Re-use a head gasket?

[Scootertrash]

Full Disclosure: This is for a four wheeler, but I told my nephew I'd try to get him an answer ASAP. Please forgive me for my transgressions of posting a quad question in Trikesylvania, but I wanted the traffic here to get an answer. Thank You!

The reason I'm asking here is because while I have worked on these machines before, I've never been in this situation.


Here's the scoop: My nephew and a buddy are working on a 01 Sportsman 500 and had to replace the head gasket. In their hurry to get this job done, they had the front cam chain guide improperly installed. The head had to be removed to properly place the cam chain guide and he is wondering if they can re-use the head gasket.

The particulars:
The head gasket is a multi-layer steel gasket
The motor was never run so it never got hot.

The torqueing process for this particular gasket is unique to say the least:
tighten to 22 ft lbs
tighten to 51 ft lbs
loosen 1/2 turn
loosen 1/2 turn (by this time the head is basically loose again :P)
torque to 11 ft lbs
tighten 1/4 turn
tighten 1/4 turn
I actually add another step here and make sure they are torqued evenly, which is 45 ft lbs

Soooo, since the head is basically loose before you retorque it again, I'm thinking it may not be a big deal to re-use the gasket (and add maybe 5 ft lbs more of torque) since the gasket has never been "set" by being heated to operating temp.

[shortline10]

As long as it was never heated up or ran ? Use it .

[Scootertrash]

As long as it was never heated up or ran ? Use it .

Thanks for the quick reply shortline.

Do you think they should add a little more torque or just go with the original 45 ft lbs I use?

[fabiodriven]

I bet they'd be OK to re-use it. I think it's a bad idea to exceed the manufacturers torque specs though.

[hoosierlogger]

I would throw it out. Would you re use a condom and trust it?

[dustrunner]

ya, for what they cost i would buy a new 1 also. who would wannt hafta change it again ? not me...

[three_wheelin45]

as long as it wasnt ran, it should be fine!

[4x4van]

I would never re-use a head gasket. Metal head gaskets are "squished" under the torque to seal. Once "squished", they don't expand in order to be "re-squished" a second time. You may not have a problem with it, but I wouldn't bet on it. For the minor cost of a new gasket, it doesn't seem worth it to me.

[hillbilly 200x]

do you really want to have to take it apart again if it doesn't hold? I have done this a few times we all do as we learn and grow. take it from some one that has done it before get a new gasket.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Yes, but aren't certain metallic head gaskets designed to be re-used so long as they aren't damaged during disassembly?? The copper ones maybe??

Or am I confusing that with something else?

[travi]

copper gaskets can be reused so long as you anneal it first .

[TecateDan]

how much of a pain will it be to change it again if it blows

[atc007]

If there is any doubt it won't seal. Spray paint it,,let the paint tack up,install. I will guarantee that gasket as long as those rings will last.

[Scootertrash]

Well, I've been wrenching for a loooong time, and to be honest, I myself would not have reused the gasket unless I was in a test mode just to see if it would work and only if it was on one of my machines so I could keep a close eye on it. I never, ever reuse gaskets.

I ran over and checked out the gasket and it still looked brand new as if it had never been installed. The only two reasons I even considered reusing the gasket was because the engine had never been run, so the gasket had never been heated to operating temperature, and the torqueing process for the gasket (see the OP) I did inform the guys that I would wait till Monday and get a new gasket, but you all know how 20 somethings have all the answers. I know I did when I was their age.

So bottom line they will learn something no matter what the outcome. I'm interested to see if it will work myself. At least I don't have to replace it if it doesn't work out.

[Chazz of Blades]

That's why I always buy copper head gaskets when I can, and keep a few cans of copper flake spray paint in stock.