Head gasket change advice

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payydg

payydg

Well-Known Member
Posts
3,925
Location
Aberdeenshire
This is for a 1991 200tdi defender 90.

Looks like I need to change the HG. I've read through a few guides and I've got the workshop manuals etc.

Anyone got any insider tips or advice? Anything else worth changing whilst I'm in there? Any special tools I should purchase? I've got all the basic sockets, spanners and viscous fan spanners.

The gasket hasn't blown yet, is it worth getting the head skimmed anyhow?

Read one guide that says you don't need to take the injectors or take the glow plugs out?

Basically any advice to stop me ****ing something up or anything to make my life easier would be greatly appreciated.
 
Remove the bare minimum to get the head off, unbolt inlet and ex manifolds and leave them in place on the car as its a good time to change the manifold gasket, dont use a cheap manifold or cheap head gasket new rocker cover gasket and the D seals, cheap rocker gaskets and D seals are just fine.
No need to remove plugs or injectors, just be aware injectors stick out proud of the head face so dont drop it on the gasket face.
You can reuse the head bolts up to 5 times, so no need to change them.
No need to skim the head, the lightest of clean up on gasket faces, no need to make them shine.
Make sure the little valve lash caps are present and correct x 8.
 
payydg said:
This is for a 1991 200tdi defender 90.

Looks like I need to change the HG. I've read through a few guides and I've got the workshop manuals etc.

Anyone got any insider tips or advice? Anything else worth changing whilst I'm in there? Any special tools I should purchase? I've got all the basic sockets, spanners and viscous fan spanners.

The gasket hasn't blown yet, is it worth getting the head skimmed anyhow?

Read one guide that says you don't need to take the injectors or take the glow plugs out?

Basically any advice to stop me ****ing something up or anything to make my life easier would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
you can leave injectors and glow plugs in just dont lay head face down on a hard surface with them in
only skim if head is bent or damaged ie pitted and grooved around fire ring or water way
 
Would you guys recommend getting a gasket kit or buying the individual ones to ensure OEM standard?

Which gaskets do I need aside from the Ines already mentioned?
 
payydg said:
Is STC1172 the correct gasket set? Elring are listed on LR direct as a decent looking manufacturer?
Click to expand...
Wouldn't it be a great idea if these gasket kits came with an itemised list! :rolleyes:

If you but a set you'll get quite a few bits you won't use. Might be more economical/less wasteful to buy just the ones you need.
 
Al2O3 said:
Wouldn't it be a great idea if these gasket kits came with an itemised list! :rolleyes:

If you but a set you'll get quite a few bits you won't use. Might be more economical/less wasteful to buy just the ones you need.
Click to expand...

Not sure if that's sarcasm but it wasn't itemised on LR direct?!?

Thanks for the advice everyone.
 
lynall said:
Remove the bare minimum to get the head off, unbolt inlet and ex manifolds and leave them in place on the car as its a good time to change the manifold gasket, dont use a cheap manifold or cheap head gasket new rocker cover gasket and the D seals, cheap rocker gaskets and D seals are just fine.
No need to remove plugs or injectors, just be aware injectors stick out proud of the head face so dont drop it on the gasket face.
You can reuse the head bolts up to 5 times, so no need to change them.
No need to skim the head, the lightest of clean up on gasket faces, no need to make them shine.
Make sure the little valve lash caps are present and correct x 8.
Click to expand...
So head bolts are not same as 300Tdi, TTY, that stretch if you re-use them?
 
payydg said:
Not sure if that's sarcasm but it wasn't itemised on LR direct?!?

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Click to expand...
No, sorry if that came across in a funny way. I was not being sarcastic. These gasket 'sets' are not itemised and the pictures are not clear and so you have little idea of what you are getting in the set. Just the obvious shaped ones you can see in the jumble of gaskets in the packet. It's a genuine gripe of mine. :mad:
 
Al2O3 said:
No, sorry if that came across in a funny way. I was not being sarcastic. These gasket 'sets' are not itemised and the pictures are not clear and so you have little idea of what you are getting in the set. Just the obvious shaped ones you can see in the jumble of gaskets in the packet. It's a genuine gripe of mine. :mad:
Click to expand...

I thought I was being stupid for a moment there. I agree a pain in the ass and no doubt the fact people end up buying more than needed is not a coincidence
 
payydg said:
I thought I was being stupid for a moment there. I agree a pain in the ass and no doubt the fact people end up buying more than needed is not a coincidence
Click to expand...
I reckon you don't need a top kit unless you are doing a full cylinder head refurb and likewise you don't need a bottom kit unless you are doing a full refurb below the head gasket! If you are just doing a particular component then get the relevant gaskets for that.
Also mate, IIRC, I've got a chequer plate rear door card with your name on it in my shed. :) Do you still want it? Not that it's going anywhere.
 
Al2O3 said:
I reckon you don't need a top kit unless you are doing a full cylinder head refurb and likewise you don't need a bottom kit unless you are doing a full refurb below the head gasket! If you are just doing a particular component then get the relevant gaskets for that.
Also mate, IIRC, I've got a chequer plate rear door card with your name on it in my shed. :) Do you still want it? Not that it's going anywhere.
Click to expand...

Thats good advice thanks. I hadn't forgotten! Definitely still in need just working out when I'll be down your way (not for a while if I can't get this head gasket changed). If your not in a rush I will make it down but obvs if someone local wants it then please give it to them
 
payydg said:
Thats good advice thanks. I hadn't forgotten! Definitely still in need just working out when I'll be down your way (not for a while if I can't get this head gasket changed). If your not in a rush I will make it down but obvs if someone local wants it then please give it to them
Click to expand...
No problem and no hurry. If you want it it's yours and will just be waiting. :) Let me know if you get something else sorted out.
 
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