V6 Inlet gasket issue (that old chestnut)
 

I'm in the process of replacing the inlet gaskets (manifold to heads) on my V6.
Over the years I've done this job a few times, not only on my engine but quite a few on other cars, and I don't think I've seen many that was making a coolant tight seal around the outer inlet ports.
I know its been done to death on here but the gaskets I've taken off this time have been leaking coolant to some degree. I was wondering if there have been any strides forward for a cure for this. If there has, I'd very much like to know about it.
All the gaskets I use are genuine MGR as they do last longer than the copies I have seen and I observe all the proper procedures like order of bolt tightening and torque figures. I'm thinking that a change in the material of them could be the answer? Steve

A couple of layers of silver garden gate paint on both sides of the gaskets, let dry.
Even torque, problem solved.

Ah. Water-proofing the paper?

We don't have that in the UK, is it a specific paint designed for wood or ironwork? Any significance in the 'silver'? Might it be a high zinc content paint?

Aluminium paint has a large part of aluminium flakes in suspension.

I have heard of sucessful re-uses of head gaskets when coated in aluminium paint, but have never tried that.

My last set of inlet manifold gaskets got this treatment, and have been trouble-free since then.

the problem is that the green material is permeable to water. It is totally unsuited for the application, as there is a pressure gradient from the cooling channel to the inlet at the valve. It is a design that is almost guaranteed to leak because of the high pressure on the water side and the low pressure in the inlet tract.

Surely that paint is available in the UK! Nothing special, typical garden variety, - excuse the pun!:D

Aluminium paint is available, it's just that garden gate painting is not a common thing we do here! It's sold for general painting of steel in a domestic situation.

We also have zinc-rich paint though some of it has a very limited shelf life even un-opened.

The gaskets Rimmers supplied are after-market Britpart ones. I'll make the decision whether to fit as they are or paint them later this week, probably fit as supplied so I can do my own monitoring on their performance.

Wait, let me guess, ---- drawbridges!
:D

You're thinking of the Netherlands !

Or is this a reference to shutting ourselves away in the garage (our castle / cave) and raising the drawbridge to keep the wife out?!

My house is my castle.
No castle without a moat.
No moat without a drawbridge.

See, logical!!

Here we use a garden gate. Dry country!

Will I never stop decorating.....?