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Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Transit Mk3, 4 & 5(smiley front) Forum. All Transits 1986 - 2000

Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby Kjeles » Tue Oct 15, 2019 6:16 pm

Does it make sense to replace a non-leaking head gasket?

Instead of taking the head off, I took the engine out of a Mk3 1987 petrol to replace the cam shaft after recommendations on this forum and since I had to take out the gearbox anyway.

The engine has gone 160,000 km (100,000 miles). Nothing appears to have been done to it since it was new. The head cover gasket was leaking (hard and brittle), and the exhaust manifold gasket was leaking (broken studs).

With the engine out, it seems easy enough to take off the head anyway to replace the head gasket and to check valves before they start to leak?

What are the chances that a 30-year-old head gasket might bust in the near future?

What would you have done?
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby Arca_MK2 » Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:29 am

I don´t know if the gasket will bust in the near future. But it makes sense to replace the gasket once the engine is out of the vehicle.

It is a technical part, which is exposed to very high loads. You never know how much longer it will last. It could be another 100 000 miles, but it also could be just 100 miles.

I would change it.
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby gotgcoalman » Fri Oct 18, 2019 5:18 pm

Kjeles wrote:Does it make sense to replace a non-leaking head gasket?

None whatsoever.

Instead of taking the head off, I took the engine out of a Mk3 1987 petrol to replace the cam shaft after recommendations on this forum and since I had to take out the gearbox anyway.

saves having to do the head gasket 8)

The engine has gone 160,000 km (100,000 miles). Nothing appears to have been done to it since it was new. The head cover gasket was leaking (hard and brittle), and the exhaust manifold gasket was leaking (broken studs).

probably good for another 100,000 miles then :D

With the engine out, it seems easy enough to take off the head anyway to replace the head gasket and to check valves before they start to leak?

If you take the head off check if you need a spline or torx set for the bolts :idea:

What are the chances that a 30-year-old head gasket might bust in the near future?

How longs a piece of string? New gasket could fail a month after fitting. :wink:

What would you have done?


If it ain't broke :idea:
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby twin wheel camper » Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:10 pm

gotgcoalman wrote:
Kjeles wrote:Does it make sense to replace a non-leaking head gasket?

None whatsoever.

Instead of taking the head off, I took the engine out of a Mk3 1987 petrol to replace the cam shaft after recommendations on this forum and since I had to take out the gearbox anyway.

saves having to do the head gasket 8)

The engine has gone 160,000 km (100,000 miles). Nothing appears to have been done to it since it was new. The head cover gasket was leaking (hard and brittle), and the exhaust manifold gasket was leaking (broken studs).

probably good for another 100,000 miles then :D

With the engine out, it seems easy enough to take off the head anyway to replace the head gasket and to check valves before they start to leak?

If you take the head off check if you need a spline or torx set for the bolts :idea:

What are the chances that a 30-year-old head gasket might bust in the near future?

How longs a piece of string? New gasket could fail a month after fitting. :wink:

What would you have done?


If it ain't broke :idea:


My thoughts exactly 8)
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby Chug » Sat Oct 19, 2019 10:51 am

Easy enough to do when the engine is out and then you have peace of mind, rather than finding yourself having to do it at a less convenient time.
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby madmart132 » Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:13 pm

Chances are that it's not the original head gasket anyway as doubtful that the valve seats would have taken 100k on unleaded fuel . If you have the knowledge take the head off lap the valves in and replace the valve seals decoke the head and possibly change the valve springs it will make it seem like a new engine
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Re: Replace a perfectly fine head gasket?

Postby Abcd123 » Sun Nov 10, 2019 3:06 am

I would change it, less headache in the future.
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