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300 TDi Head Gaskets


disco_al

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We have ordered a head gasket in for one of our customers to do a 300 tdi. We asked for the elring gasket, which they have sent, but they have also supplied a multi layered steel gasket as well - i didn't even realise they existed for the 300 tdi. Could this be a solution to the head gasket problems some 300's seem to suffer from??? or even a good mod to carry out when changing the gasket for those who want to run higher boost?

Image289.jpg

part number is LVB500220

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I had a bad experience with a multi layered head gasket where it failed immediately and had to be removed in favour of a normal Elring gasket. However, it was a sh**part gasket. :blink:

Before fitting it I checked with the supplier to make sure it had the same tightening settings as the fibre gaskets and they said it did. After fitting it and it failing they eventually told me that the torque settings (or the angles you have to tighten the gasket to) were different to a fibre gasket. I would hope to say that if I had known this when I fitted it original that it may well have not failed.

Just confirm without any doubt the tightening values and I would hope you will be OK.

At least it's not a sh**part one... :)

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Where can one buy the steel head gasket? Is it from an aftermarket supplier, Land rover Dealer? Does it have a special part number, brand etc?

Can you please point me to the correct torque settings/angles.

Am I right in thinking that I should use a new set of head bolts too?

Thanks, Steve

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I've put in a genuine one of those, didn't come with any instructions so I fitted it as per the instructions in the RAVE.

Didn't really run it long enough to see if that gave any problems though. But torque data would certainly be welcome for the next time.

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MLS gaskets are becoming more popular to replace the composite type. I would say that composite gaskets have a life, whereas an MLS doesn't. You do have to make sure you get a good quality MLS gasket (I fitted a cheapy to a Freelander and it leaked before I even started the engine). BGA are good quality gaskets and Camberley Auto Factors supply them. Payen and Eling both also supply this type of gasket.

Les.

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MLS gaskets are becoming more popular to replace the composite type. I would say that composite gaskets have a life, whereas an MLS doesn't. You do have to make sure you get a good quality MLS gasket (I fitted a cheapy to a Freelander and it leaked before I even started the engine). BGA are good quality gaskets and Camberley Auto Factors supply them. Payen and Eling both also supply this type of gasket.

Les.

I fitted one of these metal layerd gaskets to a tdi as supplied from bearmach and it leaked straight away so had to do the whole job again with a propper one, a friend also tried one and had problems with it so i can only say from my experience don't bother and get a normal one :)

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Sounds like there are more than one type of these multi layered metal gaskets, and there is a lack of general information as to the tightening settings for them.

Until it's a liitle more documented I think I will stick to the fibre one, although I do like the idea of the metal gasket. If they are fitted right there must be less chance of failure.

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I've never yet come across a variation in the head tightening sequence or torque/angle/deg when using an MLS gasket on any vehicle. When you buy any decent quality head gasket - be it composite or MLS, there's a label in the packet that gives you the sequence and torque anyway.

Les.

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I've never yet come across a variation in the head tightening sequence or torque/angle/deg when using an MLS gasket on any vehicle. When you buy any decent quality head gasket - be it composite or MLS, there's a label in the packet that gives you the sequence and torque anyway.

Les.

Not with one from Land Rover

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Elring do, as I have just done one with a fibre gasket. However, cheaper ones tend not to come with tightening details.

The multilayer s**tpart one didn't, and when they finally told me that the angles were greater I decided to go back to an Elring fibre one.

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Elring do, as I have just done one with a fibre gasket. However, cheaper ones tend not to come with tightening details.

The multilayer s**tpart one didn't, and when they finally told me that the angles were greater I decided to go back to an Elring fibre one.

I don't think the angles make any differnce, in a vein attempt to save me doing the job twice i pulled the head down further to as much as i dare and it still would not seal, they are just cr*p!

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I had a bad experience with a multi layered head gasket where it failed immediately and had to be removed in favour of a normal Elring gasket. However, it was a sh**part gasket. :blink:

Before fitting it I checked with the supplier to make sure it had the same tightening settings as the fibre gaskets and they said it did. After fitting it and it failing they eventually told me that the torque settings (or the angles you have to tighten the gasket to) were different to a fibre gasket. I would hope to say that if I had known this when I fitted it original that it may well have not failed.

Just confirm without any doubt the tightening values and I would hope you will be OK.

At least it's not a sh**part one... :)

I fitted one of these metal layerd gaskets to a tdi as supplied from bearmach and it leaked straight away so had to do the whole job again with a propper one, a friend also tried one and had problems with it so i can only say from my experience don't bother and get a normal one :)

IMHO the better composite head gaskets for the 300Tdi will still fail at some time in their life when boost pressure is kept close to stock.

The genuine stock MLS head gaskets as used in my Isuzu engine have been shown to be reliable with over 40psi boost pressure. However that engine has a cast iron head and will not suffer from differential expansion like the cast iron engine block and aluminium head of a Land Rover Tdi.

In many other applications MLS head gaskets have proven to be superior to composite gaskets.

The above posts indicate MLS gaskets from some particular suppliers have failed/leaked soon after installation. I assume they were for Land Rover Tdi engines as per the thread starter.

The posters that experienced problems have not stated whether the issue was combustion pressure leaks or coolant passage leaks.

Nor have they indicated if there might be some other reason - e.g. head and block flatness/surface finish, soft spots in head due to overheating, if any coating was applied to the joint surfaces, re-used head bolts (possibly in different positions), etc.

Did the failed MLS gaskets have a bonded rubber coating on the joint surfaces as the one pictured in the 1st post seems to show?

When the failed MLS gasket was replaced with a composite gasket that hasn't since failed, were any other issues addressed?

I don't wish to cast aspersions on those people, just would like to see more in depth details to help me make a decision.

I have been planning to fit a MLS gasket in my Disco 300Tdi when I fit a VNT turbo that will produce higher boost pressure.

During a partial overhaul of a 300Tdi, before fitting it into my old rangie, I over tensioned/rotated the new head bolts by about 10% with a new composite head gasket. I don't believe this over stressed the head bolts - even though I see many claims that the stock tightening procedure produces yield in the bolts, I believe those are simply presumptions and not proven.

I look forward to seeing the head bolt tightening procedures that were recommended for the MLS gasket as mentioned in another of the posts in this thread.

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The one that failed on me was fitted to a Freeleander 1.8i. It dribbled water out of the gasket join directly below the exhaust manifold. I removed and inspected it and it looked perfectly ok (I still have it). I fitted another MLS gasket (with head saver), and tightened it the same as for a composite type (20nm, 180-deg, 180-deg). No leaks and the engine is fine still. I have since then fitted many MLS gaskets (Escort EFi and Pajero this week), and have not yet had one fail on me. I aways use either BGA, Elring, or Payen gaskets.

Les.

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MLS gaskets usually fail as a result of not haveing perfectly smooth/flat surfaces to seal against. they are much less tolerant to imperfections in the block/head face.

i have used MLS gaskets in the past (mainly on the 8v Ford DOHC engines, and they are way more reliable than the standard composite ones, so much so that Ford actually superceded the comp. gasket to the MLS one as a result of HG failures on these particular engines.

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