Reinforced MLS head gasket VAG 1.8/2.0 8V/16V 9A ABA ABF DX GX HT JH KR PF PG PL RD RV

Here we offer several reinforced head gaskets for VAG 1.8/2.0 8V/16V engines from ATHENA and COMETIC, with the full technical specification below.

Fitment: 1.8 8V engines DX, GX, HT, JH, PF, PG, RD, RV, 1.8 16V engines KR, PL, 2.0 8V engine ABA and 2.0 16V engines 9A, ABF.

Below you will find the head studs and head bolts for VW 1.8/2.0 8V/16V engines (click on the image):

VW 1.8/2.0 8V	VW 1.8/2.0 16V

Technical specification of the OEM gasket

• Engine bore: 83mm
• Compressed thickness: 1.80mm

Technical specification

• Engine bore: up to 83 or 83.8mm
• Compressed thickness options: 1.40mm
• Gasket type: MLS
• References: 338003R, 338004R

Designed and manufactured in Italy, Athena reinforced head gaskets are available in two versions:

• MLS: these gaskets are made up of several layers of stainless steel stacked and riveted together. The stainless steel layers are laser cut for greater accuracy and receive an elastomer-based surface coating (NBR or FKM). To achieve optimum sealing, the contours of the cylinders and of the water and oil passages are embossed. For the most extreme applications, additional reinforcement is added around the cylinders.
• O-ring: these gaskets consist of a steel layer coated with asbestos-free aramid fibre and a stainless steel AISI 304 ring around the cylinders. A silicone bead applied at the critical points (water and oil passages) guarantees maximum sealing of the head gasket. This type of gasket is essential on heavily boosted engines.

Technical specification

• Engine bore: up to 83 or 85mm
• Gasket type: MLS
• Number of layers: 3, then 5 for gaskets from 1.42mm thickness upwards
• Compressed thickness options: 0.69, 0.76, 0.91, 1.02, 1.14, 1.30, 1.42, 1.52, 1.68, 1.78, 1.91, 2.03, 2.13, 2.18, 2.34, 2.49, 3.05, 3.56mm
• References: C4246, C4246-027, C4246-030, C4246-036, C4246-040, C4246-045, C4246-051, C4246-056, C4246-060, C4246-066, C4246-070, C4246-075, C4246-080, C4246-084, C4246-086, C4246-089, C4246-092, C4246-098, C4246-120, C4246-140, C4247, C4247-027, C4247-030, C4247-036, C4247-040, C4247-045, C4247-051, C4247-056, C4247-060, C4247-066, C4247-070, C4247-075, C4247-080, C4247-084, C4247-086, C4247-089, C4247-092, C4247-098, C4247-120, C4247-140

Founded by Bob Gorman in 1989, Cometic is recognised worldwide as a leader in the design and manufacture of reinforced head gaskets. These, like the whole of the brand's range, are made in the United States. Cometic reinforced head gaskets are made up of several embossed stainless steel layers held together by rivets. There are three types of Cometic head gasket:

MLS: the equivalent of the Athena MLS gaskets, these multi-layer gaskets (between 3 and 5 stainless steel layers depending on gasket thickness) are embossed around the cylinders and the fluid passages.

• MLX: this gasket shares the same base as the MLS gasket but adds reinforcement (a folded layer) around the cylinders and a special high temperature coating.

• HP: this is an MLX gasket to which an additional layer has been added in order to reinforce the sealing of the cylinders (see below).