Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 16:36:29 -0600
Reply-To: Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Subject: Re: Wasserleaker Head Job - What am I getting myself in for
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
All the reference information that you need for this job is located on the
www.vanagon.com website, under the "problems" section.
See Boston Bob's article, located in that section for a complete run-down.
This should give you an idea of the scope of the job, as well as useful
insights.
(I have never done this job myself)
Hope this helps,
Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
>I am pretty much resigned to having to change head gaskets and possibly
>heads on my 1986 Vanagon - the alternate sources of leak proposed by
>list members appear to be dry. Fortunately, the drummer in my band is
>an ex-VW dealership mechanic and will, at a minimum, offer a second
>opinion as well as possibly help do the job should I decide to tackle it
>myself.
>
>Which brings me to the question - just how nasty a job is this! The
>book (Bentley) starts out by stating that this can be done with the
>engine in the car and then goes through a laundry list of stuff to
>remove including coolant pump, power steering pump and crankshaft
>pulley. The latter, covered in the dreaded group 13 requires a special
>tool. Also, once one gets the heads off, the book refers one to group
>13 for removal of the pistons and sleeves (one hopes inside the sleeves)
>to replace the seal on the other end of the sleeve. Alas, this step
>also requires special tools, at least according to Bentley.
>
>This all gives rise to yet more questions, particularily for the
>mechanically impared:
>
>1) Is this operation normally done without removing the engine?
>2) Is the degree of disassembly called out in Bentley really required
>(in particular removal of the pully)?
>3) What is the consequence of not replacing the cylendar sleeve seal
and
>just leaving the sleeves in place (or pushing them back in if they come
>out a bit before being seperated from the head)?
>4) Are there substitues for the various special tools called out?
>
>And, finally, the punchline:
>
>5) What can I expect to pay if I take it to the shop!
>
>Thanks to all the list members who responded to my original query on
>this subject! I guess it is time to either roll up my sleeves or pay
>the piper!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Art Beutler
>
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