B10 V8 1999 Head Gasket

[HH42]

Hi everyone

I have read here and on other forums that the Head Gaskets on the earlier Alpina B10 V8's were made out of organic materials and are therefore prone to disintegrating and causing engine damage. I have read on other threads that any engines pre number 14500 will have the organic gaskets. My engine number is 13527 so in theory I should have the organic gasket.

Removed the plastic cover from the engine today to investigate because I am minded to replace the organic gasket with a metal one, and took some pictures of what I think are the gasket ears sticking out, and the edge of the gasket. It looks very much like a metal gasket to me. I have no record of the gasket being replaced, and my car was built in late 1999 if that makes a difference. The difference between the organic and metal gaskets can be seen here: http://www.klinika-bm.pl/feat/wadliwe-u ... na-b10-v8/

Would anyone be able to look at the attached photos I took of my gasket and tell me if they know/think I have the metal gasket installed or not. I would rather not have to take the engine apart to find out.

Thanks and apologies for the long post.

[richb10touring]

I can't help you but thought I'd post a related reply as nobody else has been able to.

I changed my HG on a 3.2 6-cyl engine. It was like the first pics in the link you sent - i.e. a fibre based gasket with metal rings around the cylinders and red lines of pre-impregnated sealant. I believe this to be a fairly 'normal' construction for a lightly stressed - i.e. not race tuned - engine. Metal gaskets, often called MLS (multi-layer steel I think) are for high power applications. I don't know but I would guess that on a 4.6 V8 probably the stock power output wouldn't be high enough to warrant MLS - but just my guess.

Whatever you have fitted, you should be OK buying/installing whatever the OEM gasket was. There should be parts diagrams/lists available on the register site itself (there are for E36 anyway). I just bought my HG from a UK eBay seller; brand was Elring and it is all OEM spec, highly regarded stuff. Also wasn't very expensive, certainly not compared to MLS.

HTH

[Frosty]

Hi there HH42,

Try this link to a thread on the gasket change experience I had with my old B8 4.6.

https://www.m5board.com/threads/using-x ... -v8.42190/

Good luck.

Paul

[BMW540]

The metal gaskets on B10 V8 have ears like the ones you have posted.

[BMW540]

Head gaskets B10 V8