A WARNING about 300tdi head gaskets

[v8seriesone]

I've just done a head gasket change on my 300tdi 90

I used an original Land Rover parts head gasket as I didn't want to take any gambles with quality - it's an expensive engine to make a c*ck up on...

I was horrified to see that the holes punched in the gasket shims did not line up with each other to the extent that one oilway to the head was completely blocked. I would have taken it back to complain, but did not have time so drilled out the offending bit of shim instead.

has anyone else come across this?

anyone about to do a head gasket - check all the holes are clear and line up with the block!

Dom.

[mmgemini]

Since whan did Land Rover make head gaskets ???

[v8seriesone]

presume land rover made it....?

It was bought from a land rover main dealer parts department, and cost twice what paddocks wanted  :shock:

Dom.

[Xtremeteam]

I've just done a head gasket change on my 300tdi 90

I used an original Land Rover parts head gasket as I didn't want to take any gambles with quality - it's an expensive engine to make a c*ck up on...

I was horrified to see that the holes punched in the gasket shims did not line up with each other to the extent that one oilway to the head was completely blocked. I would have taken it back to complain, but did not have time so drilled out the offending bit of shim instead.

has anyone else come across this?

anyone about to do a head gasket - check all the holes are clear and line up with the block!

Dom.

you did fit it the right way up?
i know if you put it down the wrong way up it has a similar effect

[v8seriesone]

I've just done a head gasket change on my 300tdi 90

I used an original Land Rover parts head gasket as I didn't want to take any gambles with quality - it's an expensive engine to make a c*ck up on...

I was horrified to see that the holes punched in the gasket shims did not line up with each other to the extent that one oilway to the head was completely blocked. I would have taken it back to complain, but did not have time so drilled out the offending bit of shim instead.

has anyone else come across this?

anyone about to do a head gasket - check all the holes are clear and line up with the block!

Dom.

you did fit it the right way up?
i know if you put it down the wrong way up it has a similar effect

yes it was the right way up, but the problem was not between the block and the gasket, it was between the riveted shims of the gasket itself - you could see it by just holding it up and looking... scary stuff.