I just installed new heads and head gaskets on my 2006 4.3 Mercruiser but there is water leaking into my oil and seeping from the edges. The heads are new and were checked by a local machine shop so I don't think they're warped. I torqued them in sequence and a little at a time exactly as the manual said. I suspect the problem is that I had used permatex aviation gasket sealer on the head gaskets. The manual called for perfect seal but I don't have access to that. The manual also said not to use sealer if they were graphite gaskets but they were not (as far as I could tell). I believe they were composite gaskets. They were covered in a white coating of some sort, almost sticky. I kinda thought they wouldn't need sealer. Do you think I should try to retorque the heads or should I take it back apart and install new gaskets with or without sealer?
The motor had frozen with water in it and broke the heads and exhaust manifolds. Winterizing isn't usually necessary where I live but we had a cold snap last winter that caught me unprepared. I've looked the block over and don't see any cracks. After I put the heads on, it started up and sounded great except for the leaks. Thanks for your help.
The motor had frozen with water in it and broke the heads and exhaust manifolds. Winterizing isn't usually necessary where I live but we had a cold snap last winter that caught me unprepared. I've looked the block over and don't see any cracks. After I put the heads on, it started up and sounded great except for the leaks. Thanks for your help.
