Head gasket finally done for?

[bvolks73]

I think I already have the answer but am looking for a second opinion. My 85 NA has had a slight head gasket leak for a while but it has been working great, just a bit of pressure in the coolant. However, when I tried to start it this morning it wouldn't go. The block heater had been plugged in all night and was working. I can hear the fuel shut-off click and the filter was full of fuel when I took it off (I thought it might have been frozen). It just barely kicks when I crank it over. The glow plugs are definitely working, the dome light dims a lot when the indicator is lit and it brightens back up again when the indicator goes out so I know at least a couple are working. I haven't checked how many but it will usually start without waiting for them at all if it's been plugged in for a while. What convinces me that the head gasket finally gave out is that the coolant is pressurizing enough to hear it coming out the cap after just a minute or so of cranking. What do you guys think?

[zukgod1]

Sounds like you are on the correct path.

May be hydro locked I would not attempt to run it anymore.

[bvolks73]

The only real unfortunate part is that the MVI just ran out on my GLI and I'll be without a second car until Monday. I had planned on pulling the motor as soon as I can get at my brother's TD anyway and putting that motor in so it's no great loss. Unfortunately the TD is buried to the roof with snow right now and it doesn't look like I'll be able to get at it for a month or so. I might pull the head anyway next and do an autopsy on it. It's the first time this car hasn't been running in the 12 years I've owned it.

[jtanguay]

has it been getting progressively harder to start? valves ever been adjusted? how was it running before you shut it off last?  hopefully no bent rods...

[bvolks73]

It had been getting a bit harder to start but it started great the day before and nothing seemed out of the ordinary when I shut it off last. The valves have never been touched in the last 200,000 kms I've put on the motor. It's definitely getting fuel because I disconnected one of the return lines between the injectors and fuel shot out while I was cranking it and there are no air bubbles in the clear fuel line. I'm going to double check the timing too, but I'm sure it wasn't pressurizing the coolant that badly before so it must be the head gasket.

[jtanguay]

It had been getting a bit harder to start but it started great the day before and nothing seemed out of the ordinary when I shut it off last. The valves have never been touched in the last 200,000 kms I've put on the motor. It's definitely getting fuel because I disconnected one of the return lines between the injectors and fuel shot out while I was cranking it and there are no air bubbles in the clear fuel line. I'm going to double check the timing too, but I'm sure it wasn't pressurizing the coolant that badly before so it must be the head gasket.

well if its an '85 N/A you might want to check valve clearance (they say to check valve clearance every 15'000km's), although i doubt it would just suddenly cause a no-start without much warning (it would get progressively harder and harder to start until it didn't start anymore because the valves arent opening enough)

on mine the fuel pre-heater was sucking in air and i couldn't start my car.

[bvolks73]

Update: I tried to start it again today and still not even a kick so I figured I'd check the timing. Popped the covers off and everything seemed to be lined up, except the pump looked to be out a bit so I pulled the belt off and started from scratch. Lined everything up the best I could but the pump still seemed to be out. If I moved it back a tooth it was WAY out so I put it back where it was. Put it back together and tried it and it kicked!. Cranked it a bit more and it fired right up! I'm not really sure what was going on. I've shut it down and started it back up several times and it fires right up. It's been idling for the last half hour to see if it's going to heat up but it hasn't so far. I really need a dial indicator though so I can get the timing dead on instead of just close. Regardless, I'm parking it and putting the GLI back on the road on Monday.

[jtanguay]

Update: I tried to start it again today and still not even a kick so I figured I'd check the timing. Popped the covers off and everything seemed to be lined up, except the pump looked to be out a bit so I pulled the belt off and started from scratch. Lined everything up the best I could but the pump still seemed to be out. If I moved it back a tooth it was WAY out so I put it back where it was. Put it back together and tried it and it kicked!. Cranked it a bit more and it fired right up! I'm not really sure what was going on. I've shut it down and started it back up several times and it fires right up. It's been idling for the last half hour to see if it's going to heat up but it hasn't so far. I really need a dial indicator though so I can get the timing dead on instead of just close. Regardless, I'm parking it and putting the GLI back on the road on Monday.

the dial indicator in your situation would be invaluable!  :lol:

[1slowvw]

Hey where about in N-B are you located? just out of curiosity. Might be able to hook you up with someone with a timming guage.

1SlowVW