5 Layer Steel Head Gasket

[vk2kyg]

Hi Guys
Anybody know of,or used a 5 layer steel head gasket from STA in NZ? for a GSR Engine
A mate and I bought these for our rebuilds,his is back in the car running but is leaking oil and water around the head. Has anyone heard of this before is it a common problem or a one of faulty product.
My engine is still on the stand and I would like to find out more about this problem as it would be easer to change it now than later in the car.
I'm rather concerned mine may be faulty as well.
Any advise please.
Regards Neil

 

[JSTYLE]

5 layer head gasket? fark... how low comp do you want it?
i see no point in the 5 layer one?
theres a couple of MLS ones you can get.. pm me and ill let ya know.

Jon

 

[bazeng]

I have a used Tomei and HKS one, they have heaps of layers without actually looking like they have....

it sorta looks like a 3 layer, but if u pull them apart, they have are very thin layers compressed..

did you use copper spray?
did you surface the head? / block?

 

[vk2kyg]

Hi Jon
The reason for the 5 layer was the CP piston stick up above the deck by .3mm the 5 layer is 1.2mm thick, same as standard comp gasket
twin layer gasket is only .4mm thick and the triple layer is only .6mm thick
both these gaskets would raise the compression.
block and head was decked.yes and copper spray yes.
leaking all around outer edge. Any ideas
regards neil

 

[JETGSR]

do a compression test! and check the water for combustion contamination.
how much oil is around the head and where is it coming from? back sides etc etc
try a re-torque of the head (cold naturally)

JetGSR

 

[EVO-00X]

Hi Neil, its probably not a fault of the gasket itself, but more like surface preparation of the head/block, or almost can bet on the tension of head bolts coming loose. Did he re-use the stock headbolts? did he measure their lengths before refitting them to rule out stretching? Did he use ARP bolts and lube and torque to ARP specs? Has he retensioned the head after fitting ARP's? (which you shouldnt be doing actually).

 

[vk2kyg]

Hi Rob
Engine was assembled by an engine builder,ARP new studs,were used to spec
the worst leak is on the rear end above the gearbox,buy pretty much seeping
out all around, has done 400klms since starting and been back to engine builder for a retention already and still leaking,not as bad now but still seeping. There doesn't seem to be any contamination in the water or oil.
Has anybody else used one of these head gaskets.
Still waiting on STA to return advise.
My worry is mine will do the same thing. Not sure what to do now.
regards Neil

 

[bazeng]

are you 100% sure its comming from the head gasket area?

did he pull out the grub screws for the oil channels / water channels in the head?

did he loctite the middle exhaust manifold stud which actually goes through a water gallery?

 

[EVO-00X]

Neil, yeah the rear of the engine above the gearbox is usually the first place to leak when someone has cracked/warped the head and done the headgasket in.

Are you 100% sure the head was checked for warping etc? and if so, when the head was picked up from the machine shop before assembly, do you know how it was stored in the garage/mechanics etc? Reason being is that they must ALWAYS be sitting on something flat like a large plank of wood until they are fitted onto the block. I've seen people put reco'd heads standing up on their sides or ends and on uneven surfaces in storage before assembly and that's just asking for trouble :roll:

Also, has he had any problem with overheating during when the engine was being worn in?

Just ruling out other plausible reasons before drawing the conclusion to the headgasket

 

[vk2kyg]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the response.
I will be speaking to the mate over the weekend,I'm not up on all his nitty gritty,so I will ask when we talk.I will put all your suggestions to him.
I'm keen to find out thou,so it doesn't happen to mine.
Regards Neil

 

[WADADLIG_EVO]

Was there every any closure on this?

I bought a rebuilt engine and after install it seems to be leaking in the rear over the gear box where you all are suggesting.

What is the remedy? Is that a head gasket problem?

I do have an over heating problem especially when I put my AC on high. The thermo radiator fan does not come on as far as I can tell, only the AC condenser fan?

Going to try to replace the thermostat but the leaking oil problem sounds very similar to what I have.

WADAD

 

[vk2kyg]

No I haven't had a solution to this yet. My engine is sill in the shed not fitted yet untried untested till the end of this year. The mate with the leaking one changed head gaskets but I haven't found out to what.
For myself, Dew to no replies from anyone using the STA 5 layer gasket I have decided to try it when my conversion is done around xmas time.
In the mean time after talking to david at RPW I have bought a 1mm steel shim and a genuine 2 layer Mitsubishi head gasket as used by RPW with great success,as a backup in case mine does leak when it gets fired up. I will just have to change it in the car if the worst happens.
Of course STA claim to be selling hundreds of 5 layer gaskets with no complaints at all. haha.
I have been unable to fine anyone who has used one before.
Regards Neil