What would cause my 1998 Mercury Mystique, 4 cylinder to repeatedly blow head gasket? 3rd time in 4 years. Checked head with dye penetrant, no cracks. Head not warped. Block OK. Head bolts tightened to specs on last two repairs. I don't get it.

IJWH001, August 2009

Checked the head with dye penetrant the first time--checked OK. New head bolts each time tightened to specs and in order. I'm going to replace the head just to be on the safe side.

ijwh001, September 2009

The only thing that can cause this is a warped head or deck level .......cracked block or head .......head been shaved too far causing too high compresion but plugs should be burning up too ........wrong head gasket >?
I have had this problem before but above has fixed it ...felpro blue headgaskets usually fix it with the correct torque ......new headbolts also lubing them so ya can get correct tourqe but have in many cases run the headbolts down with a 3/8 air ratchet and then take a 1/2 drive and run them down with never having a problem ......ya got a parts problem sounds like if the head and block ok ...
Did you find why the headgasket blew the first time >??????????????????????????

bg, August 2009