Date:         Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:54:21 -0400
Reply-To:     dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Replaced heads, now water in oil
Comments: To: Bill Collins <wb6otg@INTREX.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <200509230725.AA2881093858@intrex.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Did you put sealant on the flanges of the head nuts? Water can also seep here. One of the nuts may not be torqued properly. If you filled the nuts with sealant, then they did not torque down properly. Also, the nuts should not be reused. The o-rings rarely cause a problem although I recommend replacing them when the heads are pulled. Like any gasket, after they are compressed, reusing them is risky.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Collins <wb6otg@INTREX.NET>
Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 7:25 am
Subject: Replaced heads, now water in oil

> I just finished replacing the heads on my '84 1.9l.  It started up
> ok and idled fine, then the oil pressure light started to flicker.
> I checked the dipstick and found signs of water in the oil.
>
> I assume that I disturbed one or more of the o-rings at the bottom
> of the cylinders, but I'd like to hear about anything else that
> could cause this.
>
> Is there any way to figure out which side the problem is on, so I
> don't have to take both sides apart?
>
> Can I slide new o-rings on over the cylinders, or do I have to
> remove the cylinders to fix this?  Argh, it's not fun putting the
> cylinders back on with the engine in the van!
>
> Thanks for any ideas you have.
>
> Bill
>