Hi everyone, I’m in the process of a head gasket replacement. I wanted to ask what’s the best way to prepare the deck for the new head gasket?
Just to add I did use a machinist ruler the see if the block deck is wrapped, but the out of the two i ordered one was too long to fit in the engine bay so I used the small one. I’m waiting for another one to come in but for the most part i checked in horizontally and vertically( its 12-13 inches), I couldn’t fit.004 under it.
So I think my deck is ok.
Thanks !
Clean both the deck and the head. BMW has a special sanding block. You can use a brillo pad or other abrasive pad to clean it. Just nothing that will gouge or damage the surface. Sometimes a razor blade works well too.
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ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
Where can I find the sanding block, the old gasket wasn’t scorched on the deck.
There’s slight residue but not much.
It'd be a special order from a dealership. Which would require the part number. I don't have access to it at the moment. Try using a scotch Brite scuff pad
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ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
The scotch pad has aluiminiun oxide, is there an alternative that doesn’t have Aluminium oxide?
I just got my cylinder head from the machine shop, they took off .006 in. Can I used a stock head-gasket?
Yes. I've never used anything but a stock head gasket.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
So I don’t need to get a thicker gasket then, right ?
Your question was answered by a top-flight BMW tech.
Please note it is very important to keep debris out of the cooling jackets and oil passages, or make sure you flush them.
I thought the way I asked my question was vague.
So that’s why I wanted to reiterate it in the form of a new question.
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I have the blue clothes in the oil passages, and bought a plastic razor to scrape off the old gasket.
But there is still some confusion on my part on how to clean the deck so it can mate with the mls gasket, I’ve read on other forums that scotch bite shouldn’t be used whilst others say using a high grit silicon carbide paper should work.
I did see a scratch between the cylinders tomorrow I will look in detail to see if it can be buffed out.
How would I go about flushing the oil passages ?
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