D40 Head Gasket Size/notches

[rtomlin1]

Hello all,
Just a quick enquiry as to the different size or thickness/layers in a head gasket. I have had the head machined and they said it just scraped in to be used again, so I thought I would be clever and used a 5 notch head gasket but alas now I have no start, could this be the problem or do I look for something else?
Thanks Rob

 

[Old.Tony]

It does rely on compression to ignite the fuel, but let's make sure everything is happening correctly before we go undoing the head again!

You need air + fuel. You don't need the turbo to start the engine. You don't want EGR flooding the chamber. Ok, now let's check a couple of things.

1) If you prime the fuel system, does the bulb go firm within 3-4 squeezes or does it take 10 or more?

2) Is the air intake ok, and not blocked by anything?

3) You had the head off, which means camshafts no longer in chains. When reassembled, are you certain the timing chains were aligned correctly?

4) What do you smell in the exhaust after cranking the engine?

5) While cranking the engine, is there any smoke at all?

That's a start.