better yet, what turbo does it have? if it has a K03, than 24psi probably WILL blow a head gasket..
k04 from an eclipse...
So i can just buy the proper head gasket , head bolts and other necessary gaskets and go for it..
sweet - i gotta buy tools too... dont own any injection tools
you need a 12mm XZN (provided it still has the correct engine installed) for the head bolts..
and a 27mm deep socket.. very deep. mine is actually cut in half, with a chunk of pipe welded between the 2 halves..
the injection lines are 17mm, and you DONT need line wrenches, but it never hurts.
its VERY straight forward to replace the head gasket on a VW diesel, but be sure to measure the piston protrusion to be sure you order the correct thickness of head gasket.. even tho its boosted, there is NO REASON to run a thicker head gasket than what the piston protrusion calls for. lowering the compression in an IDI is not a good idea.. it just makes it harder to start, and less efficient while operating.
when you put the engine back together, i would limit boost to 15psi or so, or else intercool it, and run a free flowing intake and exhaust system..
if you leave the boost that high, with that turbo (quite restrictive i imagine) it will more than likely just keep blowing head gaskets.. excessive back pressure blows the head gaskets on VW diesels.. not too much boost.
if you have a good flowing intake and exhaust, you can run LOTS of boost fairly safely..
its when you have crappy flowing manifolds, and restrictive turbos that the head gaskets start going out..
btw, if you dont go wild with boost and drive pressure, there is no need to spend $100+ on head studs..
ive been running a big VNT on my engine, and boosting up past 30psi for a LONG TIME, and i have RE USED head bolts, and a RE USED gasket..