18 replies to this topic

[CityEPete]

i have got no idea how many head gaskets i have changed over the years, but i have never had this happen, and i have never heard of having to run the engine up to temperature before adding the coolant to get it to seal either.
 
i did re-do a head gasket for some a couple of months ago though after they had this happen. i basically started again, but used the exact same type of gasket he used (from minispares) and filled it with water before starting it too. i assumed he hadnt cleaned the mating faces up properly when he did it.

I thought I was going mad, im glad im not the only one who has never heard of this! How do you know its safe to add the coolant, how do you know how hot the engine is before adding any coolant either because the gauge wont read without any? So these gaskets can seal enough to take the combustion compression to start a freshly rebuilt engine probably not tuned, timed or mixture adjusted yet coolant under no pressure without the pump running or thermostat open just pours out?

[Gremlin]

I've got a fibre gasket in my 998 and it had a sort of silocone on each side, it said on the packaging clean the mating surfaces, put the gasket on, torque the head down, start engine and run until the head is watm to touch, then add coolant, keep running and top up coolant if level drops

[CityEPete]

Well everyday is a school day! This is where the internet is so handy, cool.

[Stu.]

If coolant was running out before you've even started the engine then you've either got something trapped between the block and head, or your torque wrench is screwed. Have you checked to see if the leak is from around a hoze or the water pump and its running around the front of the head. If your not sure whether it's the head why not do a quick compression test to confirm its the gasket ?