Valley Pan Gasket 3.5

I've got to replace my valley pan gasket as I've got an oil leak coming from the front seal and clamp.
I'm unsure wether to use a composite or tin gasket. I've heard composite seal well but can break down on the lifter side. The tin ones don't have this problem but they can be troublesome to seal.
Has anyone got any experience of the two?

Composite will seal better, remember small amount of instant gasket in corners.

also check for signs of lifting/bulging indicates head gasket

Right-o I might order up a composite one then.
Have you ever seen this happen to them?

yes.the black **** often lifts..

Locky1978 said:

Right-o I might order up a composite one then.
Have you ever seen this happen to them?

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zen said:

yes.the black **** often lifts..

Click to expand...

Yes

Is it really worth the risk of the 'black ****' lifting then? Personally I'd rather go through tin gaskets and redoing it until it seals than the risk of any nasty black stuff doing nasty things to my engine.

the black **** is on the tin gaskets..not composite.its paint.

Painted tin gasket... Whhhaaaaattttt?

Ah I see.... thats where I'm getting confused. I thought that pic was a composite gasket gone bad. De-laminated as such. Which is why I was wary of fitting it.

marccleave said:

Painted tin gasket... Whhhaaaaattttt?

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yes..they are coated with paint or similar..they aint tin after all but cheap steel...steel rusts, and as top is open to elements they are coated. (both sides..and it falls off after time)