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Date:         Mon, 17 Mar 2003 18:19:48 -0500
Reply-To:     Mark Vermillion <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Vermillion <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      repeatedly blowing head gasket-what I found
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


What I found-


The pits in the water jacket are minimal. Perhaps 1/4 of the width of the
jacket, and not engaging the edge. The studs go two ways: The four on the
top are corroded. Only one of the lower group is. One of the lower studs
appears to have rotated deeper into the case than the other three by about
3mm, or maybe those other three came out with the nuts. Or maybe they're
stretched, but that seems extreme. Regardless, the three that are farther
out will not go in any more.


Anyone still follow this?


I gather that I'll need to replace the corroded studs and nuts, but could
this really cause what I've seen?


Thanks for the patience and all the suggestions,
Mark




----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Vermillion" <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 4:43 PM
Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket




> I'll pull it apart tonight (again) and see what I find. I don't think the
> head is too bad, really.They're pitted, but with the JB Weld repairs, they
> look pretty OK. The damage to the gaskets look like it's coming from the
> water jacket side, from what I can tell.
>
> I haven't really inspected the studs, but will tonight.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "gary hradek" <hradek@yahoo.com>
> To: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> Cc: <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 3:22 PM
> Subject: repeatedly blowing head gasket
>
>
> > Mark and Ken,
> >             I would give some serious thought before
> > putting in still another head gasket.   I think the
> > speed of the failure suggests a problem that may be
> > beyond the capacity of even jb weld.   Minor pitting
> > should not fail so soon.   Maybe Mark can provide a
> > picture of his head at some point.   Mark, I admire
> > your efforts and the ability to stick with it.   It
> > just might be time to toss in the towel on this head.
> >            regards gary
> > Date:    Mon, 17 Mar 2003 08:18:01 -0500
> > From:    Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
> > Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket
> >
> > This is headgasket replacement 101.  You MUST repair
> > the pits in the
> > case sealing surface before you put on the new head
> > gasket.  I use JB
> > Weld.  Clean the pitted area with brake cleaner and
> > some sand paper.
> > Fill in the pits with JB Weld and let it cure
> > overnight. The next day
> > sand it smooth and back down to the same level as the
> > aluminum case.
> > While you are at it, feel around on the case lip
> > (where the headgasket
> > sits) and see if you feel any sharp spots.  Sand these
> > a little to
> > smooth them out.  This should fix your problem.  (need
> > me to send
> > another gasket?)
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ken Wilford
> > John 3:16
> > http://www.vanagain.com
> > Phone: 856-327-4936
> > Fax: 856-327-2242
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Mark Vermillion <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
> > Date: Sunday, March 16, 2003 4:23 pm
> > Subject: repeatedly blowing head gasket
> >
> > > All-
> > >
> > > I have a 87' GL that has a recurrent problem with
> > the pass. side
> > > head gasket. Problem is, it won't stay intact. I
> > just replaced it
> > > for the fourth time, and got approximately 5 miles
> > out of it. This
> > > is the "short" record. The previous gasket went 5k
> > miles. The one
> > > before that was good for 500. I don't remeber how
> > far the first
> > > went.
> > >
> > > The gaskets are splitting from what would appear to
> > be the back,
> > > or water jacket side. They happen on the same corner
> > each time:
> > > lower rear. There is some pitting on the water
> > jacket in this
> > > area, but it not the only area with pits. I tried
> > putting a little
> > > sealant to fill the pits... maybe that wasn't such a
> > good idea.
> > >
> > > Anyway, any advice or comments would be appreciated.
> > I'm about
> > > ready to push the thing into the Susquehanna.
> > >
> > >
> > > Mark
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
> > http://platinum.yahoo.com
> >
>
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