hey guys just wonering real quick if this is true that once you compress a head gasket, even if its brand new, it cannot be reused

please let me know this is a "rumor" ive heard for a while

b18c1 OEM head gasket thats brand new

 

I believe that is correct Bones...subscribed, interested to know others thoughts.

I've always heard this myth as well.

 

lol its bullshit i put my head on torqued it down and found out one of my valves wasnt seated correctly

FML!

 

True,you can not reuse a head gasket after its already been installed,try and reuse it and you would need to compress it even more witch can over torque the head bolts and they can snap. The gasket also has a spray on sealant that reacts to heat,so once the motor has been running,the sealant bonds the gaskets.http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4055610AANAxoI

 

You can compresses it but do not run the motor or your gonna need a new gasket

 

Wrong,once its been compressed,you alter the shape of the gasket and it wont seal right anymore. The gaskets are made as a one time use and that's it,reuse it and you can end up with bigger problems. Some people have reused there gaskets before,but i strongly recommend you buy a new one,it will save you the cost in costly repairs.

Here,have fun reading.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=can+you+reuse+a+head+gasket

 

Never reuse a HG or any gasket/seal for that matter, although it is possible, it's taking a big chance in cost, time and effort, and as mentioned, possible damage, as used gaskets fail for more often then they work. 94

 

OP,just look it up and read all the pages that come up,if you do your math right,you will see that about 20% of people say you can reuse it,but the other 80% of people say "NO".

 

HG's are only meant to be torqued down once.

 

thanks guys the only reason i was wondering was because it is brand new and i just torqued it down for about 30 mins b4 i realized the valve was leaking....so it was never run but from wut i have heard and read it doesnt matter cause once its compressed once its done

also in quote to the second reply u said it would have to b compressed more...im running arp head studs and i compressed them the first time to 80 ftlbs

ive heard that you can toque all the way to 100ftlbs with them

if this is true could i reuse the gasket but just torque it more then i did the first time?

 

You're playing with fire, but won't necessarily get burned.

Do you want to risk it?

 

building it for a turbo so i rather not

but i could use the old one for compression bench testing incase something else decides to go wrong

 

once they are compressed, they cannot be reused

 

You can keep it for future purposes. Like claying a motor.

 

they say you are not supose to re use it i did once and didnt have any problem with it didnt over heat didnt leak maybe luck?

 

Different tuners have different methods don't say that I'm wrong when there 2 ways to do something.. Me and my engine builder torque the motor 10 -15 lbs less un do everything then do a final torque after everythings 100 just cause google says it or some people on an internet thread doesn't mean its the only way

 

Let's remember what the purpose of a gasket is. The material is supposed to be plyable enough to bend and shape into place between the head and the block so that it does not leak. Once it's been compressed after a torque down, it's permanently molded into the shape. It is impossible to reseat the gasket to EXACTLY how it was when the head was torqued down. If you were to try to reinstall a head on a used gasket, you will run into leaks and other problems almost guaranteed.

It's logic, not some myth or mystery.

 

why is no one discussing gasket material. composite gaskets never can be re used for any reason. MLS gaskets shouldn't be re used but it's possible to do so and have an engine hold compression. personally i would never try it just because of the labor involved to see if it really did save me $50

the #1 reason MLS gaskets even "blow" is

a. distorted deck
b. warped head
c. too coarse of RA was used shaving at machine shop

 

My question is would you play russian roulete? if you would the reuse hg if not buy a new one.