Head / Gasket. Answers please.

After yet another week of flushing / bleeding the cooling system, I've decided the head is coming off my 300Tdi (1998).
In the Haynes manual it says remove the inlet and exhaust manifolds and turbo.
Q1. Does the exhaust manifold/turbo have to be removed from the car, or can it be unbolted from the head and moved aside?

Q2. Multi layered head gasket. Is this what some call a laminated gasket, are they expensive, who stocks them?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've searched the forum but cant find the info. Any links or recomendations gratefully received.
Thanks
Paul.

Letsgodisco said:

After yet another week of flushing / bleeding the cooling system, I've decided the head is coming off my 300Tdi (1998).
In the Haynes manual it says remove the inlet and exhaust manifolds and turbo.
Q1. Does the exhaust manifold/turbo have to be removed from the car, or can it be unbolted from the head and moved aside?

Q2. Multi layered head gasket. Is this what some call a laminated gasket, are they expensive, who stocks them?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've searched the forum but cant find the info. Any links or recomendations gratefully received.
Thanks
Paul.

Click to expand...

Q1. Does the exhaust manifold/turbo have to be removed from the car, or can it be unbolted from the head and moved aside?

It's only three more nuts to undo to detach the exhaust manifold from the exhaust pipe and it will be lot easier with it out of the way.

Q2. Multi layered head gasket. Is this what some call a laminated gasket, are they expensive, who stocks them?

I expect so, but I haven't heard either term being used when ordering a new head gasket for a Disco. What's important is that you get one of the right thickness, this is indicated by the number of holes or notches in a bit that sticks out on the left hand side as you look from the front, between number three and four cylinder. You can get them from Paddocks, Craddocks, MM4X4 or countless other places

If you have the head skimmed you will need a different thickness of gasket.

Thanks for the replies guy's.
It makes sense removing the manifold if it's only 3 more bolts.
I can see 3 holes in the gasket thats fitted. Maybe the head can't be skimmed any more!
I read a nightmare thread about Paddocks head gaskets and someone mentioned a head gasket that was riveted. This sounds like the "laminated" one I fitted to my Toyota some years ago.
A seller on ebay mentions "multi layered" head gaskets but I can't find them in the shop.
Maybe I'll call at the main stealers and see what sort of mortgage I need to buy one!

Head removing instructions and pics at 300TDI cylinder head removal - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

Also have a look at http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/discovery-head-gasket-58583-3.html for a (slightly inconclusive!) take on gasket thickness.

removed my head twicea couple of months back and followed the head removal guide posted by PASTMASTER and its pretty much spot on.

You dont have to remove the manifold, just pull it to the side, take it steady and if you can tie it off with some rope to keep it out of the way when you come to refit the head, i tied to the tyre and worked a treat. replace the manifold gasket while your on.

I got my Head gasket from Craddocks, i just fitted the thickest one, check the condition of the head bolts, if your in any doubt change them for around £20, make sure you put the gasket on the right way ( speaking from experience ) and double and triple check the valve clearances before you put rocker cover back on mate.

ATB Mike

Great replies guys! I'll check out the links for more info.
Rang Land Rover Dealer today, they dont list multi layered gasket for 300TDi.
I also rang Rotherham Engine services for a long chat. Aparrently, laminated gaskets are thin metal laser cut sheets riveted together. They are checking availability for 300TDi. They told me they sell loads for Rover K series engines (notorious head probs) and they are so sucessful, there's a massive downturn in their workload on these heads!
I'm going to use new headbolts to be sure, also sounds a good idea to do manifold gasket.
Mike DISCO can I asked why you removed your head twice - is there a pitfall I could avoid?
Thanks again to all.

Paul.

Hi mate, yes put the gasket on the right way or you will find oil ****ing out from the front left hand side of the block as the feed up to the rockers.
Order a gasket from John Craddocks mate, cost you around £10-£15.

Take your time, make sure both mating faces are clean as clean can be, use a wide wood chisel to lightly scrap the faces clean.

best advice is follow the link above and take your blummin time )

ATB Mike

Thanks Mike,
You've probably guessed it's not gonna be a rush job. I'm planning carefully and trying to make sure it's only going to be done once.
As I mentioned before when I searched 300TDi head gaskets a good few people were not happy with craddocks gaskets, so it maybe main dealer part despite the cost.
Thanks again for the replies and tips.
Paul.