Date:         Tue, 30 Mar 1999 22:25:30 -0800
Reply-To:     John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Organization: John Scheckel Architect
Subject:      Re: unpleasant surprise
Comments: To: Rick Koller <rkoller@HELIX.NIH.GOV>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Rick Koller wrote:
>
> Hi vanagonians,
>         Here's a new one for the List (at least I havn't heard of this particular
> problem before!) I'm helping a friend with getting her '85 westie back on
> the road. Origially we thought she needed a new engine based on the
> recommendation of her regular mechanic. I extracted the engine and took a
> good look at it and decided that it probably only needed head gaskets and
> JB Weld. I gathered all the parts etc for the project and have reassembled
> the engine but not reinstalled it at this point. I used a new tube of OEM
> VW head gasket sealant from a dealer on the rubber gasket. I have noticed
> that the stuff has not set up and become dry and flexible after 3 days. I
> also tested it on another surface exposed to the air overnight indoors, it
> was still was wet and runny. I believe that this sealant was too old and
> now I have to disassemble and reseal the heads again :=( . Hopefully I can
> clean this bad stuff off the gaskets and reuse them. I was thinking of
> using alcohol to clean off this sealant. What do you all think?  Thanks.
>
> Rick Koller
> '90 syncro-westie
> '91 auto box
benzine may be a better choice for a cleaning agent.

good luck. John S