200 TDI Head gasket swap-advice

I thought I had an exhaust leak but the sound was coming from behind the motor. So I reached my hand around the back and could feel air puffing out from behind the head from what seemed to be where the head gasket should be. On Paddock Spares there is a head gasket set that does not include the head gasket. I'm guessing that I will have to order that and a new head gasket of course. Is there anything else I will need besides sealant?

Std 200 failure point, mine did the same and burnt the bulkhead, strangely made no difference power wise.
Look down driver side of engine head gasket will have a tag with holes stamped in it, this is how you tell what thickness gasket it is, but in reality most people just fit the thickest, no3 I think.
Make sure you get new D rubbers for the ends of the rocker gasket, otherwise it will leak.
Worth getting some valve lash caps as well as theres bound to be at least one broken one.

Ok, thanks. What are valve lash caps and where are they located?

FreedomCaleb said:

Ok, thanks. What are valve lash caps and where are they located?

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sit on top of valve stem , you dont have to have them fitted but over the years they do save wear on valve and rocker

Also, I can't find the D rubbers for the ends of the rocker gaskets. Any tips on where to find those?

Ok, thank you.

All I get is a head gasket and a manifold gasket.

The set has loads of stuff youd only fit if you had nothing better to do.

head gasket is selectable ,depending on height of pistons above block face at tdc ,but as said most fit err5263,D shaped rubbers are err765 though should come in a head set as would everything else bar head gasket as already said

Ok, that helps a lot. Much thanks to you both.

When I do this head gasket swap is there anything special I need to do other than pull off the head and slap a new gasket on. I have only done work like this on gas engines. Never on a diesel. And when I'm done I want to degrease the engine. Is everything in there safe for a degreaser and water hose?

undo the block drain bung on lhs near front core plug first ,a straight edge to check heads flat especially in the middle

Ok. I am guessing that is just to drain the antifreeze from the block? Do I need to do anything special to the injectors?

yes ,just keep them clean

Alright, will do. Also, what is the lhs? I really need to order a good maintenance manual for this thing. I have a 1989 Defender with a 200 TDI. I don't know much about them yet but am trying to learn.

left hand side or turbo side in the case of a tdi

Got it. Thank you much for your advice. I'll be doing the swap as soon as the gasket arrives. Until then I'm sure I will have more questions.

no problem ,just ask

Brake cleaner is a brilliant degreaser especially in a hand pump type bottle.
Std degreaser and water is also safe to use on the tdi.

Ok, I'll give that a shot. Still waiting on the parts to come in. I have this head gasket to do and a rear axle hub reseal as well.

Check the stub axle where the seal runs, penny to a pound thats fooked as well, also check your axle breather, best to fit the extended versions available on ebay etc, its the banjo bolt that screws into the axle itself that fill ups with crud.