Cometic vs Apexi (What causes the Cometic to leak) Please view

[david200095367]

I decided to upgrade my head gasket and went with a Cometic. When i went to start the car I had a major oil leak front the left side of the head. I re-did the head gasket again and applied silicone in the area. Again it was leaking from the same area. Now I removed the head for the 3rd time and now decided to compare it with my Apexi head gasket and found this.

So after researching and examing the head gaskets the Cometic head gasket for the s14 sr20det is designed wrong. It only seals around one oil passage hole when in reality it needs two.

So I would recommend anyone wanting to upgrade there head gasket to stay away from Cometic.


Modified by david200095367 at 10:39 PM 2/7/2008

[david200095367]

When I ordered from Frsport the picture shows the Cometic head gasket having that extra material sealing around the oil hole. But in reality it does not. So I think this is false advertising. Do you guys think I should be able to get a refund?
Modified by david200095367 at 9:44 PM 2/7/2008

[bruinbear714]

Nevermind, see images below!
Modified by bruinbear714 at 6:09 AM 2/8/2008

[david200095367]

No i believe you are wrong. If you look under my screen name you will notice that I have a s14 sr20det motor.

[bruinbear714]

No i believe you are wrong. If you look under my screen name you will notice that I have a s14 sr20det motor.

Well, let's look at the head gaskets:

First one up, Cosworth, 2 oil holes, link to product. No specification to what engine it works for, so I'm assuming S13/S14/S15:

Secone one - Greddy head gasket link to product. Also 2 oil holes. Says S13/S14/S15.



Third one - HKS SR20 gasket. Also 2 oil holes. Works for S13/S14/S15:



Every gasket shown above has 2 oil holes. They work for S13, S14, or S15 engines.

[david200095367]

As we can see all other brand have the extra material sealing around the oil passage. So it is a flaw on Cometic's part.

[MagikDragon]

looks to me that you got a fwd headgasket by mistake.

go to http://www.cometic.com and see for yourself. looks like whoever you bought it from got you the wrong one.

[david200095367]

So in this case wouldn't you say i should be refunded for the cometic head gasket? do i have a point there? I will contact Frsport tomorrow and let them know and ask for a refund.

[david200095367]

I examined the fwd sr20de head gasket and it looks different. I think its a design flaw from Cometic or they have part numbers screwed up. I was sent a head gasket for 1 oil hole and the s14 seems to have 2 oil holes.

[bruinbear714]

If you guys go to Cometic's site, http://www.cometic.com/sportcompact.aspx and pick Nissan as the Make, then pick between the RWD SR20DET with 2 oil holes and SR20DET RWD with 1 oil hole, you'll see the difference and why David is having the oil issue.

[FRSport]

Hi,

I just wanted to clear something up. First of all, please go to the Cometic website at http://www.cometic.com/sportcompact.aspx.

Under "Select Make",

select Nissan

and under "Choose Engine"

select "SR20DE/DET 91-96 DOHC 16V 2.0L (W/ VVL) 1 int. oil hole" -please note the "1 int. oil hole" part.

Picture of the SR20DET w/ vvl (1 int oil hole) from cometic site. (below)

Picture of the SR20DET w/o vvl (2 int oil hole) from cometic site. (below)Note Bottom Left of Picture: w/ VVL has one hole, w/o has two. (incorrect)

As you can see, according to the cometic catalog they intended to have only 1 oil hole for SR20DET w/ VVL. This is wrong because SR20DET w/ vvl requires 2 oil hole while the SR20DET non vvl will work with 1 or 2. As an authorized Cometic Dealer, we will make sure to relay this very important information to them so they can get this issue fixed at once.

The shop that you bought the Cometic gasket from gave you the one according to the advertised specs, so this is not their fault. This looks like something that Cometic needs to clear up.

And most important:*****************If you purchased this Cometic Head Gasket from FRSport.com, please email, or call us during normal business hour at your convenience, and we will make sure that you get taken cared of.*****************

Good Luck,FRSport.com Team

[david200095367]

Yea I actually got it from you guys (Frsport). And i ordered my Apexi one from you too.

[FRSport]

Thank you for choosing us; please call us during business hours and we'll take care of you so you can get your car back up and running.

Here is the picture of the S13 engine gasket kit. There's only 1 oil hole.

-FRSport.com Team

[SR'dS13]

I'm replacing my head gasket too right now along with the timing set, and my cometic has both FYI, so no defect... You just got sent the wrong one or possibly entered wrong info when ordering, mistakes happen unfortunately... Musta sucked having to pull the head again...

[david200095367]

ok thank you I appreciate it. Who do I ask for though? are you Dung, Vu, or Cat? or someone i dont know?

[FRSport]

Any one of our nice sales rep will be glad to assist you. I've made sure the whole team knows about your case and will be waiting for your call. Thank you again and sorry for all the inconvenience.

-FRSport.com Team

[SR'dS13]

J

Thank you for choosing us; please call us during business hours and we'll take care of you so you can get your car back up and running.

Here is the picture of the S13 engine gasket kit. There's only 1 oil hole.

-FRSport.com Team

ust to make sure I'm correct, w/2 holes is for w/o VVL right?

[david200095367]

Whats your name? lol

[SR'dS13]

Mine? lol

Whats your name? lol

[david200095367]

SR'dS13 is you have a s13 sr20det you can maybe use the cometic i have pictured up top without the extra material to seal the oil passage. But if you have the s14 sr20det you need the other one pictured as it has 2 oil passages.

But honestly just stay away from Cometic and get something well known like Apexi, Tomei, Hks. I will never buy Cometic again!

[david200095367]

haha no i meant the Frsport sales rep who is posting.

[SR'dS13]

Mine has the 2 oil holes, I have a redtop S13 SR... I've heard its fine using it... Is it?? I dont want leaks... :/

[FRSport]

One more time to clear things up.

SR20DET w/o vvl has 1 oil hole -OEM.SR20DET w/ vvl has 2 oil holes -OEM.

If you have a motor w/o vvl you can use either and it will work.If you have a motor w/ vvl you can only use the version with 2 holes.

-FRSport.com Team

[david200095367]

Thanks Frsport.

[SR'dS13]

but ppl say its ok to use the 2 oil hole even if I dont have vvl... I'm askin' if its ok b/c JGY customs sent me the one with 2 oil holes knowing I have an S13 redtop none vvl motor...

[david200095367]

If i were you SR'dS13 i would by a well known brand. Ive heard many complaints about cometic. And none for Apexi, Tomei or Hks.

[SR'dS13]

SORRY FRsport... missed it where you said you can use it.. so, sorry if you replied... lol... I'm tired!!! haha

[david200095367]

You would be fine with either or.

[SR'dS13]

I've used cometic before and never had an issue... I think a lot of ppl just dont torque to spec or in sequence properly enough.. lol

[david200095367]

Your choice. But Im staying away.