Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 22:26:16 -0400
Reply-To: Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject: Re: diesel head gasket - which one?
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You must take off the valve cover and determine if you have the 11mm hex
head bolts or the 12mm triple star head bolts. You must count the
notches on the front of the engine as well. With those two facts, you
can order the gasket that is currently installed. Ideally, you would
measure the piston projection above the block surface, then order the
right depth, but I doubt it will be other than what you have already.
I've measured several engines, and they've all been correct so far.
Living in San Diego, I would certainly think you can find the head
gasket locally. I would recommend establishing a sort of relationship
with a local foreign car parts store. By an oil baffle for the head
while your at it.
If you have the 12mm bolts, you'll need to order a replacement set of
them as well. Also, you'll need a triple star (sometimes called serrated
bit) set. I found my set at Pep Boys for about $10 I think. Lisle I
believe is the manufacturer.
Replace the thermostat, timing belt and water pump while you have
everything apart! Also, in order to time it correctly, you'll need a 1"
dial indicator ($10 at harbor freight, you have one locally).
Plan on spending about $100-150.
Brad
Matt Ratto wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>after some more attempts to diagnose the problems with the diesel in my 82
>westy, I'm pretty sure I'm suffering from a blown head gasket. The coolant
>bubbles (a lot) when the engine gets hot, so much so that I can't bleed the
>system. Also I noticed a trace amount of oil in the coolant and continuous
>white smoke at idle. I thought the smoke was oil from worn rings, but after
>taking a trip through the archives I'm thinking it might be water. The final
>factor is that I have very low compression on 2 & 3 but not on 1 & 4. It's
>all kind of moot because I really want to put a new motor in the thing.
>Still, until that happens, it would be nice to have a running vehicle.
>
>So the question is: how can I tell in advance (without removing the gasket
>and looking at the notches or measuring the pistons,) which head gasket I
>need? I don't really have a place to leave half-dismembered vehicles, while
>I wait for the head gasket to arrive from busdepot or another shop.
>
>any help would be greatly appreciated,
>
>Matt
>
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