reuse of a MLS style head gasket

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randytrish

Joined
Apr 21, 2008
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North Carolina
Hi all,
I have a question about the reuse of a MLS (muti layer steel) head gasket on a 3.2 MB V6. I'm replacing head gaskets on this car and I installed the left head and then realized that I can't get the exhaust manifold bolts tightened. The head has been torqued, but that's it. I would like to save myself $40 and not have to replace this gasket, but if there's a question of reusing I'll replace it.
Thanks in advance,
Randy
 
What does Mercedes say about reusing the gasket? Also, some of the European makes have specs on the TTY bolts. You measure them and if they're under a certain length they're safe to reuse. That's another thing to check before tossing the old bolts.
 
Originally Posted By: randytrish
Hi all,
I have a question about the reuse of a MLS (muti layer steel) head gasket on a 3.2 MB V6. I'm replacing head gaskets on this car and I installed the left head and then realized that I can't get the exhaust manifold bolts tightened. The head has been torqued, but that's it. I would like to save myself $40 and not have to replace this gasket, but if there's a question of reusing I'll replace it.
Thanks in advance,
Randy


For $40 do you want to risk a "do over"?
 
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: randytrish
Hi all,
I have a question about the reuse of a MLS (muti layer steel) head gasket on a 3.2 MB V6. I'm replacing head gaskets on this car and I installed the left head and then realized that I can't get the exhaust manifold bolts tightened. The head has been torqued, but that's it. I would like to save myself $40 and not have to replace this gasket, but if there's a question of reusing I'll replace it.
Thanks in advance,
Randy


For $40 do you want to risk a "do over"?


+1

I been there on the "cheapest of the cheap" engine jobs, and sometimes people think that is you put RTV on HG that it will be OK if it did not blow. (Seeping HG vs blown.)

We had to do the head gaskets again.

Two, and sometimes three, cheap jobs = costof expensive shop. The idea that it will work makes you try cheapest first.

I have had an experience with having to have something done 4 times to get it right.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I would never consider reusing a HG.


I have seen them reused with copper head gaskets, but that is for race cars. For 99.9999% of applications, throw them away and start over.
 
Thanks for the replies. It's looks like a overwhelming NO. Everyone understands that the car has not ran. I only put the head on and torqued it down before I realized I couldn't access the manifold bolts. Hey I just thought I'd ask because I didn't know. I'll pick up a new gasket and measure the bolts when I get the head off.
Thanks again,
Randy
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: randytrish
Hi all,
I have a question about the reuse of a MLS (muti layer steel) head gasket on a 3.2 MB V6. I'm replacing head gaskets on this car and I installed the left head and then realized that I can't get the exhaust manifold bolts tightened. The head has been torqued, but that's it. I would like to save myself $40 and not have to replace this gasket, but if there's a question of reusing I'll replace it.
Thanks in advance,
Randy


I used Bar's and it was a very bad experience on my car. Now my car is no running no more
My mechanic come to my house, spent hours on the car, but the car is damaged for using Bar's head gasket fix
Looking in the Internet i found big stuff about Bar's head gasket fix and it is no good at all

Bar’s Products Inc, MI 48442, had no merits to obtain a US PATENT and US TRADEMARK REGISTRATION.
Its argument were not solid enough to prove anything on the product known as BAR’S PERMANENT HEAD GASKET FIX # 1111 and how the product will fix or repair anything at all


UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
________________________________________
Commissioner for Trademarks
P.O. Box 1451
Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
www.uspto.gov

Aug 28, 2009
NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT

_______________________________________
SERIAL NUMBER:
MARK:
APPLICANT: 77/261335
HEAD GASKET FIX
Bar's Products, Inc.
________________________________________

THE ABOVE IDENTIFIED TRADEMARK APPLICATION WAS ABANDONED IN FULL ON 07/30/2009 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON:

NO RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE ACTION MAILED ON 01/30/2009 WAS RECEIVED IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO) WITHIN THE SIX-MONTH RESPONSE PERIOD. (15 U.S.C. 1062(b); TRADEMARK RULE 2.65(a)).
 
I assumed the above member was already banned for spamming the board with his complaint. Oh well, it should happen soon enough...
 
If it was a hobby or project car, I would probably roll the dice and re-use the gaskets and bolts.
 
I know someone who pulled a head on a V6 Toyota for similar reasons to the OP... Same deal, torqued but not started... Saw the car yesterday, it seems to be doing OK...
 
Ive ordered another gasket and also pulled the head today and the gasket looks like new. There aren't any areas that crush or form that I can see. The head and the block are completely flat, no raised edges anywhere. I was 90% leaning toward replacing from the start. I had hoped that someone here was more familiar with the 3.2 benz engine that could assure me it would be alright.
Thanks again for the replies,
 
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