Head Gasket Question

[89VWdieselGolf]

I'm on the Fel-Pro web site and for a head gasket (87-92) jetta they have:

Head Gasket
 1 HOLE
 NEW HEAD BOLTS RECOMMENDED
 HEAD BOLT SET NOT INCL
 BOLT PREP GRA2 REQD      9437B1   87-92  1
 Head Gasket
 2 HOLE
 NEW HEAD BOLTS RECOMMENDED
 HEAD BOLT SET NOT INCL
 BOLT PREP GRA2 REQD      9438B1   87-92  1
 Head Gasket
 3 HOLE
 NEW HEAD BOLTS RECOMMENDED
 HEAD BOLT SET NOT INCL
 BOLT PREP GRA2 REQD      9439B1   87-92  1

whats the diffrence between 1,2 and 3 hole??? My car is a N/A golf...but on their site the golf doesn't have a diesel motor option so i picked jetta....the jetta's were turbo charged though...does that mean that the head gasket would be diffrent and not work on my car?

thanks,

Jeff

[89VWdieselGolf]

Fel-Pro gaskets are VERY good gaskets :? , and what do u mean head bolt recommended? shouldn't they always be replaced on any motor if you remove them?

[asau]

the german gasket will last longer and you should always get new head bolts when you replace the head gasket

[Patrick]

Where do you think Volks gets there gaskets? I'll bet they're made by a jobber, maybe even Fel-pro. I wouldn't assume it's junk if it didn't come from the volkswagen dealer!

[Peter]

you will know which gasket to use by looking at the one that is on the car...Fel-pro head gaskets are very good and are made in Germany(Canadian tire) ..but if I needed the complete kit, I would go with Victor Reinz or Corteco(both German companies)( look them up on the Web)...and yes NEW headbolts are necesary on this appliciation because they are of the "stretch" type

[srivett]

All I have to say is that North American cars are made with North American parts in North America.  Imported cars are made with imported parts in North America.  So, it isn't the North American people assembling the cars that's the problem.

Steve

[janb]

Not to start a turf war..., but I'll take this side, and concur with the comment, to "use whatever you feel comfortable with", after all, you're the one who will get to do it over, regardless.  (I usually carry spare German parts while in the desert!), often, even head gaskets

I would use the 1.9metal gasket with a Hyd 1.6, and likely use Raceware Studs or High strength Bolts (non-stretch) if turbo application.  If you are paying over $1 each for your stretch bolts, shop around, I've seen some charges near $4, I pay less than $1 each (Portland,OR import jobber (Halsey Import Parts))

Head gaskets are not really that much fun, and I have done a few more than once.  Be careful, as some have the notches in front and some in back, of center so... be sure not to put it in upside down, I've seen it happen, fortunately in a VW you will pour coolant all over your feet, but in a co-worker's Kia, it blocked his oil ports and later blew out the side of his block!! (done by the dealer on 'warranty!!', good thing, as it was in the shop waiting for parts for 6 months!)

[89VWdieselGolf]

well it blew up today....on the 401 and it started to over heat and lost ALL power. pulled over and steam was billowing out from the hood. now i need to know what headgasket to buy but i guess the only way to tell is when its off? if someone knows what one it is could u please tell me, its an 89 N/A golf

thanks, Jeff

[fspGTD]

I would recommend if you can find one in proper thickness, a multi-layer steel headgasket for the canadian 1.9lTD motor made by the brand "Elring".  I am partial to german parts myself, although for sure it's possible for a part made anywhere to be of good quality, it just seems that some countries make better quality parts than others.  German quality superiority I think is pretty common knowledge among VW enthusiasts and generally a learned if not taught thing, as people eventually get burned by bad parts... and over trial and error it becomes apparent which countries have a track record of producing good quality parts.

That said I have not yet seen a VW Diesel headgasket that didn't seem to be of decent enough quality, and I have seen a few brands although not a felpro VW Diesel headgasket before.  I sure hope you didn't warp your head overheating the motor...  as a head rebuild is going to cost you a lot more than just a headgasket.  I sure wouldn't recommend driving any VW Diesel with a known headgasket leak.  Overheating these motors is their primary cause of death!  Good luck...

[89VWdieselGolf]

kk thanks fspGTD...

well ive started taking off the head, i've got the glow plug wire disconnected, timing cover off, valve cover off, ect.  and guess what, my thermostat houseing DOESN'T have a thermostat inside!!! some idiot before me (probably at canadian tire) didnt put one in! WTF!

one question i have...what size are the head bolts? torxT60 or T65?(<just a guess)

thanks, and i'll keep you updated and probably have some more questions

Jeff

[srivett]

In the Tool/Help section of Crappy Tire you'll find a set of Lisle tripple square or 12 point bits.  That's what you want.  

You'll see the # of dots or notches on the old gasket behind the IP.  If it's a 3 notch gasket you'll probably want to have the pistons measured just to make sure.  An engine will run with a 3 notch gasket so some mechanics will use it rather than checking.  Especially if they aren't a WV specialist and don't have the tools.

Steve

[89VWdieselGolf]

well as i was taking off everything i noticed the thermostat houseing was cracked all the way through so im not sure if its the thermostat houseing that let go, or the head gasket. i'm going to drain the oil and see if it's white. If its not, i'll get a new thermostat houseing and put it on and see if it leaks again/still

Jeff (oh and i thought the bolts were torx because they were covered in oil and i just felt them with the tip of my screwdriver)

[89VWdieselGolf]

well as i was taking off everything i noticed the thermostat houseing was cracked all the way through so im not sure if its the thermostat houseing that let go, or the head gasket.

*Embarrassed* its not the thermostat housing, its the thing that LOOKS like it could be, the elbow near the valve cover. i talked to a mechanic and he thinks that is what let go so i'll get a new one, put it on and see if its all good*Embarrassed* :oops:

Jeff

*edit* does anyone know what its called so when i go to partsource i don't look like a complete knob?

[89VWdieselGolf]

*edit* does anyone know what its called so when i go to partsource i don't look like a complete knob?

anyone?

[srivett]

Are you talking about the hose flanges?  

Steve