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samcoombes

Active Member
Morning

So I want to change my Headgasket as it seems to be weeping oil ever so slightly, and has done 130k so would be a bit of piece of mind.

The existing gasket I can see the thickness tab which has 2 holes. I am told nearly all 300tdi's had a 3 hole gasket, so I just want to check that I should replace like for like?

I will be using a genuine gasket.

Also do I need to drain the oil? I presume the coolant has to be drained - how is best to do this and then refill and bleed it? What is a good coolant mix?

Thanks all.
 
Aha, a question I can help with properly!

Mine went at 130k so prob a good idea. The first proper mechanical job I have ever done!

I was told to replace the gasket with the same that came off, unless you are having it skimmed, then I would say go for the 3 holes.

I didn't drain the oil on mine, you can get away with leaving the turbo connected to the manifold and pulling it out of the way.

Best way to drain the coolant is to remove the bottom hose that goes onto the radiator, and make sure you open both of the filler plugs so it completely empties. There is also a coolant drain plug on the side of the engine under the exhaust manifold that will need to be taken out.

I did 1/3 coolant mix, but no idea if that is right...to fill it back up fill into the hole that has the plug in on the water pump (I think), put the plugs back in and then top the expansion tank up as the engine is running.
 
Oh, and make sure you have the head gasket kit with the copper washers and a new inlet manifold gasket, as mine had split. I went with the OEM gasket and kit from Paddocks.
 
Most people fit a 3 hole gasket because it's the thickest one that land rover made (yes I know there's a zero hole), and they can't be bothered to check piston protrusion etc to get exactly the right gasket. I'm on of them.
I would just fit whatever you've got on at the moment ( 2 hole) if you're not having stuff skimmed.
 
What is it with 300tdi head gaskets? I've owned two which have both blown head gaskets and know of several others. I've owned several 200tdi motors and have never had any head gasket problems nor have I heard of any. What's the difference?
 
hughesy said:
What is it with 300tdi head gaskets? I've owned two which have both blown head gaskets and know of several others. I've owned several 200tdi motors and have never had any head gasket problems nor have I heard of any. What's the difference?
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Ive done several 200 ones, always the same they blow out the back of number four, never coolant just combustion gas.
 
For a small oil leak its probably not worth bothering.But if you do,follow the workshop manual - measure the piston protusions and choose the correct head gasket from those measurements.Skimming the head makes no difference to head gasket thickness,if you look at the layout and read the manual you will see why...
 
Does the engine have to be in a certain 'position' before doing this? Also if I do get the head skimmed, should I do anything different when re-assembling?

Thanks again
 
protrusion is measured on each piston at tdc and highest used ,skimming head can effect gasket needed if valve seats arent cut back the same amount as is removed by skimming, but generally most fit 3 hole gasket unless heads been skimmed previously, you will know if its ok when you turn engine over to set tappets
 
jamesmartin said:
protrusion is measured on each piston at tdc and highest used ,skimming head can effect gasket needed if valve seats arent cut back the same amount as is removed by skimming, but generally most fit 3 hole gasket unless heads been skimmed previously, you will know if its ok when you turn engine over to set tappets
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Skimming does NOT affect gasket choice,if the machine shop is stupid enough not to check valve stand down then there is a potential issue.Bump clearlance is basic diesel technology which should not be ignored.Fitting the thickest gasket is a cop out by people who don't know what they are doing - then they or the customer has to put up with an engine that wont perform properly.
 
eightinavee said:
Skimming does NOT affect gasket choice,if the machine shop is stupid enough not to check valve stand down then there is a potential issue.Bump clearlance is basic diesel technology which should not be ignored.Fitting the thickest gasket is a cop out by people who don't know what they are doing - then they or the customer has to put up with an engine that wont perform properly.
Click to expand...

you should know most shops just skim heads there not producing performance heads,so yes it does for most, and again with 300 tdi at least 15 year old engines any loss is unnoticeable , how many fitting head gasket themselves have a dti and the understanding to use it ,what you might do when building engines is different and not really necessary to what a diyer is going to do on their drive
 
jamesmartin said:
you should know most shops just skim heads there not producing performance heads,so yes it does for most, and again with 300 tdi at least 15 year old engines any loss is unnoticeable , how many fitting head gasket themselves have a dti and the understanding to use it ,what you might do when building engines is different and not really necessary to what a diyer is going to do on their drive
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My thoughts exactly
 
thanks again - i understand about the thicknesses, but certainly don't have the tools to check it. So I was thinking head off, skim, new gasket (same as old) and head back on. Just checking the engine didn't need to be at TDC or similar?

I'm pretty confident, but would I better off to pay the garage to do it? How much would a typical charge be?

Thanks
 
what gaskets fitted now ,you can check holes in the gasket between 3rd and 4th injectors area, if 2 fitted fit 3 ,easy enough job at home , drain block first by plug on lhs of engine just under first core plug before undoing head bolts , ensure you set tappets well and turn over a couple of times after by hand to ensure nothing touches
 
i have seen the different size gaskets on the market. from 1.2mm to 1.6mm (i think) which one is better and why do they make different sizes? i just thought they would keep to the best one, the bigger the gasket the more power? less power? no difference?
 
Thanks James. The gasket now is 2 hole. You say drain the block - where do I do that? I have just watched some vids on youtube for the tappet adjustment, looks ok I think!

Which other gaskets and seals are worth changing at the same time?
 
CarbonLookLandy said:
i have seen the different size gaskets on the market. from 1.2mm to 1.6mm (i think) which one is better and why do they make different sizes? i just thought they would keep to the best one, the bigger the gasket the more power? less power? no difference?
Click to expand...

primarily because piston protrude above block, you measure highest piston and fit the thinnest gasket to suit,so if you had a 2 hole youd normally find a 2 hole was what you needed, but when heads are skimmed valve the sits nearer the head face and so will reach further down possibly catching top of piston, so generally people fit next thickest gasket to compensate
 
samcoombes said:
Thanks James. The gasket now is 2 hole. You say drain the block - where do I do that? I have just watched some vids on youtube for the tappet adjustment, looks ok I think!

Which other gaskets and seals are worth changing at the same time?
Click to expand...

under first core plug ,its a brass plug on lhs, if you dont when head bolts are released coolant will flow into bores, buy a head gasket and top gasket kit stc2802
 
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