Date:         Sat, 3 May 2014 08:53:06 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 'Nother Head Gasket Question
Comments: To: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1678635796.1429687.1399038890024.JavaMail.root@sz0063a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

On connections of this type the ultimate goal is thorough metal to metal contact to maintain the required pressure on the head to keep it pressed on the cylinder. Yes that sealant which also acts as a lubricant while the head is being torqued down will get squeezed out except for any voids in the head or nut flange. If there is not any sign of cracked head then most likely the stud is bad and when heated lost pressure enough for it to leak. This also means the head is loosening. I have seen the studs stretch to the point that the cap nut will bottom out. As a test, test fit the head with no gaskets, inner or outer. Run the nut down. Any that can’t grab the head without the gasket have seriously failed. If you have more one on a side replace them all. Same if you know the engine was seriously over heated. Except for cracked heads, all internal combustion leaks the develop over time are the result of improper installation of the studs failing. All!

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of J Stewart
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 9:55 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 'Nother Head Gasket Question

OK, pulled the right head again (Background: right side head gasket finally blew after 10 years of minor dripping. Replaced head gasket and reinstalled using original VW head, which I've since found out wasn't a good idea since they are prone to cracking. After replacing I drove the van approx 300 miles and no issues. Then on the way to Everybus it started leaking coolant. Couldn't see where at first, but on the way home it became obvious, it was leaking around the front, top head nut, the one closest to the front exhaust port) On dis-assembly this time, I found little, if any, traces of the yellow sealant I used on each head nut (the stuff that came in the kit). It's as though I hadn't used any at all. I had put a bead of it all the way around the base of each nut. Am I missing something? Thanks, Jeff




Jeff Stewart