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Head gasket
by
davidmccasland
on 25 Mar, 2009 10:35
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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?
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#1
by
96jetta
on 25 Mar, 2009 11:51
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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
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#2
by
gigaz2
on 25 Mar, 2009 15:59
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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
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#3
by
Rabbit TD
on 25 Mar, 2009 16:35
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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.
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#4
by
79rabbit4dr
on 25 Mar, 2009 22:36
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#5
by
davidmccasland
on 26 Mar, 2009 07:31
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Im a student in Durango Co
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#6
by
davidmccasland
on 01 Apr, 2009 11:02
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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?
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#7
by
96jetta
on 03 Apr, 2009 16:28
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is either end of the line connected to any thing? what is the line made of?
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#8
by
Vincent Waldon
on 03 Apr, 2009 16:31
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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
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.
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#9
by
jettabrendan
on 03 Apr, 2009 17:41
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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..
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#10
by
Smokey Eddy
on 03 Apr, 2009 20:39
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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.
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#11
by
dieselweasel
on 03 Apr, 2009 22:31
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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.
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#12
by
maxfax
on 03 Apr, 2009 23:14
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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...
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#13
by
ccoxva
on 07 Apr, 2009 14:54
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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.
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#14
by
ccoxva
on 10 Apr, 2009 12:56
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What can I retourqe the head to and be safe???