1.9TD Cylinder Head- SKIM OR NOT

jcdel · Post by **jcdel** » 13 Aug 2008, 17:58

Gasket has blown and I am not sure if to skim.Slight deviation between 2 and 3 but not major.Current gasket is a 2 notch but I am informed that aftermarket is 3 notch.Many Thanks for all replies

Post by **CitroJim** » 13 Aug 2008, 18:01

Without a shadow of a doubt skim and have the head pressure tested at the same time. It's a must if only just to clean up the gasket area.

I'd have a light skim even if the head came off for reasons other than a blow personally.

How much is the slight deviation between 2 and 3?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 13 Aug 2008, 19:15

i would have it presure tested before the skim, this way it dont cost the skim as well if its scrap, if you have to have uch of the head face you will need to have the valves sunk into the pescribed depth, otherwise they will contact the pistions, as there aint much gap in the first place
regards malcolm

Post by **Peter.N.** » 13 Aug 2008, 21:41

I would agree with citronut and citronjim. There is a lot of work involved in changing a gasket and you dont want to have to do it again.. The Citroen laminated steel 'repair' gaskets for the 2.1 engine only come in one thickness, I dont know if the same applies to the 1.9 but they are thick enough to cover all eventualities and look as though they should last forever. I fitted one to my XM about 60k miles ago and have hardly ever topped it up since.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 13 Aug 2008, 22:22

You can get any of six thicknesses for your engine. The choices are 3+1 to 3+5 being the thickest, then there's one thicker 3+1+1 referred to as a "repair" gasket.

The repair seems to be the one to go for if you're having the head skimmed.

jcdel · Post by **jcdel** » 14 Aug 2008, 07:41

Thanks to you all.Reference the "deviation",it probably is a bit more than slight so on forum advice it goes in to the engineers.Is this some form of judgement as a result of giving it to my son after many years of good service.The HDi is very tasty though.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Aug 2008, 08:05

may be he had not noticed the rad fans not running, as this will knock out the head gasket if unchecked, like my old BX 1.9 D, she gave me very good service for quite a few years, then i re/ moted her to give to my daghter, she drove her for a couple of weeks and knocked the head gasket out, as she did not know to listen for the rad fan, well she was a lomg standding DERSH driver before hand

regards malcolm

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 14 Aug 2008, 22:03

I can personally recommend these guys.. excellent service and they will also supply the correct thickness gasket, head bolts etc. They are experts in cylinder head repairs (ever had a rover 623?) and it was a real eye opener to watch the work being done.

http://motorcast.com/

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 14 Aug 2008, 22:27

When you get the head skimmed on an XUD9 (1.9D and 1.9TD) you do not change the gasket thickness.

The gasket thickness is matched to piston protrusion from the block, since the heads are flat both before and after skimming and the skimming doesn't change your piston protrusion you don't change gasket types.

If you change gasket types you're going to reduce your compression ratio which means poorer cold starting and poorer fuel economy.

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 15 Aug 2008, 07:34

Quite right! However, I believe that the manufacturer of the engines applies this principal to new engines i.e. piston protrusion determines the gasket thickness and this can vary from engine to engine. So it is important that the old gasket thickness is determined so that when you get your old head skimmed/tested the correct gasket is supplied..

lolingram · Post by **lolingram** » 15 Aug 2008, 08:23

The gasket thickness is matched to piston protrusion from the block, since the heads are flat both before and after skimming and the skimming doesn't change your piston protrusion you don't change gasket types.

BUT is does bring the valves nearer...

Post by **CitroJim** » 15 Aug 2008, 08:40

lolingram wrote: BUT is does bring the valves nearer...

Indeed it does, hence the good idea to use a thicker gasket...

lolingram · Post by **lolingram** » 15 Aug 2008, 09:32

Indeed it does, hence the good idea to use a thicker gasket...
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