Author Topic: Head gasket (Read 4165 times)

davidmccasland · « **on:** March 25, 2009, 10:35:52 am »

so i just bought a 1981 vw rabbit 1.6 na and after i changed the coolant i noticed that coolant was seeping from the head gasket... how hard is it to change on that engine? it doesnt seem that bad its really small and right in front of you, as long as its not warped and cracked, also which gasket do i order the 2 notch or 3?

96jetta · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:51:39 am »

the curent guasket should still have the holes it in. there is a small part of the guasket sticking out in behind the injection pump

gigaz2 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:59:06 pm »

really easy to change the HG on a NA engine, on the TD the hardest part are the turbo connections, witch you don't need to worry about

you have to measure piston protrusion to select the HG, a set of feeler gauges and your set.
you could just slap a 3 notch in there, but when you have trouble starting it, rough idle and poor mileage you will regret that decision

Rabbit TD · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:35:06 pm »

There is a tab sticking out on the gasket in front which is probably covered with grime, it has either holes or notches which indicate which one to get. If it's a 2 I'd probably just go get a 2 but if it's a 3 I think I'd measure first. It's probably been changed before and lots of times shops just put a 3 on instead of measuring just to stay on the safe side. Most of them from the factory were 2's to begin with.

79rabbit4dr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2009, 10:36:15 pm »

search is your friend.

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=17027.0

this has pictures, measurements for protrusion, etc.

p.s. please add your location in your profile, you might have a neighbor that could help

davidmccasland · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2009, 07:31:54 am »

Im a student in Durango Co

davidmccasland · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:02:08 am »

so where the upper radiator hose is attached to the engine the little aluminum piece is leaking, when i replace the gasket to i use sealant or not
another thing where the vacuum line goes from the engine there is another tube that does not go to anything i was curious what that was for? testing vacuum pressure?

96jetta · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:28:29 pm »

is either end of the line connected to any thing? what is the line made of?

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:31:17 pm »

Quote from: "davidmccasland"

so where the upper radiator hose is attached to the engine the little aluminum piece is leaking, when i replace the gasket to i use sealant or not

This is sealed with a rubber o-ring.... no sealant required

Quote from: "davidmccasland"

another thing where the vacuum line goes from the engine there is another tube that does not go to anything i was curious what that was for? testing vacuum pressure?

This could be a lot of things... best bet is to post up a picture or two if you can. See the FAQ if you need help figuring out how to post pictures... there's a good write-up there.

jettabrendan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:41:34 pm »

before you get too carred away(if you havent allready) re torque the bolts if there is no oil in the coolant or vice verse.. if its just leaking out of the side torquring should fix it. it did on my other jetta and its holding up just fine..

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:39:30 pm »

Sometimes coolant will leak from the T at the head and you won't see it leak from there because you'll rarely look at it while it's running. The coolant will dribble down the head and sit on the HG bringing you to believe the HG is leaking.

While the car is running and up to temp. give the T on the head a little wiggle up and down.

dieselweasel · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2009, 10:31:39 pm »

Quote from: "Smokey Eddy"

Sometimes coolant will leak from the T at the head and you won't see it leak from there because you'll rarely look at it while it's running. The coolant will dribble down the head and sit on the HG bringing you to believe the HG is leaking.

While the car is running and up to temp. give the T on the head a little wiggle up and down.

That's what I was going to say...I bet the HG isn't leaking, it's just coming from the water flange and running down to the HG.

maxfax · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2009, 11:14:04 pm »

x2 on it being the coolant neck.. I'd start there.. Good chance that the surface of the head and or the coolant neck are pitted a bit, a little RTV with the o-ring won't hurt (just don;t get crazy with it, thin coating!)

Take some PB blaster (or equivelant) and soak the heck outta the bolts holding the neck to the head... These little guys love to sieze in there and twist off..

If it does turn out to be your head gasket you have a 1981 which should have 11mm head bolts.. You can try retorqing these, but DO NOT OVER TORQUE THEM!.. You run a very high risk of cracking the block.. Actually you run a pretty high risk of cracking the block just by retorquing these to spec.... If by chance you end up replacing the head gasket, do a search on head studs!!! The whole cracking of the block issue will be explained...

ccoxva · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:54:11 pm »

I am having the same prob but my head has been resurfaced and checked for cracks and just reassembled. We just got it running and it has water sitting in the same spot on the gasket. Only gets wet when its been drove over about ten minutes. Glad you guys are on here I was gonna remove the head again.
Thanks Chris Cox.

ccoxva · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:56:27 pm »

What can I retourqe the head to and be safe???

Author Topic: Head gasket (Read 4165 times)

96jetta

79rabbit4dr

96jetta