Author Topic: Would you use this headgasket? (Read 5779 times)

burn_your_money · « **on:** October 20, 2006, 02:58:57 pm »

I just got my headgasket in the mail and it's a bit differant then what I took off.

You can see that the coolant passages on the new one are smaller.
All of the holes are there though.
Would you use it for should I send it back?

Baxter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:15:47 pm »

I use Victor Reinz gaskets on all sorts of VW/Audi cars with no trouble.
Parts do vary between manufacturers, as long as all the holes are there I don't think it will make much difference.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:17:21 pm »

Also, what's best for getting rid of this last bit of stuff? Or am I good to go?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:18:56 pm »

Thank you Mr Brick-Yard, I wasn't sure if the high head temps and the smaller holes would be a bad combo.

You seem to know what you're talking about though

Baxter · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:18:50 pm »

Dunno about the head, once I take them off I send them for pressure testing and I get them back skimmed so there is no chance of it being on the piss.
The only heads I used to remove and replace without a skim was the old MK1,2 and 3 Polos (FOX?) as the corner of the block would corrode and push the head away from the block resulting in a leak on number one cylinder, the heads never seemed to warp, I just used to take head off, give it a quick once over with some 80's on a block with some light oil and get the head back on.
We used to do that many that my collegue had the operation down to about 45 minutes, he had been doing them for 15 odd years though, I only managed to do them in an hour! Drive in, pull head off, quick scrub, head back on, coolant in and outside for running up.
Job jobbed.

Seriously though, I would be tempted to run a straight edge over it before you waste your time putting it on only to find it's not right.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:30:04 pm »

I'll defintly be running a straight edge over it. I wanted to clean it up a bit first so I would get accurate results. I plan on doing the same with the block. I'm pretty sure it will be within specs, I never let it get hot. I freak out if it is 3 lines from the first orange line and pull over until it cools.

macsdub · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:54:37 pm »

yea that head looks pretty clean
just put the new gasket up to the head,and see if you missed any areas around the fire rings on the head gasket area,or near the prechanber too,but yea it looks pretty good

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2006, 05:08:19 pm »

I think I'll bust out the sandpaper and WD40 tomorrow or something along those lines to get it nice and shiny. Hopefully the few small scratches I put in it won't do much. I doubt they will though. Stupid razor blade wasn't perfectly straight.
Hopefully the block goes nice and quick....

Do I need to take it easy on my new headgasket once I get it installed and running or can I start wailing on it as soon as it's warmed up?

What's the current consensous on retorquing after 1000kms (or whatever it is)

wolfsburgnut · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2006, 07:05:08 pm »

I'm gonna quote the Bentley manual here:

Caution-
Do not use a metal scraper or wire brush to clean the aluminum cylinder head. These may damage the cylinder head. These may damage the cylinder head. Instead, use a solvent to soften carbon deposits and old sealing materials. If necessary, use a wooden or plastic scraper.

I just use Paint Gun wash and a rag and I have never had a problem removing the leftovers from the head and block

Peter

burn_your_money · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2006, 07:13:23 pm »

I scrubbed that head for about an hour to get it to look like that. Whats left is really stuck on there. I've been using gasket remover and break cleaner. I was extremely careful with the razor and I'd have to say it was nessesary and worth it

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2006, 08:27:22 pm »

Yea, I've have a 1.6 TD head that I cleaned up with alot of solvent Varsol and brake cleaner... and I used the razor blade once.... never again. but I think I wil ltry the straight edge test to see if shes good.

I think I'll take it in for a shave to but that will be when I fix the bottom end.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2006, 05:37:09 am »

actually when I look at it again I think you're right. 4 are round, and 4 aren't :?

I'm so excited about getting my rabbit back that I woke up at 6am. Too bad the store doesn't open until 9. I need some more materials.

I thought it wasn't practical to bring a head in for a shave because of the precombustion chambers? Then again it does look like mine was brought in before (which is good, it co-insides with the rebuild I was told about when I bought it)

macsdub · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2006, 12:13:55 pm »

wood works good in combo with gasket remover
toothpics+zip strip were my friend when i did my ring lands on pistons
a very "furry" or light wire brush ina drill can sometimes help on stubborn deposits,but thats only if you are good+careful too

burn_your_money · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2006, 04:08:19 pm »

Well I got it all cleaned, and installed. Now I just need to add coolant and a starter and I can fire it up (hopefully).

Of course it's never easy. When I was draining the coolant and removing the thermostat I snapped on of the bolts off in the waterpump, so I had to swap that. I must be getting good at it though, only took like 30 minutes

myke_w · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2006, 11:05:28 am »

I use green scotch brite pads on a die grinder to do polishing of aluminum.. doesn't eat the metal up at all..

see link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43998&viewitem=&item=4614417748

Author Topic: Would you use this headgasket? (Read 5779 times)

Baxter

Baxter