2.2dci headgasket

[ross]

I have just had to take the engine out of my 2.2dci Espace because there was water in the oil.
I have just taken the cylinder head off and looked at the head gasket, and wondered if it could have been put on upside-down.
Does anyone know how to tell which way up the gasket should be ?
Many thanks for any help.
Ross

[BrianM]

It is normally printed on the gasket

[colin4255]

Also, do not use the head bolts you have taken out again. They stretch on first use and first tightening. You are going to need a new complete set of head bolts before you re-tighten the head down or it will just start leaking again.

[ross]

Hi All,

Just an adendum to my initial tale of woe with regards to the Head gasket on my newly restored 2.2Dci engine.
The Gasket I purchased from a factor did not have any markings to indicate which way was "TOP" and as the bolt holes are symetrical it is fairly easy to get it wrong.
On careful inspection it is only the front water jacket holes that determines the handing of the gasket, and I found that there is a tab on one corner of the gasket and this tab need to be at the left rear of the cylinder head, above the water pump.
Hope this is of help to someone.
Regards
Ross