Is this head trashed? Cracks in combustion chamber

[subsonic]

Hi,
I brought my 1.9td head to the shop today.  upon cleaning we found small cracks on the face of the precombustion chamber inserts.  All were hairline cracks.  Are these toast now?  Has anyone ever replaced these?
The shop guy was not certain on this.
Anyone? :?   Jim

[745 turbogreasel]

I have had em make combustion noise with irregularities in the inserts.

[QuickTD]

If those cracks are serious then all 1.9TD's heads are junk, they all have them, just like they all have cracks between the valve seats. If it doesn't look like any chunks are ready to fall out I'd leave them alone.

[subsonic]

I found an old post where Dave from PP said he could source these for 25 bucks.  I called him up but does not have them on hand.  He gave me the name of ALTROM a parts supplier in Canada.  I called them up and the tech gave me the Part # 028 103 391M .  Prechamber inserts for 1993-1998 VW 1.9TD.  He said to call the Canadian versian of NAPA.  They should be able to get them in a few days is what the man said.
My concern with the crack was on one of the inserts, it went past where it looked like the head gasket sealed around the cyl.
Has anyone actualy seen one where pieces have actually broken off?  When do you consider it ready to replace?
Thanks, Jim

[bmoore]

There is  a maximum width that the cracks can be. I highly recomend getting it tested as I did not andf had to do the job twice but with a new head the second time. Cracks between the intake and exhaust valves are normal.

[AdAm84]

the 6.2/6.5 must be notorious for this (cracks between valves and in chambers) since there are kits for fixing this in the engine building mags. it uses a sort of plug that screws in the crack after you drill it. and then the head is broken off. they are overlapped the whole lenghth of the crack. then head is resurfaced. idk but this might be the same sort of problem since they have the precombustion chambers and stuff.