H6 headgasket failure causes & preventions.

[Out6ack]

Seems to be a bit of an achilles heel with the 3.o engines with a few k's on the odo.
Can anyone enlighten to the causes of headgasket failure & subsequent preventions?
Is it an engineering/design fault specific to the EZ30?
Cooling system not up to the task?
The quality of the gaskets themselves?
Or just the way we like to drive them??!!

[PUDZ RSC3.0RB]

If theres no HG issue so far a Kido Tune is a great preventative measure. Thermo fans come on at a lower coolant temp than the stock tune.

[Out6ack]

So it's more just about keeping coolant temps lower eh? Regular coolant system flush etc.
Would an aftermarket oil cooler be of much benefit too? Enough to warrant the expense?

[PUDZ RSC3.0RB]

From what I know the problems all stem from the crappy factory tune and not maintaining an efficient cooling system.

With an excellent ecu tune and a well maintained cooling system the stock H6 set-up can easily cope with 400bhp at the flywheel.

[Tradewind]

I personally think its a great cooling system

The factory tune is definitely detrimental to HG gasket life

There must be a slight engineering issue with clamping pressure, expansion ratios of the metal at various points of the cyl heads, gasket insufficiency etc

But, all said and done the retuning is a great preventative in that pinging is significantly reduced

[Tradewind]

At least our H6s dont have THIS kind of issue


Porsche's heroic road racer, the 911 GT3 - 2013/2014

Reports have indicated the two cars that were involved caught fire after the engine block cracked and leaked oil onto the hot exhaust system, but Porsche is not willing to comment on any specifics.