Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 11:09:54 -0700
Reply-To: marcus <marcus46@FREEWWWEB.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: marcus <marcus46@FREEWWWEB.COM>
Subject: Re: Whining about head gaskets
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Your logic is right on and thats what I would do. But my question here is why
leak at only 4000 miles?? I think I would have po on one side of engine and the
orginal mechanic on other and I would start screwing their heads down until I
got some answers.
Bryan Feddish wrote:
> O.K., I return back to my original statement. With $219 for a rebuilt
> head, I see no reason not to replace them if the old head is coming off
> anyway. If I were paying a mechanic to do the job, I would DEFINITELY
> spend the extra $219 bucks. This is like not replacing a clutch with 100K
> miles on it when the tranny is out for some other repair.
>
> Bryan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Bus Depot [SMTP:ron@NETCARRIER.COM]
> Sent: Monday, June 22, 1998 6:51 AM
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Whining about head gaskets
>
> > New heads would cost about another $1200...
>
> > Ouch. I didn't think they were that expensive, I thought you
> > could get them for $300 a piece.
>
> Actually they're not quite that expensive. I list brand new 2.1L heads for
> $399 each, or rebuilt 1.9's or 2.1's for $219 each plus $80 core. The new
> heads are made by AMC/Spain (who, incidentally, is now the supplier of new
> 2.1L heads to Volkswagen Of America, so if you order new heads from the
> Dealer you get the same AMC heads). The rebuilt heads are AVP, and have
> new
> metal welded to the surface and machined back to spec. Complete German
> engine gasket kits (including everything for both heads plus bottom-end
> gaskets and the sealant) are $129.
>
> That said, you may not need to automatically replace heads when doing a
> head
> gasket job. You can take a look at the pitting and decide from there. If
> the pits are small and do not extend across the surface of the head, you
> have a good chance of being able to re-use the heads. I have taken this
> chance a number of times on various Vanagons where the pitting was not
> severe, and have had good luck every single time. But of course the stakes
> are high; if they do leak, you'll have to get the job done all over again.
>
> Do you feel lucky? :-)
>
> - Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot
> http://www.busdepot.com
> (215) 234-VWVW
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