KV6 lower inlet manifold gaskets.

Typhoon190 · 21st February 2016, 19:50

Are there any 'upgraded' alternatives available. I've not managed to cure an on going water leak into the engine for a long while now, despite having changed these 3 times now. I've used to torque settings in the haynes manual to tighten the lower manifolds to the head, and cleaned surfaces thoroughly. Any hints, tips or suggestions gratefully received . . . . apart from K-seal.

kaiser · 22nd February 2016, 00:13

Same.
Going to make new seals out of silicone sheet and try.
Like wife's baking mats.

SD1too · 22nd February 2016, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

I've not managed to cure an on going water leak into the engine ... despite having changed these 3 times now.

I'm curious to know more about this Ben.
Are you seeing evidence of gasket failure in the same place each time?
Have you been using genuine gaskets from X-Part?
Is just one bank affected?

Simon

Salad-Dodger · 22nd February 2016, 18:20

Forget the K Seal.....Just don't go there. Steve

Typhoon190 · 22nd February 2016, 21:36

Haven't yet removed them this time. I added blue hylomer around the outer cylinder ports. Both banks, from the outer water ports into the outer cylinders. I've let the coolant drop too low again, and blown another thermostat.

kaiser · 23rd February 2016, 05:46

The gaskets are unsuitable for the job. The problem is the water seeps into the paper and is sucked by the vacuum into the outer inlets each side.

I have had that a couple of times now, and I am getting tired of it.

The only solution is to have a gasket that is water proof. The original gaskets rely on a bead of silicone, which seals only the surface. The paper is porous, and that is the problem. A baking sheet made entirely out of silicone is going to be my next gasket.

Dropping the coolant too low should not cause a problem with the thermostat, rather the contrary~!

The original thermostat set-up is unfit for purpose too, but that is another story.

RogerHeinz57 · 23rd February 2016, 08:03

Interesting subject, a member on here had a chronic air leak from a broken front inlet manifold fixing, The manifold was removed to find a number of issues. The first was the broken bolt which was obviously overtightened in an attempt to cure the air leak, second issue was the wrong gasket was fitted in the first place, which weakened the seal it was there to provide. Some of the gaskets will allow leakage, and I would advise strongly they get fully checked before fitting so that they match up perfectly !
Good luck with your repairs guys.

kaiser · 23rd February 2016, 08:29

In case you are talking about the 1.8!

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

Interesting subject, a member on here had a chronic air leak from a broken front inlet manifold fixing, The manifold was removed to find a number of issues. The first was the broken bolt which was obviously overtightened in an attempt to cure the air leak, second issue was the wrong gasket was fitted in the first place, which weakened the seal it was there to provide. Some of the gaskets will allow leakage, and I would advise strongly they get fully checked before fitting so that they match up perfectly !
Good luck with your repairs guys.

This is not the 1.8T. These are aluminium castings bolting on to the head. It is purely a sealing problem, badly executed by the factory.
The inlet problems on the 1.8 is a sealing problem on top of an unsuitable material used on too flimsy a manifold, so totally unrelated except in terms of ineptness.

Which in both cases is admirable!

SD1too · 23rd February 2016, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

Both banks, from the outer water ports into the outer cylinders.

This is odd Ben because I've never had problem with the inlet manifold gaskets and I'm not alone amongst KV6 owners. Have you been using genuine X-Part gaskets bought from a dealer's parts department (I don't mean e-bay)?

Quote:

I've let the coolant drop too low again, and blown another thermostat.

What do you mean by "blown" the thermostat? Is your engine running hotter than 100°C? I think your situation needs abit of careful investigation.

Simon

RogerHeinz57 · 23rd February 2016, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser

In case you are talking about the 1.8!

This is not the 1.8T. These are aluminium castings bolting on to the head. It is purely a sealing problem, badly executed by the factory.
The inlet problems on the 1.8 is a sealing problem on top of an unsuitable material used on too flimsy a manifold, so totally unrelated except in terms of ineptness.

Which in both cases is admirable!

Who mentioned a 1.8 T ?
Inlet manifolds on these are stud and nut, so not sure where this one has come from, and your right it is totally unrelated in terms of ineptness !
The post relates to a 2.5 V6 (190)

21st February 2016, 19:50	#1
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,706 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	KV6 lower inlet manifold gaskets. Are there any 'upgraded' alternatives available. I've not managed to cure an on going water leak into the engine for a long while now, despite having changed these 3 times now. I've used to torque settings in the haynes manual to tighten the lower manifolds to the head, and cleaned surfaces thoroughly. Any hints, tips or suggestions gratefully received . . . . apart from K-seal.

22nd February 2016, 00:13	#2
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	Same. Going to make new seals out of silicone sheet and try. Like wife's baking mats. __________________ Worth his V8 in gold

23rd February 2016, 05:46	#6
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	The gaskets are unsuitable for the job. The problem is the water seeps into the paper and is sucked by the vacuum into the outer inlets each side. I have had that a couple of times now, and I am getting tired of it. The only solution is to have a gasket that is water proof. The original gaskets rely on a bead of silicone, which seals only the surface. The paper is porous, and that is the problem. A baking sheet made entirely out of silicone is going to be my next gasket. Dropping the coolant too low should not cause a problem with the thermostat, rather the contrary~! The original thermostat set-up is unfit for purpose too, but that is another story. __________________ Worth his V8 in gold

22nd February 2016, 18:20	#4
Salad-Dodger Gets stuck in MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chatham Posts: 592 Thanks: 34 Thanked 66 Times in 62 Posts	Forget the K Seal.....Just don't go there. Steve

22nd February 2016, 21:36	#5
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,706 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	Haven't yet removed them this time. I added blue hylomer around the outer cylinder ports. Both banks, from the outer water ports into the outer cylinders. I've let the coolant drop too low again, and blown another thermostat.

23rd February 2016, 08:03	#7
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	Interesting subject, a member on here had a chronic air leak from a broken front inlet manifold fixing, The manifold was removed to find a number of issues. The first was the broken bolt which was obviously overtightened in an attempt to cure the air leak, second issue was the wrong gasket was fitted in the first place, which weakened the seal it was there to provide. Some of the gaskets will allow leakage, and I would advise strongly they get fully checked before fitting so that they match up perfectly ! Good luck with your repairs guys.