Date:         Sat, 18 Jul 1998 20:35:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Gary Kovach <dearbo@EROLS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Kovach <dearbo@EROLS.COM>
Subject:      Head Gasket Project
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Well, I finally got the heads off of my 88Vanagon.  The heads didi not
look very bad - mild pitting which had been filled in with JBWeld by the
previous owner - held good for 88k miles!  The H2O leaking problem was
due to the gaskets which had dozens of holes in them. In the process of
removing the heads, I broke off 4 exhaust studs.  So, the heads are at a
local machine shop and this gives me time to do some detail work in the
engine compartment.

I replaced all of the fuel injector hose.  Use the high pressure type.
They were cracked and really needed to be replaced.  Paid about $40 for
10' of the high pressure line. I painted the engine flat black, and the
removable parts like the A/C compressor, PS pump, alternator and any
brackets - flat aluminum.  I'm going to replace the short sections of
heater hose and anything else that looks suspect.

Can the short section of hose on the end of the fuel injector be
replaced?  They seem to be crimped on.  Can the idle stabilizer valve be
taken apart to clean it or simply soaked in a solvent?

Gary
88GL   - Baltimore