Editing Head gasket failure (section)

=== Handling ===
If you suspect HGF, '''do not''' drive the car and have it checked by a reputable garage.  This can include checking the coolant for hydrocarbons to see if oil/gases have escaped past the gasket into the coolant ways. If the engine has overheated and the cylinder head has become warped, then the head will need to be skimmed so that it can be reseated onto a new gasket at a later date.


There is plenty of information about HG repalcement here, but a few points to note if you want it to last

i) the head should be hardness tested and be more than 95 Brinell

ii) the head should be peened on the fire ring area to eradicate porosity followed by a skim

iii) the liner heights should be checked and if they are lower then 4 thou they should be corrected

iv) a Payen BW750 gasket or if you must an MLS Payen BW5750 gasket should be used.

Get these right and the fix will last.