Athena 1.2mm head gasket problem!

[starletezy]

This is what has happened after a week of use head was rebuild skimmed and checked same with the block bolted down with arp head bolts to the right touqe settings arp provided me with every thing was good when driving couple days and all of a sudden i lost compression on cylinder 2 and 3 cracked the engine open to find a piece of the gasket missing between cylinder 2 and 3 any suggesgtions why this might of happend faulty gasket??

[fiddlersport]

faulty gasket ?

[Ollieh17]

bad map?

[olidaviesuk]

was the block completely flat (checked with a straight edge)? assuming pistons okay and no sign of det? unusual for a MLS gasket to go like that...

[TimD]

Mind did this between 3 and 4!

My block wasn't flat, obviosy didn't know that before fitting it.

[starletezy]

Block and head was checked and rechecked it was completely flat! Going to get It checked agin now the head is off do not have a clue what could of done this was on low boost was running sweet until it blew

[TimD]

There you go.. Mine tested as flat with a straight edge, but once it was on the machine for a proper check it needed skimming.

[TimD]

It lasted 7 or so laps of Silverstone before expiring

[starletezy]

Looks exactly identical to mine maybe could be like you said might be slightly warped block was flat before fitted so very confused lol heard people have had issues with these in the past something to do with a faulty batch

[TimD]

The multi layer ones need absolutely fat surfaces to seal, you'll likely get away with fitting an OE one.

You'll need to rebuild the bottom end if you have to any work done on the block.

[starletezy]

Yeah flat surface is important with these gaskets Going back to oem now will get a much better seal

[TimD]

I opted for a rebuild, and now can't decided whether or not to fit an Athena or OE when I put it back together.

[starletezy]

I would go for oem mate unless you need a thicker gasket for your build seen people run oem gaskets on forged engines with no issues what so ever

[fiddlersport]

use a straight edge ruler or something true and flat and get the feeler gauges on it, pretty sure there is a manual on google search and you find all info and what to do, good luck

[starletezy]

What I'm exactly going to do if it's all good oem gasket is going on cheers mate!

[fiddlersport]

contact athena aswell so they know whats going on and may help you out some how ???

[starletezy]

contact athena aswell so they know whats going on and may help you out some how ???

Sounds like a good idea might do that I know they did have an faulty batch a while ago was a sealing issue...

[starletezy]

Right guys done an feeler test between cylinder 2&3 is slightly warped I have an oem gasket would it seal it is the question any advice?

Cheers Tez

[fiddlersport]

if the athena head gasket blew between these cylinders then i dont thing the oem will hold up long, could be block out and off to the machine shop for decking !

[Ollieh17]

Oem composite gaskets will seal better on poor surfaces than MLS

[starletezy]

I'm pretty sure it will seal as the oem gasket is a lot softer it's not major warped the msl steel gasket didn't old long as the blocked didn't get decked before installing it

[akyakapotter]

Get the block skimmed it won't seal if it's warped you'll be wasting to you're time rebuilding it bud.

[starletezy]

Cheers for the advise guys

[TimD]

If you've got the head gasket might as well give it a go?! I would,and probably should have.

[starletezy]

If you've got the head gasket might as well give it a go?! I would,and probably should have.

That's what im going to do mate its not majorly warped only slightly got an oem one here ready to go on