STD Tuning Engine Head gasket options for high boost OM603

Head gasket options for high boost OM603

Head gasket options for high boost OM603

 
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
 
TwoMuchBoost
K26-2

25
02-23-2020, 05:26 PM #1
Anyone have any advice on best quality head gasket? Been using Victor Reinz composite gasket but have heard that the Elring brand (only available through Mercedes now) is better quality. I don't have any real proof but I see the M104 turbo-bandit followers laying down 1k RWP on Elring stock gasket. BUT... that's high RPM, less torque, and less cylinder pressure no doubt... 

Really having trouble keeping head gaskets intact on my OM603 with the current boost level of 40psi (2.75bar). I'm thinking maybe the combination of 2.75bar and water/meth injection is just too much cylinder pressure for a composite gasket. I have already have tried the following...

Brand new VR head gasket plus the *updated* head bolts that are supposedly stronger. This drove great for a quite a long time at around 30-32lbs of boost then one day the head gasket just let go while cruising; gasket blown out between cyl 5-6. All the coolant went out the tailpipe and a slight overheat. I assumed the 603 was toast and sourced a crazy high-mileage OM606 to swap in potentially. After tearing the head off for a second time and finding it both crack-free and flat, I decided to go all out one last time and see what the 603 was really capable of.


- added a custom set of ARP head studs
- added stainless O-rings to the block for extra clamp on the fire-ring part of the cyl. head gasket.
- yet another fresh Victor Reinz gasket
- bigger exhaust to lower drive-pressure (this netted me another 8lbs of boost taking me to 38 without touching fuel at all and plummeted EGT's by like 200*F.
- added just a touch of fuel since EGT's dropped so much and this bumped me up to 40lbs on the top end

Lately I've noticed cold coolant pressure again and idle smoke in combination with really hard starts... pulled into the garage today and heard a hissing that sounded like an exhaust leak-pre turbo but when I listened around with a stethoscope, I head it directly at the back of the head. Looking with a flashlight I can see little tiny bubbles between the head and block on cyl #6. At least this time with the head studs it's not a total failure of the gasket but it's on its way out; that much is for sure.

I know the the *sound* advice is "Turn it down dumbass..." but I don't roll like that. My profile name speaks for itself and the only way is UP.  Big Grin  What's my options for keeping the boost inside this god damn 603? I'm all ears!
TwoMuchBoost
02-23-2020, 05:26 PM #1

Anyone have any advice on best quality head gasket? Been using Victor Reinz composite gasket but have heard that the Elring brand (only available through Mercedes now) is better quality. I don't have any real proof but I see the M104 turbo-bandit followers laying down 1k RWP on Elring stock gasket. BUT... that's high RPM, less torque, and less cylinder pressure no doubt... 

Really having trouble keeping head gaskets intact on my OM603 with the current boost level of 40psi (2.75bar). I'm thinking maybe the combination of 2.75bar and water/meth injection is just too much cylinder pressure for a composite gasket. I have already have tried the following...

Brand new VR head gasket plus the *updated* head bolts that are supposedly stronger. This drove great for a quite a long time at around 30-32lbs of boost then one day the head gasket just let go while cruising; gasket blown out between cyl 5-6. All the coolant went out the tailpipe and a slight overheat. I assumed the 603 was toast and sourced a crazy high-mileage OM606 to swap in potentially. After tearing the head off for a second time and finding it both crack-free and flat, I decided to go all out one last time and see what the 603 was really capable of.


- added a custom set of ARP head studs
- added stainless O-rings to the block for extra clamp on the fire-ring part of the cyl. head gasket.
- yet another fresh Victor Reinz gasket
- bigger exhaust to lower drive-pressure (this netted me another 8lbs of boost taking me to 38 without touching fuel at all and plummeted EGT's by like 200*F.
- added just a touch of fuel since EGT's dropped so much and this bumped me up to 40lbs on the top end

Lately I've noticed cold coolant pressure again and idle smoke in combination with really hard starts... pulled into the garage today and heard a hissing that sounded like an exhaust leak-pre turbo but when I listened around with a stethoscope, I head it directly at the back of the head. Looking with a flashlight I can see little tiny bubbles between the head and block on cyl #6. At least this time with the head studs it's not a total failure of the gasket but it's on its way out; that much is for sure.

I know the the *sound* advice is "Turn it down dumbass..." but I don't roll like that. My profile name speaks for itself and the only way is UP.  Big Grin  What's my options for keeping the boost inside this god damn 603? I'm all ears!

 
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average

Messages In This Thread
Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 02-23-2020, 05:26 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 02-23-2020, 05:35 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by NZScott - 02-24-2020, 02:37 AM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by baldur - 02-24-2020, 06:10 AM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 02-24-2020, 09:10 AM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by zeeman - 02-24-2020, 01:00 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by baldur - 02-24-2020, 02:23 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by Vict0r - 02-28-2020, 10:28 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 02-29-2020, 06:09 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 02-29-2020, 05:35 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by Vict0r - 03-01-2020, 11:31 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by baldur - 03-02-2020, 09:08 AM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by Vict0r - 03-02-2020, 12:20 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by baldur - 03-02-2020, 01:35 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 03-02-2020, 01:51 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by Vict0r - 03-02-2020, 10:19 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 03-03-2020, 12:20 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by AlanMcR - 03-03-2020, 11:53 PM
RE: Head gasket options for high boost OM603 - by TwoMuchBoost - 03-09-2020, 10:24 AM
Users browsing this thread:
 1 Guest(s)
Users browsing this thread:
 1 Guest(s)