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3.2L 24v - R32
Manufacturers
3.2L 24v - R32
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Reinforced Cometic head gasket, in multi-layer MLS. Sold individually, one gasket per engine.
The BFH, BJS, BML, BUB, CBRA and BHE petrol engines are VR6 engines of 3.2 litres with 24 valves. They power the Audi A3, A3 Sportback and TT, and the Volkswagen Golf IV R32, Golf V R32 and Eos listed in the compatibility table below.
The original gasket carries part number 022 103 383 K. The manufacturer publishes neither its bore, nor its thickness, nor its construction. An engine takes a single cylinder head gasket, sized for the standard combustion pressure; when that pressure climbs, the clamping force eases, the head lifts slightly and coolant seeps into a cylinder.
Sealing does not rest on the gasket alone: the fasteners that clamp the head to the block contribute just as much. Beyond 100 N/mm², a composite gasket settles for good; the 301 stainless steel of MLS gaskets withstands 517 N/mm², 5 times more, and returns to its shape at every combustion. Also check the condition of the head bolts and replace any that are stretched or damaged.
This page brings together 18 Cometic part numbers, from the American maker of competition gaskets, for a single construction: MLS, multi-layer steel. Two bores are offered: 85 mm in 17 thicknesses from 0.69 to 3.56 mm (C4968), and 86 mm in 0.76 mm (H4332SP1030S). An engine takes a single gasket: order one part number. The thicknesses offered let you adjust the compression ratio without touching the pistons or the cylinder head. As a rule, the gasket bore chosen is at least 0.5 mm larger than the actual cylinder bore. Each part number is sold individually, one gasket per engine.
| Gasket bore | Thickness | Gasket volume | Gasket type OEM not specified | Brand | Part number OEM 022 103 383 K |
| 85 mm | 0.69 mm | 3.92 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-027 |
| 85 mm | 0.76 mm | 4.31 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-030 |
| 85 mm | 0.91 mm | 5.16 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-036 |
| 85 mm | 1.02 mm | 5.79 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-040 |
| 85 mm | 1.14 mm | 6.47 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-045 |
| 85 mm | 1.30 mm | 7.38 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-051 |
| 85 mm | 1.42 mm | 8.06 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-056 |
| 85 mm | 1.52 mm | 8.63 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-060 |
| 85 mm | 1.68 mm | 9.53 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-066 |
| 85 mm | 1.78 mm | 10.10 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-070 |
| 85 mm | 1.91 mm | 10.84 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-075 |
| 85 mm | 2.03 mm | 11.52 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-080 |
| 85 mm | 2.18 mm | 12.37 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-086 |
| 85 mm | 2.34 mm | 13.28 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-092 |
| 85 mm | 2.49 mm | 14.13 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-098 |
| 85 mm | 3.05 mm | 17.31 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-120 |
| 85 mm | 3.56 mm | 20.20 | MLS | Cometic | C4968-140 |
| 86 mm | 0.76 mm | 4.41 | MLS | Cometic | H4332SP1030S |
A gasket's volume is the free space it leaves above each cylinder; it adds to the combustion chamber and lowers the compression ratio. Compare only gaskets of the same bore: 85 mm or 86 mm here.
| Fasteners | Engines | Tightening torque |
| Original cylinder head bolts 022 103 384 L, M10x1,5 x 111 | BFH, BML, BJS, CBRA, BUB | As per the manufacturer's documentation |
Before refitting, check the flatness of the head and block faces with a straightedge, and have them ground if necessary. Cometic gaskets are supplied coated: apply no sealing paste, and clean both faces thoroughly before fitting.
 | Cometic MLS Several stainless steel sheets, embossed and riveted together. Each outer sheet carries active beads that follow the outline of every cylinder and every fluid passage. A moderate clamping load is enough to seal, and the bore distorts little. This versatile gasket runs from the tuned naturally aspirated engine to moderate boost. All the part numbers on this page are offered in this construction. |
Gasket bore. The Cometic MLS is offered in 85 mm (C4968, 17 thicknesses) and in 86 mm (H4332SP1030S, 0.76 mm).
Thickness. No thickness is published for the original gasket 022 103 383 K. A thicker gasket enlarges the combustion chamber and lowers the compression ratio; a thinner one reduces it and raises the ratio.
| Your goal | Thickness to choose |
| Keep the original compression ratio | Original thickness not published: measure the removed gasket, then pick the offered value that comes closest to it |
| Skimmed cylinder head, make up the lost height | The offered thickness closest to the removed gasket's, increased by the material taken off when the head or block was resurfaced |
| Forced induction build, lower the ratio | A thickness greater than that of the removed gasket |
| Naturally aspirated build, raise the ratio | A thickness below that of the removed gasket, down to 0.69 mm, the thinnest value offered |
Before choosing a thinner gasket than the original, use a dial gauge to measure how far the pistons stand above the block's gasket face: it sets the clearance left between piston and head. Take this measurement on all six cylinders.
 | Founded in 1989 and based in Concord, Ohio, Cometic Gasket, Inc. is an American company that designs and builds gaskets and sealing parts for engines. Its reputation rests on made-to-measure gaskets, cut to the bore and thickness requested, all produced in the United States from American materials. |
| Criterion | Original gasket 022 103 383 K | Reinforced gaskets |
| Construction | Construction not stated by the manufacturer | Multilayer stainless steel (MLS) The 18 part numbers on this page are all built this way. |
| Gasket bore | not published | 85 and 86 mm |
| Thicknesses available | thickness not provided by the manufacturer | 0.69 to 3.56 mm, 18 values in 85 and 86 mm |
| Compression ratio adjustment | None | Through the thickness chosen |
| Resistance to overpressure | Limited to standard output | Designed for forced induction |
| Brand | Model | Engine code | Power | Years |
| Volkswagen | Golf IV R32 (1J1) 3.2 R32 4motion | BFH, BJS, BML | 241 hp | 2002-2005 |
| Audi | A3 (8P1) 3.2 V6 quattro | BUB | 250 hp | 2003-2009 |
| Audi | A3 Sportback (8PA) 3.2 V6 quattro | BUB | 250 hp | 2004-2009 |
| Audi | TT (8J3) 3.2 V6 quattro | BUB, CBRA | 250 hp | 2006-2010 |
| Audi | TT Roadster (8J9) 3.2 V6 quattro | BUB, CBRA | 250 hp | 2007-2010 |
| Volkswagen | Eos (1F7, 1F8) 3.2 V6 | BUB, CBRA | 250 hp | 2006-2009 |
| Volkswagen | Golf V R32 (1K1) 3.2 R32 4motion | BUB, CBRA | 250 hp | 2005-2008 |
| Audi | TT (8N3) 3.2 VR6 quattro | BHE | 250 hp | 2003-2006 |
| Audi | TT Roadster (8N9) 3.2 VR6 quattro | BHE | 250 hp | 2003-2006 |
OEM part number: 022 103 383 K.
Important: the part numbers on this page suit only the BFH, BJS, BML, BUB, CBRA and BHE engines: check your vehicle's engine code before ordering.
Once the original gasket reaches its limit, the reinforced gasket takes over: at higher combustion pressure it keeps its shape rather than settling.
A turbo added, a higher compression ratio or more revs with livelier cams: in every case the cylinder head gasket becomes the weak link of the tuned engine. A reinforced gasket avoids the leak and the head removal that follows, far costlier than the gasket itself.
