Help with head removal

[Rabbit TD]

The head is probably fine, they all usualy have those little cracks in them like was already said.  I'd have him make sure it's pretty flat though, that usualy is the biggest problem and the gaskets don't seal right if it's too far out of range.  Don't forget to retorque it after you warm it up and let it cool down first.  This seems to be our biggest problem, leaking head gaskets

[SolarSteve]

When installing the valve cover after installing the head, what valve cover gasket do you use?  And do you re-use the valve cover gasket after re-torquing the head bolts or just buy 2 of them for this job?

Thanks

[boji55]

well this is my first head removal, but this time i will put all new gaskets just to make sure it will run for the next 100k with out a problem. right now i got a pin from a 1.6td and trying to modify my eco pump into a one with a LDA i am doing the governor mod currently and its pretty hard to put on those springs with out them flying all over the place when you have two left hands like me.  . How would you recommend for me to clean the turbo and the intake and exhaust manifold, i was thinking filing up a bucket with gasoline and then dipping them and then cleaning them with a rag.

[theman53]

I use a 8V rubber with steel in it from a newer year golf. I just don't tighten it down super good for the warm up and use it again. Sometimes I have reused it after shimming valves with no leaks after several thousand miles.
The cork though I haven't had the best luck with it yet. On my jetta with the n/a engine the valve cover was warped up and I couldn't ever get it to seal with cork. The rubber one did though. Good luck and if you can't reuse your gasket at least it is an easy one to get to if it leaks.

[boji55]

thanks for all the help the head removal and install was a success the only problem is that today i broke the fuelscrew off the pump good thing a friend gave me one from a 1.5 as a spare or at least i think its from a 1.5   i can post a picture so some one can tell whats its off its a VW Bosch pump with a 9mm head thats what i know for sure i will post a picture tomorrow but if any one wants it its free i will be in the USA in august 17-28 i will send it to them and they will just pay the shipping once they receive it. the pump dose not have a fuel screw and one more part that looks a lda i think