Thread: Cometic MLS Gasket leak

Wondered if anyone has had issues with Cometic head gaskets leaking? Found that one of the head gaskets I put in 200 miles ago is leaking coolant into the #1 cylinder. Argh! Going to tear the top back down to see what's going on. Can you reuse the gasket if it's a head finish problem?


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Which install procedure did you use?
How lean afr?
How much timing/boost?

2000 grand prix GTP 85,000 miles car has been sitting in a garage for 4-5 years ,bought the car in pieces with a Stattama turbo setup. Rebuilt the engine with all new bearings, bolts and gaskets. Went with Cometic gaskets to handle the boost from the turbo. I just got the car running a couple days ago. I installed the gaskets with copper spray and torqued the heads to 35, 55, 70, 85, used thread sealant on ARP head studs. Tightened the studs finger tight until bottomed out.
Started car and it ran fine, AFR was around 11.5. I didn't get on the car at all with breaking in the bearings. Max boost I saw was 6 pounds. Weird part was the car would run idling and not over heat or miss. The only time I had a problem was when I was at highway speeds temps would get up around 210 running a 160 stat. Then the car would start to miss.
Finally I pulled the plugs and the number 1 cylinder plug was covered in white crap. Noticed coolant was down 1/2 gallon or more.
Just pulled the head. Hard to tell where the leak was from with the copper spray on the gasket.

Machine shop said that the head is very flat. They are going to take .002 just to refinish the surface.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?lld11m

I'd try them again and torque to 40 60 80 90 90. Sounds like they didn't seal right or its another issue.

I just got the head re-torqued and I am working on getting everything bolted back on. I waited 5 mins between each torque step. We'll see what happens.