16 replies to this topic

[Team Loxley Racing]

I've recently got myself a new cylinder head. And the head gasket blew between the 1st and 2nd cylinder. Now all the torque settings were correct because it was fitted by professionals, who followed the company's own instructions. I was trying to run it in gently so that it wouldn't go. Instead the head gasket went within a week. The engine was running fine, no issues, no over heating problems. So we called up The Company, and had words. And then decided to tell us that it was our fault, we then put them on to our mechanics and found that they were happy with what they had done.

So we eventually agree to have new head gasket sent out. Which I was very pleased about. Until nearly a week later after having 48 hour delivery, we call up to ask what has happened to it and find out they have lost our order. Okay, they sent us another one Gasket. We got it today and opened it up to find this:




Photos taken about 30 seconds after opening.

As you can see the corner is bent completely off the backing, its bent away from the middle, it was sticky and oily. The whole gasket is bent. And there is no damage to the postal packaging.

Is this some kind of joke because we argued the fact that they had made a faulty part?

A second Gasket Kit turned up Saturday morning as well I wasn't there to receive it but it was taken straight out to the garage to get fitted, but never the less, the 1st one shouldn't of bust, the 2nd one shouldn't of been lost, and this 3rd one shouldn't be in this kind of state.

My family and I have spent what must be getting close to £1000 with The Company since I got my mini since November, and then get awful customer service, bad attitude towards a complaint about a gasket kit which doesn't cost more than £30 after spending near to a £1000 with them, then this rather unfunny joke of a Head Gasket.

Its Unacceptable.

I've left this company, a well known parts supplier anonymous for legal reasons.

Rant over.

James, disgruntled customer.

(edit for image re-hosting)

Edited by Team Loxley Racing, 15 March 2010 - 03:58 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

I assume it's a 1275, in which case use a BK450 head gasket and not copper, which IMO are cr*p and a waste of money.

[Team Loxley Racing]

I assume it's a 1275, in which case use a BK450 head gasket and not copper, which IMO are cr*p and a waste of money.

Its a 998, we were assured that this was their best quality gasket. =/

[GreaseMonkey]

Any pictures of the head?

[Team Loxley Racing]

Any pictures of the head?

Nope, its currently with my mini at the Mechanics.

[jaydee]

Is that a genuine peyen? i dont think so..
I've noticed the cheap 998 gaskets come usually in better conditions than copper ones, always received slightly bended gaskets from peyen ( not even folded that way, thats a defective item!)

[Guess-Works.com]

Ohh, that's better the photo's were a bit 'large' before lol

for copper to seal well both head and block need to be perfect ( if not freshly skimmed ) I've never had any luck with copper, on a 998 I've never had any bother with the stock composite gaskets..

However, does not excuse the condition of the gasket you've received.

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 15 March 2010 - 04:12 PM.

[GreaseMonkey]

It does not look clean and fresh at all, was the box sealed properly when you got it? Was it retaped?

[Team Loxley Racing]

It does not look clean and fresh at all, was the box sealed properly when you got it? Was it retaped?

The box was completely fine. no damage & no retape.

[jaydee]

to be honest it looks a used gasket..

[Frog]

It looks like one of those really cheap & nasty gaskets that you sometimes see at the shows. Finding good gaskets seems to becoming a bit of an art. I generally try to stick with Payen but even these can be very hard to source.

[Darkscamp]

Strange, i recognise that packaging and i've had a dud copper gasket from them before. In fact it was more like 2 gaskets with the extent it was seperated

I always used payen copper ones until i found payen BK450's at the same price

[tahitigirl]

geeez did they drive over it before they packaged it????

[Twincam]

Could try getting in touch with the Trading standards agency...?

[Team Loxley Racing]

Strange, i recognise that packaging and i've had a dud copper gasket from them before. In fact it was more like 2 gaskets with the extent it was seperated

I always used payen copper ones until i found payen BK450's at the same price

So I'm not the only person to have an issue with their head gaskets which apparently haven't any issues before. =/

Just wonder about how wide the between cylinder 1/2 and 3/4 piece of the gasket should be? because the gaskets I've got a have a pretty dam narrow bit to be honest...