Kenny wants to know...

[MitsubishiGirl]

He wanted me to ask you all if anyone has every used head gaskets from AutoZone/Advance and if anyone has ever had any problems with them?
He has went threw about 8 head gaskets (since trying to figure out what is wrong with his car). Not because he keeps blowing them, but because he keeps tearing it apart to try to fix it.
Then Sam was reading a book about turbo's etc. and it was commenting on the difference in head gaskets. It said head gaskets to be used for performance engines should be a copper wire ring gasket. It says that it will not brinell aluminum heads and offers superior heat dissipation from combustion hot spots on the head. It says the pre-flattened steel wire ring seals with minimum brinelling of aluminum heads.
Could this be the reason for him still having this problem? Are the dealership gaskets the copper one's he needs?
What the car actually does is...it builds up water compression in the system and starts to overheat. This happens with the thermostat in or out.
Ken, I might still want to get that steel gasket from you if you still have it and if everyone here thinks that would be a better idea than a dealer gasket. (remember, he had his head shaved and we do have the shim for a regular gasket)
Thanks

[Iwishiwascool]

The 4 layer ended up going in the auto and is there now.

I have no thermostat and it takes a good hour to reach operating temp, also I believe the ECU pulls timing to get the engine up to operating temp, which would contribute to the absolute slowness of my car right now.

thats neither here nor there.

Is the radiator clogged, is the sensor fuxored, is the thermostat staying closed?

[BlackEclipse]

Here's a pic of a Mitsubishi head gasket on the following webpage:

click here (http://www.columbusdsm.com/resources/knowledge_base/kb_00031_2G_Complete_Gasket_Kit.htm)


I think there is a metal ring around where the cylinders are. I had my head off of my Jetta a few months ago and I don't remember the Jetta HG having that "ring" on the gasket. I also put 3 coats of copper spray on the Jetta HG and that damned thing no longer seeps out oil now. ;)

[MitsubishiGirl]

Ok, there's been 40 views and noone has posted whether or not they've ever used a Auto Zone/Advance gasket and ever had any problems...that is what he was really wanting to know. He's already going to try either the dealer original gasket or the 4 layer...but he really wanted to know if anyone else has this problem using these cheaper gaskets. Just trying to narrow done if this could be the problem with the build up pressure thingy

[EvolvedDSM]

I have never used an Auto Zone/Advanced headgasket.

[KentStateTsi]

i am going to put the head back on with the advance/autozone gasket....i work there so it only cost me about $29.....its a felpro and if they are good for V-8's i'm gonna try it.....i cant believe i said that wtf ...it has copper rings around the cylinder holes.......we'll see, i sent the metal one back cause i think i'm done with this car and its motorcycle time...i'll be just fine with 15-17psi......all ARP bolts and studs when she's back together......maybe i'll have Ken Maynard do some head work......the biggest problem may be my #1 piston....there is a little material missing from the edge..i'm afraid the rings are gone as well....who knows.....FELPRO..here we go

[MitsubishiGirl]

Let me know how it works for you when you get that FelPro on...

[biglipps66]

The worse thing you could do is a blow the head gasket again, its worth a shot.