which headgasket for J4 after skimming

1. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

   #1 22nd February 2010, 10:52

   Hi all,
   
   My 106 gti (J4 engine) is having its head skimmed tomorrow due to HG failure.
   
   I've not had the car that long, and don't have reliable history for it.
   
   My friend is a mechanic and he says just to use a 'normal' gasket to rebuild, but I'm concerned about inadvertently messing up the compression ratio.
   
   Which size should I use to do this right?
   
   Any pointers would be very much appreciated.
2. moxy89 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2008 Southampton Posts: 8188 Astra vxr with added boost

   #2 22nd February 2010, 12:13

   used a standard my head gasket just went but i didnt drive it so the head was fine... came up a treat just get a citreon one.. then jobs a gooden
3. scott-richards Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2008 porthcawl Posts: 100 white mk1 saxo vts Black mk1 vtr turbo

   #3 22nd February 2010, 12:28

   yeahh standard gasket mate , make sure you get new head bolts too dont use the ones that came out
4. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

   #4 22nd February 2010, 12:31

   Thanks for the info guys
   
   So to confirm a standard gasket even if I skim the head?
   
   The car has done 110k, I'm not even sure if its been done before. It didn't over heat, but my buddy who is helping with the job is insistant on a head skim.
   
   My concern is screwing compression ratio if this turns out to be the second skim + standard gasket (if you get my drift)
5. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #5 22nd February 2010, 12:38

   There are three different gasket thicknesses, you really should make sure you have the right one.
   
   That said, I used a minimum thickness one when I skimmed my head and it never seemed to affect the car.
6. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

   #6 22nd February 2010, 12:46

   Quote:

   There are three different gasket thicknesses, you really should make sure you have the right one.

   I guess that is my worry.
   
   I really have no idea to work out how much my head has been skimmed in the past (if at all) and subsequently if the skim I'm having done tomorrow will make any difference or not.
   
   Confusion.
7. MJ05LLY Established Member Joined: Jan 2008 Doncaster Posts: 1616 Audi TTS

   #7 22nd February 2010, 12:48

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gabbastard There are three different gasket thicknesses, you really should make sure you have the right one. That said, I used a minimum thickness one when I skimmed my head and it never seemed to affect the car.

   Is their, when i ordered mine from GSF they just ordered me one. How can i find out which size mine is, what is the relevance of all these sizes too.
   Do you definitely need new head bolts too? I ordered some, but the guy said you dont need to change them if you aint the stretch bolts
8. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

   #8 22nd February 2010, 12:55

   They are strech bolts (as far as I know) so should be replaced.
   
   Gaskets are definately available in different sizes, pug/cit parts desk will sell one of three sizes to you. standard, first and second repair IIRC.
   
   The idea is to maintain the same compression after a head skim.
   
   GSF appear to only do one gasket.
   
   I just don't know how much difference this all makes.
9. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

   #9 22nd February 2010, 16:01

   Also does anybody know what size torx socket the head bolts require?
10. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #10 22nd February 2010, 16:12

    E14 iirc
11. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

    #11 22nd February 2010, 16:31

    lifesaver. Just needed to check I got that size in my kit before getting the bus home from town.
12. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #12 23rd February 2010, 11:58

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wall-e They are strech bolts (as far as I know) so should be replaced. Gaskets are definately available in different sizes, pug/cit parts desk will sell one of three sizes to you. standard, first and second repair IIRC. The idea is to maintain the same compression after a head skim. GSF appear to only do one gasket. I just don't know how much difference this all makes.

    dealing with wrong people --we list + stock 4 dif sizes.
13. wall-e L-plater Joined: Jul 2009 Canterbury Posts: 57 1997 106 gti (aka wall-e)

    #13 23rd February 2010, 15:18

    Quote:

    dealing with wrong people --we list + stock 4 dif sizes.

    I wish I'd read this before spending the whole day on a bus, getting my head skimmed, changing valve seals etc and fitting a standard J4 gasket. lol
14. user_10176 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2006 Ramsey st marys, peterborough Posts: 8288 Saxo's, Corsa (Daily)

    #14 23rd February 2010, 18:26

    also check which size head gasket was on it already as i strip two engines now, both had the 1.7mm head gasket!!!
    
    andy