Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1998 13:33:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@MTWP.K12.PA.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@MTWP.K12.PA.US>
Subject:      Can I do my own head gasket replacement?
Comments: To: Vanagon List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello All,

Having replaced the fuel injection and various other parts on my old '76
Westy, and replacing various parts on my '87 Westy, but _never_ having
rebuilt an engine or replaced heads, how difficult would it be for me to
attempt my own head gasket repair?

Assume I have an excellent torque wrench and various normal tools, a
level driveway,  and plenty of time. And a Bentley manual. Also assume I
don't like the idea of the sealer you put in you antifreeze (I just feel
funny about that--does it really work, or would I be gunking up the
system?)

I also have the occasional help of an ex-VW mechanic who is an expert on
Jetta/Golfs, but hasn't worked on Vanagons.

What do you think?

--Dave

PS--My heads were new 30K ago, and I've had the coolant purged and
changed 2-3 times since then (one time was not a full change), so I
believe the heads themselves are OK (in fact, I'm still angry at VW that
I've developed a problem at all).