Copper spray on head gasket? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Colorado220 · #1 02-24-2011, 02:42 AM

Has anyone ever done this? I have never used the copper spray on a head gasket install and I am about to redo the head on my 300E 2.6 and I want to make sure all goes well. Thoughts?

Stretch · #2 02-24-2011, 03:17 AM

I wouldn't do it. I understand that the point of a head gasket is that is provides a good seal - not that it is easy to remove when you come to do the job again.

layback40 · #3 02-24-2011, 03:50 AM

X2 Army.
It sounds like an other form of snake oil to me!!
I have heard of people using copperkote anti seize on some old head gaskets in 50 year old stationary low speed motors. Maybe you could use a snake skin & cut out the gasket shape!!

Wasnt there a TV series decades ago called green acres that made one out of some pastry? (I'm being silly now!!)
Best get a nice new proper head gasket & clean both head & block.

Colorado220 · #4 02-24-2011, 03:55 AM

That's what I thought. I have only done 3 engine rebuilds and never once used it. That's why I was confused.

Stretch · #5 02-24-2011, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

X2 Army.
It sounds like an other form of snake oil to me!!
I have heard of people using copperkote anti seize on some old head gaskets in 50 year old stationary low speed motors. Maybe you could use a snake skin & cut out the gasket shape!!

Wasnt there a TV series decades ago called green acres that made one out of some pastry? (I'm being silly now!!)
Best get a nice new proper head gasket & clean both head & block.

I don't remember that one - but I did once see a program of an amazing African bushman repairing the axle of his Series 2A Land Rover with the root of particular tree... after walking for a day to find the tree - dug it up - then he went back fixed it and drove the gazillion miles home without really taking it easy...

...perhaps he's got some snake solutions up his sleeve...

Stretch · #6 02-24-2011, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado220

That's what I thought. I have only done 3 engine rebuilds and never once used it. That's why I was confused.

Sounds like a plan - good luck with the rebuild.

mbdoc · #7 02-24-2011, 08:17 AM

Don't use anything on that type gasket.

MB head gaskets for that engine have embedded epoxy & during the heating/cooling cycles it will seal "pores" in the head/block surfaces.

When you first re-start the engine, do NOT install the radiator cap until the engine gets hot & then cools down.

Mike D · #8 02-24-2011, 08:57 AM

The copper spray is for old timey stamped steel gaskets which were used on old porous cast blocks. Haven't seen a stamped steel gasket in 25+ years. I used it often on old 4 cylinder Perkins/Dorsett/Dagenheim diesel engines of the 1960's- 1970's era.

Absolutely useless on the newer multi-component gaskets we have now and in fact it's probably worse than useless as any excess could conceivably end up in the lubrication system.

Stretch · #9 02-24-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbdoc

Don't use anything on that type gasket.

MB head gaskets for that engine have embedded epoxy & during the heating/cooling cycles it will seal "pores" in the head/block surfaces.

When you first re-start the engine, do NOT install the radiator cap until the engine gets hot & then cools down.

That's an interesting tip. I haven't read that in the FSM (yet?). Is this to help the epoxy in the gasket do its job? => Like don't over cook it the first time?

porkface · #10 02-24-2011, 10:14 AM

to jump in-it's not a temp thing, it's pressure. the epoxy needs the heat to melt and the pressure can blow it out before it has a chance to set. once it cools, then the cap can be used. good luck, chuck.