TM 5-3805-281-24-2
Cylinder Head and Valves
HEAD GASKET INSPECTION AND REPAIR SEQUENCE
Inspecting Cylinder Head Gasket
A--Combustion Seals
B--Gasket Body
D--Elastomer Beading
E--Front of Engine
(Flange)
C--Rocker Arm Oil Port
Strips
Adjacent body area burned/eroded.
The following inspection procedures are recommended
Fire ring severed/displaced/missing.
whenever a head gasket joint failure occurs, or when
Flange sealing pattern eccentric/contains voids.
joint disassembly takes place.
Discoloration of flange and adjacent body areas.
Flange surfaces rough/abraided/channelled.
1. Review historical data relating to machine
operation, maintenance and repair, along with
Examine gasket body (B) for the following:
diagnostic observations. Note all areas requiring
further inspection and analysis.
Combustion gas erosion paths or soot deposits
originating at combustion seals.
2. Remove rocker arm cover and check for presence
Extreme discoloration/hardening/embrittlement in
of coolant in the oil.
localized areas.
O-ring seal missing/damaged in port area (C).
3. Record head cap screw torques prior to removal.
Elastomer missing/damaged in port area (D).
Upon removal, check cap screw length differences.
Oil or coolant paths from port areas.
Localized areas of low compression.
4. Remove cylinder head using appropriate lifting
devices to prevent handling damage to head
6. Before cleaning components, inspect head, block,
gasket. (See REMOVE CYLINDER HEAD in
and liners for evidence of combustion gas and fluid
Group 05.)
leakage. Inspect cylinders and valve ports for
unusual deposits.
5. Observe surfaces of removed head gasket.
7. Clean block, head, liners, and cap screws. (See
Examine combustion seals (A) for the following:
Groups 05 and 10.)
Flange severed/expanded/cracked/deformed.
Continued on next page
RG,RG34710,1074
1923OCT971/2
