Head gasket question relevance 2 or 3 hole

[DieselVanagon]

According to my part supplier the AHU TDI head gaskets variations are identified by holes??. There is a 2 hole version with 1.5mm thickness and a 3 hole version with 1.6mm.
Where are these identifying holes, how much does it matter to get the right one?

[fairweather]

You can get 1,2 or 3 holes. It depends on the amount of piston protrusion above the block, The specs are in the Bentley.

Looked it up:

For 1Z/AHU
.91-1.0 mm  1 hole
1.01-1.10mm 2 hole
1.11-1.2mm   3 hole

I used a 25$ digital caliper and confirmed with a micrometer though the mic is overkill for this. Make sure the piston is at absolute TDC.

[burn_your_money]

The ID holes are on the front of the engine in front of cylinders #2 and #3. It's a tab sticking out. Usually you can go by what is on there but the proper way is to measure it. Mechanics are lazy and will just swap on a #3 gasket (thickest)

[DieselVanagon]

Thanks for the advice. I will measure to confirm what I need to order. The tab on mine has one small hole and one oblong.

This website has great pictures of the differnet head gaskets.
http://www.ipco-inc.com/