ben16v 0 Posted November 27, 2003 hey guys my head gaskets just gone :( only driven bout twenty miles before it went completely as i`d checked oil etc yesterday and no emulsified oil but there was this morning so it shouldn`t have been cooked but i`ve had conflicting advice on skimming the head, differences in compression and performance gaskets etc! also do the vaves on `91 1.8 16v protrude and therefore need to be removed to skim the head!do i need it skimming?any advice much apprieciated cheers ben :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vr6storm 0 Posted November 27, 2003 hey guys my head gaskets just gone :( only driven bout twenty miles before it went completely as i`d checked oil etc yesterday and no emulsified oil but there was this morning so it shouldn`t have been cooked i take it there is "mayo" on more than just the oil filler cap????......cos if its just the oil filler cap that has the emulsified oil or "mayo" then its more than likely just condensation in the engine due to low ambient temps etc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henny 0 Posted November 28, 2003 If you're sure that the head need skimming, then here's your answers... If it's a standard 1.8 16V based on the factory KR lump, then: If the head gasket's gone, You DO need to skim it... Depending on how overheated you got it, how badly the gasket went, and how long it's been weeping for, dictates how much you have to skim it... You CAN skim the head with the valves in, BUT the head faces are not parallel: IE, the cylinder face and the bit wot the valve cover goes on are not in line with each other, so it needs lining up properly in a good milling machine before it can be done, not just placed on the bed of one... Skimming the head on most modern engines will make the compression slightly higher... On a KR engine, this may make your engine pink slightly more on normal unleaded petrol... You may find that you HAVE to run it on Optimax, or Ulitimum (or whatever it's called, I've still not seen it :roll: ) to stop it pinking. Are you ABSOLUTELY sure it's the head gasket that's gone, and not something else like the oil cooler? Check this out first, as it could save you a lot of money and hassle... Post up why you think it's the head gasket, and someone here will either confirm your fears (I hope not!) or re-assure you that it's something different... 8) Hope you get it sorted soon.... 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben16v 0 Posted November 28, 2003 cheers guys. its up at the garage at the mo` and it`s getting checked today. i know its not the oil cooler as that went about a month ago and i ended up with emulsified oil in my coolant had that replaced i lost all my coolant on monday no signs of any puddles etc, re-filled and check my oil-it all looked ok driving on wednesday about 20 miles car felt ok just not quite right!! so checked it on thursday morning, again no coolant and my dipstick and oil cap were both very clearly covered in emulsified oil! :cry: :cry: so i reckon its pretty much the head, will post what i find out later thanxs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnxl1s 0 Posted November 28, 2003 make sure you get someone who knows what exactly they are doing ie: a mechanic, cause in one case they got the apprentice to strip and rebuild, the car is now with another honest mechanic, and also do not pay them until you take it for a 20min run , give it a good rallying andit should prove to be a lot quicker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobyD 0 Posted November 28, 2003 My head gasket went and i never skimmed the head. As you say there is conflicting advice as usual. Mines been fine ever since though but my gasket hadn't gone badly and she never overheated. Good luck mate! :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnxl1s 0 Posted November 28, 2003 well you were lucky and is it going ok Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben16v 0 Posted November 28, 2003 just got back from the garage-he is a vw mechanic& i do trust him but i`m always a bit suspicious of anyone when it comes to repairing my C! my car didnt overheat at all, the coolant went into the oil within 20 miles of me checking it previously i hadnt been hammering it and the car was running fine before-hand do i need to change stem seals and guides when head work is being done and is there any other parts excluding cambelt,tensioner,head and cam cover gaskets etc that need replacing?? cheers-hopefully be back on wednesday!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted November 28, 2003 Yeah you may aswell replace the guides and seals whilst it's off. Skimming will depend on head run-out. The 16V head is hardened, so it shouldn't warp beyond tolerance. One thing I would definitely do is fit a 2.0 16V steel gasket from a late valver. Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben16v 0 Posted November 28, 2003 cheers guys-much appreciated! i`ve asked my questions, ordered my parts and gonna have to trust my man with spanner!! hopefully see some of you guys at dubsport in january!! thanks again ben. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobyD 0 Posted December 1, 2003 I replaced my cambelt and tensioner at the same time as you have to take the belt off to get the head off. Once you de-tension the belt it should be replaced for a new one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davmatt 0 Posted December 4, 2003 Cant offer any actual advice but you have my deepest sympathy. Mine blew not too long ago and it took my local VW dealer over a year and 3 service managers to fix it. Still not convinced its OK.Good luck!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henny 0 Posted December 4, 2003 ooh, davmatt, that sucks... :shock: My G60's head gasket went and I fixed it in under 3 weeks, including the time it took to get the head completely re-worked and gas-flowed/ported, and I could only work on it weekends! It was great until something else on the engine broke... :? :lol: I've done head gaskets on lots of other VWs, there's no reason that yours should have taken that long unless you were just really unlucky with pants staff at the stealers... :( I did the head gasket on my old 16V KR engine in under 5 hours, INCLUDING the time it took to drive to the local engineers to get the head skimmed, adn visit my local VAG dealer for the rest of the parts! :D :roll: 8) If I were you, I'd be thinking about never going near that dealer again and finding a decent specialist near you that won't take the micky out of you... :? Have a look in the servicing thread for recommended garages near to you... 8) Oh, and welcome to the forum! :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben16v 0 Posted December 5, 2003 well i took mine back from my first mechanic as he said it wouldnt need skimming& valve seals would be fine??? it at a main dealer alternative now for the work...gonna get 1years warranty and i got a hammered mk2 8v to spin about in-backfires an everything, i feel 17 again!! new garage got quite a good rep but it still gonna cost £500-you think thats ok?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
