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The problem with reusing a "diesel" engine head gasket is the compression of the "flame ring" or compression ring . It has nothing to do with a heat cycle but the compression of this ring. Just like the "crush sleave" in a Chevy differential, once it is crushed it cannot be recrushed . If you retorque it to a higher torque like others have mentioned though, you should be OK. Also I would definitely use the "copper spray" since most new gaskets come with a sealing coating on them which comes off when the gasket is removed. The copper spray would restore this coating.
no shop diesel or not would reuse a head gasket but they are there to make money not save it.
Yes Diesel shops are there to make money, but reusing a head gasket that has already been torqued down is just begging for a "comeback" and that lost money comes out of the shop and ultimately the mechanics pockets. No company is willing to roll those dice for the small cost of a new gasket. Also since most shops make the mechanic who did the work repair it for free and the average head gasket job is over 8 hours, that is a lot of money coming out of that mechanics pocket !
Believe me I understand the shop dynamic as I have been employed by dealerships for basically my whole working career. We will see what happens with the (reused) gasket as the op said he is not replacing it. I believe he will be fine but time will tell. If it was mine I would have reused it but I don’t think I would have increased the torque on the head bolts because higher torque does not always equal more clamping force unless the hardware is upgraded. As a matter of fact in most cases exceeding manufacturer torque spec will reduce clamping force due to hardware fatigue.
Your a working mechanic then ? What dealerships have you worked at ?
started at a Toyota dealership then worked for ford for a few years but spent most of my time with mazda but now I am on the parts side at a Mack/Volvo dealer. They asked me to work in the shop but they are paying me well enough to sell parts that there is no incentive to get my hands dirty.
Same here Woodbridge Chrysler Plymouth. Best thing was girlfriend father owned the dealership so the girlfriend got a new loner every month. So yea got to drive all the 70's different Mopar muscle cars. So me glad I started with cars.
Hey tell me, does Mazda still make a "Rotary" engine car ? I always wanted to buy one. I thought that was one of the most unique engines made in the twentieth century.
No they can’t get it to meet modern emission standards. They are unique and I wouldn’t mind owning one to tinker with but they are not fun as a customer car. By the 100k mile warranty most of them have gotten 2 engines replaced and the job sucks as a flat rate technician. They don’t pay well under warranty and you end up hating them for that. The reason they fail is due to carbon buildup on the side seals. When the engine warms up the metal grows and the side seals stick causing the engine to drop compression and stall out. There are also many other little problems like starting issues due to fuel flooding and ignition issues. But if you can put all of its issues aside they are absolutely a blast to drive and it is unlike any other engine in how you treat it. The rotary needs to be run out and driven hard. We tried to explain to the customers that driving them hard and running the rpm’s all the way out is how you can reduce carbon buildup and make the engine last longer.
So basically "drive it like you stole it ! " kind of thing.
