Head Gasket #4... Seriously?

[camboscams]

So my 1.5l block/1.6l rotating assembly has struck again... Maybe its the 25:1 compression and the 15psi of boost  So anyways the very first headgasket i put on leaked oil externally, the second one leaked oil into the coolant, the third was a compression related failure, and the most recent failure is another external oil leak. The block and head were decked when i rebuilt the engine three years ago. Is this normal? I have arps, but with the 11mm block i would hate to take the torque much higher.

The thought crossed my mind to bring the pistons up to top dead center and carefully shave some off of them to lower the compression, but i could never get their weights back to where they need to be so that might be out of the question. I'm already running the thickest headgaskets i can get. But on the other hand i have only had one compression related failure so that might not be an issue.

But do these fiber gaskets really fail that often? I've tried elring, felpro ect ect Does anyone have any input?

[410]

You might want to try a metal gasket from an aaz.  Have you tried warming the engine up, cool it down and recheck head stud torque? 

[camboscams]

Its a mech block and head, It would take some doing to put one on, but am i creating more problems for myself trying to seal the other unused ports in the gasket... I even own one still in the original bag
And a re-torque yields no change. doesn't even move the bolts at all.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

The head studs still have a lil bit of a learning curve left.

So far - i think 120 ft.lbs is farthest anyone has had to take them - and no ill effects.

What # ft.lbs. are you using ?
If you're stopping at 90-100 .... go on up to 110 or 120 next time.
And use some of the copperkote or hylomar spray on both sides.
If all that doesn't hold one and keep it dry .... well ..... idunno maybe you can get a case-lot discount on headgaskets somewhere.   

[745 turbogreasel]

But do these fiber gaskets really fail that often? I've tried elring, felpro ect ect Does anyone have any input?

Do you think VW phased out fiber gaskets for fun?

[theman53]

Why do you have an 11mm block? Did you swap the internals from the 1.5 or someone else. If I were you and you can handle the costs and such try to find a 12mm block.

I did a metal HG on a mech 1.6 with no issues at all. If I were to do it again I would use the same stuff, it is called teflon joint sealant tape. You only need a piece about and inch or so long and a mech gasket *which you should have plenty* for a template. Then I sprayed hylomar on both sides of the entire gasket.

I have no experience with the 11mm arp, but the 12mm take up to 120ft/lbs and that is the cogsworth set. They are making a 12mm vw set now that I haven't used either. I would just make sure all surfaces are flat and clean, follow the bentley for the sequence but not the torque. I torqued mine in 20lb steps starting at 30lbs and IIRC went to 110. So 30,50,70,90, then 110.

Some say only use victor reinz, but I have used the fel pro HG with perfect results.

[camboscams]

But do these fiber gaskets really fail that often? I've tried elring, felpro ect ect Does anyone have any input?

Do you think VW phased out fiber gaskets for fun?

Exactly...

The head studs still have a lil bit of a learning curve left.

So far - i think 120 ft.lbs is farthest anyone has had to take them - and no ill effects.

What # ft.lbs. are you using ?
If you're stopping at 90-100 .... go on up to 110 or 120 next time.
And use some of the copperkote or hylomar spray on both sides.
If all that doesn't hold one and keep it dry .... well ..... idunno maybe you can get a case-lot discount on headgaskets somewhere.   

It calls for IIRC about 90ft lbs with moly lube. And i've increased it slightly but it starts to get spongy so i don't want to take it any farther.

I'm on a line for getting a 12mm hydro block so if the deal goes through my problems will be no more...

[camboscams]

So after having a 12mm hydro block and head purchase fall through and some minor number crunching, I've come to the conclusion that 100 dollars for a custom MLS head gasket might not be the end of the world. But to battle my over compression GasketsToGo will make them to any thickness i want and fit a 11mm mech block  . So would it be possible to get a much thicker mls head gasket and lower my compression to a more comfortable level? And if so how thick would it need to be? and what would be too thick? Obvisoly

[maxfax]

So would it be possible to get a much thicker mls head gasket and lower my compression to a more comfortable level? And if so how thick would it need to be? and what would be too thick? Obvisoly

This would work, but you would have some less than ideal conditions for combustion. Kinda like slapping a 3 notch gasket on a 1 notch engine..   Are you running the 1.5 or the 1.6 head? The 1.5 head would give you the extra high compression VS the 1.6 head..  I ran such a setup (1.6 rotating assembly in a 1.5 block and head) for quite a few years..  Ultimately the failure came from the block cracking..  Are you totally 125% sure there isn't a crack in the block around the bolt next to the oil port?

[camboscams]

So would it be possible to get a much thicker mls head gasket and lower my compression to a more comfortable level? And if so how thick would it need to be? and what would be too thick? Obvisoly

This would work, but you would have some less than ideal conditions for combustion. Kinda like slapping a 3 notch gasket on a 1 notch engine..   Are you running the 1.5 or the 1.6 head? The 1.5 head would give you the extra high compression VS the 1.6 head..  I ran such a setup (1.6 rotating assembly in a 1.5 block and head) for quite a few years..  Ultimately the failure came from the block cracking..  Are you totally 125% sure there isn't a crack in the block around the bolt next to the oil port?

I'm running the 1.5l head. I had never thought about running 1.6l head on it. i have one too that makes it even better.
I have never checked for a crack there cause the oil always started leaking from the HG line and down. I'll have to check. Could you see yours externally or did you have to have the head off to see it?
How would that make for less then ideal conditions for combustion?

[belchfire]

Do you have a compression tester? Might be good to find out what your initial  compression is before you do all of the other stuff. I had 495# on my 1.6 using a victor-reinz and 15 psi with no problems. Used stock tty bolts with the incremental 1/4 turn tightening and a final of 105 ft/lb. (or 115 help me here, I forget). I put an ever so slight film of silicone around the oil return hole (hyd engine) as that area is prone to leakage.