davidwort 0 Posted March 30, 2009 I remember doing my first cyl head, 1L polo, pretty easy as it was carb and you could just leave the entire inlet on, daunting at first, but quite a straightforward job really. While you're at it I think it's only right you should put a 2L bottom end in there :D BTW, this thread has been a bad influence, I'm looking for a mk2 to play with now :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtytorque 0 Posted March 30, 2009 so much space in those engine bays. :) Almost criminal to pay someone else to do stuff on these. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 BTW, this thread has been a bad influence, I'm looking for a mk2 to play with now :lol: Sorry matey!... :lol: But they are wicked fun and soooo easy to work on. I don't know about a 2.0 bottom end, I'm struggling to resist the urge to drop a VR in there! 8) This is the second time I've done a head gasket. I've taken all the manifolds and stuff off just so I can give everything a good clean and renew all the gaskets. When I first got the car the cam cover gasket was shot and everything is caked in oil and it has kind of seeped into the manifold gaskets. There was a little pond of oil sitting in the inlet manifold where it curves over. Where the head gasket has leaked down the back of the engine everything down there is a real mess too. Whilst I was under the car undoing the downpipe nuts I was dodging drops of coolant and oil. :pale: So that needs a good clean as well. Now the clocks have changed I can do a lot more in the evenings so I'm hoping she'll bee back to life by the end of next weekend. :D so much space in those engine bays. :) Almost criminal to pay someone else to do stuff on these. I know mate. I don't know if it's just because I have a slightly better idea of what I'm doing this time round but I've found this so much easier than last time. :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Well, took the head into work so I could use the tools in the workshop to clean up the surface of the head and check for warpage etc. Um, now please don't ever mistake me for an expert in such things but I'm guessing the surface that meets the head gasket needs to be as flat as possible? Well, mine is pitted. And it's worse were the gasket had gone. So I'm assuming this was the cause. Please refer to the below image to which I have rendered white "circles" using highly sophisticated photo imaging techniques to highlight the offending areas: So I dropped it off at an engine specialist this afternoon to get it skimmed. Picking it up tomorrow. Also going in to VW tomorrow to order lots of gaskets and various other things I need before putting it all back together. :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toad 0 Posted March 30, 2009 You can fill those patches with JB weld or chemical metal prior to skimming. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 You can fill those patches with JB weld or chemical metal prior to skimming. Didn't realise that. Oh well, I'm sure the guys will sort it out. Surely they weren't there when the head was manufactured? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toad 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Nope, it's where there hasn't been enough corrosion inhibiter in the coolant. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Nope, it's where there hasn't been enough corrosion inhibiter in the coolant. Nice, so someone at some point has had a water leak and instead of sorting it out they've just kept topping up the coolant with water? :bad-words: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toad 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Or not replaced the coolant as soon as they should have done. Could be many things. It's a 20 year old car, lots of stuff could have happened by now... I must put some new coolant in my car... It's got pretty much just water in at the moment. but I need to change the water pump and thermostat soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Or not replaced the coolant as soon as they should have done. Could be many things. It's a 20 year old car, lots of stuff could have happened by now... I must put some new coolant in my car... It's got pretty much just water in at the moment. but I need to change the water pump and thermostat soon. True, I mustn't forget how old the thing is I suppose. Funnily enough I'm changing the coolant now.... :lol: I just can't wait until it's all done. It's gonna be a properly sorted Mk2 when I'm finished. I really should learn to stop saying that. :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mic_VR 3 Posted March 30, 2009 I trust you'll be refiling with G12++? Looks like its been filled with something other than G11,12,12+ etc so if you are filing with the correct VW stuff then I'd flush the block/rad etc through with a hose before you do as they don't like to be mixed. Looking good though mate, take it you're still off to the AGM on sunday? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Yes mate, gonna flush out everything. Then fill with vw stuff. The list of jobs I've got planned for the next few days is pretty long. Lucy isn't gonna see much of me this week! :lol: I shall indeed be off to the AGM on Sunday. Making a stand for merchandising manager. :D You gonna be there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mic_VR 3 Posted March 30, 2009 Haha, get what you mean mate. I'm getting my quality time in with Amy now as from June I'll be MIA on the VRT! :lol: Yeah I'm hoping to be at he AGM, be good to catch up with everyone and have a look round the museum etc. convoy? car share? :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 I'm defo taking the rado as it hasn't been on a run since G-Werks. Well up for a convoy mate or if you want a lift that's cool too. Let me know. :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Dude 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Making a stand for merchandising manager. :lol: nice choice of words Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Making a stand for merchandising manager. :lol: nice choice of words What? What can possibly be wrong with that sentence?! :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Dude 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Making a stand for merchandising manager. :lol: nice choice of words What? What can possibly be wrong with that sentence?! :lol: merchandising...stand....its a good pun! :wave: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Ah, with ya. But only you could spot that jim! :wink: :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mic_VR 3 Posted March 31, 2009 Well thinking about it I've never actually been in a G60 so I might take you up on the offer of a lift, if that's ok? :grin: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 31, 2009 Well thinking about it I've never actually been in a G60 so I might take you up on the offer of a lift, if that's ok? :grin: Yeah, no worries matey! :D I'll pm you my mobile number and we can sort it all out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted March 31, 2009 Ordered a load more bits this morning. God the cost is adding up now! :pale: But I have always had this thing about replacing things that probably aren't necessary. Oh well. On the plus side it's really nice to be able to work into the evenings. So... this is my life.... :( :lol: Cleaned the block up a bit today: Also got the head back from being skimmed. Looks a lot better now. Hopefully I might even be able to start rebuilding it tomorrow. Fingers crossed.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete_griff 0 Posted March 31, 2009 nice to see you taking the time to "heal" it like this - you're making me want a mk2 as a runabout now though! :lol: looks like a lovely example, should be very nice once it's all back together :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CTWG60 0 Posted March 31, 2009 But I have always had this thing about replacing things that probably aren't necessary. It's called obsessive compulsive disorder! I have it to, I haavvve it tooo, I have it too, I hhhhhaaavveeeee iiiiittt tttoooooo! :tongue: Fortunately I come to my senses when contemplating having body work done! 'Cos' that costs way too much!! :shock: To get compulsive about! :gag: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted April 1, 2009 nice to see you taking the time to "heal" it like this - you're making me want a mk2 as a runabout now though! :lol: Cheers mate! :cheers: And I seem to be having that affect on quite a few people at the moment! :lol: looks like a lovely example, should be very nice once it's all back together :D Yeah, the body work is straight as anything. It is a great little car, otherwise I wouldn't be putting so much effort in. Once the engine is sorted out I can start getting through the advisories from the last MOT. :D But I have always had this thing about replacing things that probably aren't necessary. It's called obsessive compulsive disorder! I have it to, I haavvve it tooo, I have it too, I hhhhhaaavveeeee iiiiittt tttoooooo! :tongue: Fortunately I come to my senses when contemplating having body work done! 'Cos' that costs way too much!! :shock: To get compulsive about! :gag: Hmmmm... your symptoms sound very similar to mine. I also have an inbuilt fear of body work. Unfortunately I'm running out of other things to do on the Rado.... :pale: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicriot13 0 Posted April 2, 2009 Rebuilt the head this evening. I can't wait for it to go back on tomorrow. Still a bit of work to do before I can get it started again though. Hopefully all going well it will be finished on Saturday evening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites