You can see no evidence of contamination on the pipe on the left hand side. There is condensation but that is all.

 

[Smallfry]

Mine was bubbling away merrily, not quite like a boiling kettle, but enough !