The dreaded head gasket

Hi Everyone,

The time has come, I thought I would be spared, but no.
I have coolant disappearing and I can see mayonnaise in the oil, the car temperature is normal. It has 140.000 Km



So I will do this, It will be my first head gasket change. I've been looking in the forum and I understand I need a BW750 Elastomer Head Gasket
and also new long bolts.

I will keep you posted with my work, for now I'm reading the Haynes manual....

A “k” series camshaft locking tool helps, fit a new water pump and cambelt whilst you are at it

Yes thanks,I have the locking tool
I did the water pump and timing belt last year.

As far as I am aware the head gasket you need depends on the engine, the height of the liners in the block. Dmgrs.co.uk have a lot of info and can supply the gasket.
Don't turn the engine with the head off though.

Yes I checked this site thanks. I'm going for the polymer one

Just to be sure can you confirm the steps for removing the head ?

- Move the engine to Top Dead Center
- Lock the 2 cogs on the head
- Remove the timing belt
- Turn the crankshaft wheel 60° right to put the pistons in safe position
- Then I can unbolt the head

Thanks

Ok so I figured it out for the safe position and removed the head

So I asked the guy from "discount rover spares" about this gasket, this is what he said :

Hi there.

That is not the original gasket. It looks like a aftermarket MLS to my eye. For many years people said those gaskets were a fix but neglected to mention they needed to be fitted to level or fresh liners.
due to mis-fitment they probably lead to more failures than the original gaskets!

Hi all,

I've noticed 2 dents on the engine part, I can feel them with a toothpick.
Will I have a sealing problem with the new head gasket ?

Thanks

They look like casting flaws that were below the machining level to me. Put a line of red hylomar around there when you fit the gasket.

That should seal up OK. Were those liners at different heights? - flush? Any below the lock face?
Were you able to tell where the old gasket had failed?

HI,
No I don't know where the gasket has failed. But I had a water leak on a pipe and lost the coolant, the temperature went up, and I drove for 4 or 5 km like this. The mayonnaise appeared 4 month later (I was regulaly checking)

The liners height seem to be all the same when I feel them.
I had the head resurfaced, they removed one tenth of a millimetre.

I will put it back together like this and cross my fingers...there is nothing more I can do