E86 N52 Head Gasket question

[Street]

I’ve got a 200k+ mile coupe on the ramp that I recently picked up. I’m in the process of replacing the oil filter and cooler gaskets and cleaning up all the sludge that’s been flicked everywhere. I want to see if I can get it to at least 250k miles

Anyway in the vid below you’ll see the rubber edge on the head gasket has perished and starting to break away. I understand the internals of the gasket are aluminium so what is that rubber edge for?

While I’ve got a lot of stuff out of the way do I take that chance to take the head off? I’ve never done it before but if I was going to try now might be a good time.

Any thoughts??
Video:
[youtube]nBxoIUZpxcc[/youtube]

Rubber gasket edge close up:

 

[enuff_zed]

Not sure what it does tbh, but can't see what effect it can have just sticking out in the breeze like that.
If it ain't broke....................

 

[smorris_12]

I can't think of a worse reason to do a head gasket. Leave it well alone!!

 

[Street]

Fair enough sounds harmless. I’m going to declare its to prevent dirt ingress and to align the two layer gasket.

I’ll get the cylinder head off one day. I’ll wait till it explodes first Thanks

 

[smorris_12]

You're just looking for an excuse to tear an engine down!

 

[j3nks79]

I would imagine it’s there to dissipate heat.
If you are going to pull the head off then it would be new gasket and bolt set. Headskim. And may as well do chain and tensioners.

If it’s not causing a problem then as above just leave it alone

 

[Street]

You're just looking for an excuse to tear an engine down!

Exactly that