Head Gasket Blown - Head Studs and Gasket Recommendations

[doctorbee]

just went through this ordeal. started with disappearing coolant and progressed to rough cold starts for 1-2 seconds and finally consistent misfires with load/boost. swapping coils and spark plugs from the problematic to the good cylinders did not help.

leak down test resulted in a bubble forming every 2-3 minutes at 90psi. since it was a small leak I opted to use Subaru coolant conditioner, a mild stop leak formula. After about a week of driving the coolant level has remained steady and the misfires are gone. no bubbles detected with a repeat leakdown test.

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[Chizzo]

This is the gasket ill be using when i need a rebuild with a bigger turbo. It has a built in fire ring with no modification needed to the block

 

[Lagos]

Curious what modifications and tune was everyone that this happened to on ?

 

[doctorbee]

Off the shelf hondata 91 tune for upgraded intercooler and cat back exhaust.

 

[Lagos]

Off the shelf hondata 91 tune for upgraded intercooler and cat back exhaust.

Really surprising that this happens with the 91 tune. I’ve seen a good bit of knock with the 93 tune which most people say to avoid long term but the 91 seemed pretty safe and not that much more power over stock.

how many miles are on your car now and how long was it flashed for? Any chance it was flashed by a previous owner for e85?

 

[doctorbee]

Really surprising that this happens with the 91 tune. I’ve seen a good bit of knock with the 93 tune which most people say to avoid long term but the 91 seemed pretty safe and not that much more power over stock.

how many miles are on your car now and how long was it flashed for? Any chance it was flashed by a previous owner for e85?

i had a minor overheat once and it began losing coolant since that one time

 

[REDRAGN]

My mistake. I did mean intake valves. I have used CRC a few times also, maybe that helped. But do look at these other pictures inside the head.

I suppose what matters most is that the tops of the valves are relatively clean.

Keep in mind, the valve faces are most likely clean due to the coolant intrusion "steam cleaning" them. But I'll agree that catch cans are good insurance. I run the PCV and CCV Radium ones.

I had the same headgasket issue and just went full 4Piston build as my cylinders got scored.

Goodluck!

 

[Gavin_Danitz]

Does anyone have experience with cometic? JSR says cometic over oem but most people seem to use oem. Just got my head machined, only 0.003.

 

[Dr_Drache]

Does anyone have experience with cometic? JSR says cometic over oem but most people seem to use oem. Just got my head machined, only 0.003.

I would like to call in @seselectronics -
he's done a many build, and has experience I would at least consider.

personally, I went JE - as if you shop, you can find it $100 cheaper than the "top" companies, and since JE is drop-shipped, you're paying nearly $100 extra for a company to process your payment.

 

[gtman]

Does anyone have experience with cometic? JSR says cometic over oem but most people seem to use oem. Just got my head machined, only 0.003.

I know @bbeem has installed 3 head gaskets in his Si.

1. He blew his original stock head gasket.

2. Replaced that with another OEM gasket (using the stock bolts) and it blew.

3. He replaced that setup with a Cometic gasket and ARP studs and has had no issues.

It's possible the real issue is the stock bolts but I haven't heard of anyone having issues with Cometic gasket.

 

[Gavin_Danitz]

I know @bbeem has installed 3 head gaskets in his Si.

1. He blew his original stock head gasket.

2. Replaced that with another OEM gasket (using the stock bolts) and it blew.

3.l He replaced that setup with a Cometic gasket and ARP studs and has had no issues.

It's possible the real issue is the stock bolts but I haven't heard of anyone having issues with Cometic gasket.

Arp with oem gasket worked great on my si. Had plenty of track time. I know it’s much less common on the type r though so there’s less information

 

[seselectronics]

I would like to call in @seselectronics -
he's done a many build, and has experience I would at least consider.

personally, I went JE - as if you shop, you can find it $100 cheaper than the "top" companies, and since JE is drop-shipped, you're paying nearly $100 extra for a company to process your payment.

I would call 4 piston if you have a build motor and see if they can recommends you a head gasket for your build . I use oem head gasket for stock block and head . Is very important verify the head and block for any imperfections, and proper surface .

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