Head Gasket Has 'Tiny Bubbles' (see pic) ... What & Why ?

bobgritz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
185
I am changing head gasket in my 1983 15hp Electric Start Johnson and the head gasket is covered with tiny bubbles. I'm unfamiliar with this condition ... any ideas what caused this and is it normal?

263h5wp.jpg
 

oldybutagoody

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
207
Re: Head Gasket Has 'Tiny Bubbles' (see pic) ... What & Why ?

I don't know about the gasket but the head itself looks great. No carbon at all. Did it overheat, thereby delaminating the gasket? The bubbles are only where it was in contact with the water jacket.
 

toddschubert

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
504
Re: Head Gasket Has 'Tiny Bubbles' (see pic) ... What & Why ?

Someone probably used a gasket sealer that he's expanded over time creating this condition
 

Haffiman

Commander
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
2,454
Re: Head Gasket Has 'Tiny Bubbles' (see pic) ... What & Why ?

It is nothing to worry about. Probably caused by the sealing part of the gasket surface 'delaminating' from the inside steel mesh. As no pressure keeping it together like in the sealing area, this will happen. The steel mesh will expand and contract with temp changes, the 'plastic' will not
 
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