compressor head gasket

[scarecrow]

compressor blew one of its head gaskets to day
the bolts holding on the head were a bit loose so I am presuming that is the cause im just wondering if I can buy a sheet of head gasket and cut it out myself then if there is such a thing where might i find it

 

[rtbcomp]

I've done that in the past. Google "Gasket Material" or Klingerite.

The professionals tap through the gasket material around the item they want the gasket for with a ball-pein hammer, but scissors work just as well.

 

[madkayaker]

we use the ball of the hammer to make gasgets works a treat

 

[scarecrow]

thanks rtbcomp some thing like this

 

[rtbcomp]

That's the sort of stuff, just make sure it's OK for what you want.

You can also get gasket punches for stud holes &c that are too small to tap out with a hammer.

 

[gavuk]

You can also get gasket punches for stud holes &c that are too small to tap out with a hammer.

or use a large ball bearing

 

[scarecrow]

ill give my motor-factors a call in the morning they might have gasket and punches

 

[eil]

Wad punch is what we used to call them.

 

[graffian]

Google gasket makers and see if you have any near you, they scrap huge amounts of material. I have a few near me and I have picked big enough pieces to make rocker cover gaskets out of their scrap.
I can probably find you a bit of Klinger 4400 or Econosto that might do. Give me overall dimensions and I will have a look. You often see scraps of it for sale on ebay.

 

[NeilH]

alternatively, see if you can get the correct gasket from the manufacturer.

you could go through all that effort and it could actually work out cheaper.

 

[scarecrow]

why is nothing ever simple I picked up some gasket this morning and took the head off the compressor only to find there is actually three gaskets involved
I replace the one nearest the cylinder but that didn't cure the problem

there is a thin steel gasket between the two valve plates which I think is the problem


i rang the shop that I bought it in as well and they gave me the good news that the company that supplies them when bust (protools ireland) and was taken over by another company and they don't do compressors any more there are going to contact them but they didn't think there was an hope

ps the hammer tip worked a treat I used the ball end of an Alan key to make the bolt holes and it worked a treat as well

 

[rtbcomp]

That steel gasket may be the spring for the valves, does it look like anything may have broken off?

If it's intact you may get away with some gasket compound on each side of the steel gasket.

 

[scarecrow]

there is a little piece missing between the valves the gasket is on the part that is beside the Alan key in the picture
can you buy material to make this gasket from or is there any substitute

 

[NeilH]

i dont know if im getting the wrong idea here.

but for a thin steel gasket i hve opened up a coke can before.

 

[scarecrow]

i dont know if im getting the wrong idea here.

but for a thin steel gasket i hve opened up a coke can before.

it could be coming down to that might even make it a beer can

 

[the snooper]

on some compressors the steel gasket as you call it is not a gasket but a spacer to allow the reed valves space to open that is why it has gaskets either side of the spacer the fact that there is a piece missing shouldnt make a difference if the gasket isnt the same shape and the valves either side of the divide open the same way which they should do

 

[rtbcomp]

on some compressors the steel gasket as you call it is not a gasket but a spacer to allow the reed valves space to open that is why it has gaskets either side of the spacer the fact that there is a piece missing shouldnt make a difference if the gasket isnt the same shape and the valves either side of the divide open the same way which they should do

Sometimes the spacer actually incorporates the reed valves and I was suggesting he looked to make sure a valve hadn't become detached, or if it has poppet valves the steel spacer could incorporate valve springs, again if a spring had broken off that would give problems.

 

[the snooper]

yeah ive seen the fixed ones loose are better i dont think his beer can idea will do anything really

 

[scarecrow]

the valve are loose (there on top of the plate with the gasket) just to flat bits of steel. the gasket will have to be thinner then the valve or they will be able to escape between the plates. it's that narrow strip of gasket between the valves seems to be a problem

 

[the snooper]

what is happening now is it still leaking or not compressing ?