I just blew my #%&$!$*#&^% head gasket @ 70k miles w/ a completely stock engine Xcept an AFX/UDP, I'm in the process of getting quotes from every1 (Nashville, TN)... here's the Q's:

1) Should I go ahead & buy the MLS Head Gasket or stay w/ a stock head gasket?

2) Any shop recommendations local 2 Nashville, TN?

3) What's a fair price?

4) I'm an unexperienced but adept & quick learner... should I think about doing it myself, what's all involved (time/process)?

5) Should I let some1 do it 4 me just in case something else is wrong that IS beyond what I can do? Point of no return?

As U can imagine, I'm Xtremely upset 2 put it mildly :'( I would appreciate any help U guys could give me...

P.S.
My level of experience w/ 420a engine(2 answer Q #4):
Replaced... timing belt, water pump, idle/tensioner pulleys, AFX/UDP, Thermostat engine housing, coolant temp sensor, coolant temp gauge (fan switch), valve cover gasket, etc.

P.P.S.
I already have the DSM Manual CD 4 reference

Thanx,
- J

The MLS headgasket is the stock headgasket. The dealer gives you a MLS gasket when you ask for a headgasket. Its like $40 just for the headgasket. I wouldnt do it my self if I were you. I got the whole upper gasket set for $98 from the dealer. I get a nice discount though. It should be around $130-$160 for you.

Hey J, I recommend going to Superior Import Performance in Murfreesboro. Ask for Bubba, he's the owner and he's a cool guy. I can get the number for you if you can't find it. I think you could probably do it yourself since you've done the timing belt. Read over your manual and see if you think you can do it.

i think someone installed your MLS incorrectly. There are 400+HP cars running that headgasket.... i can't see it going unless there is either something wrong witht he block, wrong with the head, or wrong with the install.

Dave, When U say whole upper gasket set... do U mean both the head gasket & valve cover gasket, or is there something else I'm missing?

I knew some manufacturers made their car w/ MLS head gaskets, just didn't realize Mitsu was 1 of them.

I've looked over the manual & I'm pretty confident I can do it... I'm just a bit skeptical on is it worth all the trouble? what if something else is wrong? screwing something else up by accident

I mean, how EZ is it to screw up the head or warp it? Obviously I won't accidently drop it on concrete just 2 watch it crack.

I've noticed a rather cumbersome process on tightening the bolts that hold the head down, any1 Xplain Y this is so?

On an incorrect installation, the head has never been taken off B4... it is how it came off the factory line

I realize some cars come off the line in better shape than others (not all the same) as my old '97 RS never gave me any probs (died w/ 120k miles, orig timing belt & everything)... All my engine experience comes from this 99

So (Dark1), R U saying that something Bsides the head gasket is probably wrong? If so, what's usually next 2 go, rods & valves?

I've got ever so slight amount of water coming out of my exhaust & a pretty rough idle (Would like 2 think it's a small leak in head gasket)

Hey dougie2, just found out last week that there were meets in Murf (thought the chapter in TN was dead > dead website), mayB I'll come by 2 1 if I ever get this thing fixed.

Can't find a listing 4 Superior Import Performance in Murfreesboro, found a Superior Service > 615-890-1235 (Not an ad). If U could look up the #, I'd appreciate it... I'd much rather go w/ a recommendation. What have they done B4/experience w/ 2gNT?

Thanx again :wary,
- J

>On an incorrect installation, the head has never been taken
>off B4... it is how it came off the factory line

Then you don't have the factory MLS gasket. It's a replacement part only, none of these cars came from the assembly line with it.

So if I go 2 a dealer 4 a replacement U're saying it will B MLS? That's f*cked up, wish they'd just spend the Xtra $20 in the 1st place.

- J

So (Dark1) U assumed I had the head gasket replaced B4, knowing it's a stock cheap head gasket (not MLS)... do U still think something else has 2 B wrong 4 it 2 have a leak?

- J

Stock head gaskets are known to fail. That's why the MLS was made as a replacement part - headgasket failures have been problematic on these cars since day one. The MLS will almost totally correct the problem. Like i said, i have never heard of an MLS gasket failing.

I misunderstood your original post. I was under the impression that you had an MLS gasket and it failed. I see now that you are saying that you had a stock gasket.

So, to answer your question, yes, buy the MLS. it's like $55 from the dealer.

buy the upper gasket kit instead......has all the gaskets that can be replaced at the same time as the head gasket.....comes with MLS.

When you change the head gasket you are going to need many other gaskets as well. The upper gasket kit comes with all of the askets for doing the head. It has a head gakset, valve cover gasket, exhaust manifold gasket, intake manifold gasket, egr gasket, and a couple others I cant think of right now. The part number is 05014135ad.

Hows every1? good, I'm walter, I have a 96 GS with 78k now, i threw a rod at....38k i think. Had it replaced and fixed by SataN cuz it was under warranty. At 65k a rod bearing slung loose and i had that replaced out of pocket. My head Gasket has been leaking for a while now, but apparently it's not too bad cuz SataN told me it wont have to be replaced for a while and so did a local shop here in ATL

1) Would they have replaced my Head Gasket in any of these times i had the engine fixed at satan??

Thanx Guys, Walt

Well, $600 is the best a Mitsu dealer can do... can't find any local shops that want 2 do it, still in the A's though (long list).

It worries me when I ask 1 of the "dealer certified" mechanics if the head gasket they use is MLS or just the stock steel & they say what's MLS? Not Xactly a new concept, been around since the 80s.

He said that they use an upgraded mitsu gasket compared 2 the out-of-factory, but didn't know anything else. Wound up Xplaining what MLS was. Safe 2 assume that's what the "upgrade" is... $@#$*%^#$ cheap parts.

Who thinks the trouble is worth the $500? ($600 - upper gasket kit)

I'd do it w/out question if I was rebuilding the bottom, but I can't afford the rebuild kit... let alone a turbo (graduate 4 the last time w/ masters in 2 months =).

(I'll take that # 4 Superior Import Performance if U can find it)

P.S.
I think in 20 years when my car dies (exageration ;)), I'll buy my next car & just rebuild/replace all these @#$&^*# parts 2 begin w/. Less probs in the end.

Thanx :wary,
- J

Bump

i havent had a head gasket replaced but any repair from mitsus gonna cost you around that. i think they charged me 500 for the timing belt. all them labor charges. the best thing about letting them do it is they work on that same car every day all week. so they got all the details down (hopefully). if i cant do a job myself i let them do it. its worth an extra couple hundred bucks to me.

-johnny

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