Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:30:03 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix?
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2008082219341753@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Both of those internal compression leaks were due to the studs failing to
maintain tension. If the new heads were bad, they would have leaked
immediately. All of the internal leaks where the cylinder meets the heads
start out as head stud tension failure. Sometimes this can be corrected by
re-tourqing the heads but if the studs are stretching the problem will
return. Once the internal leak begins it will get worse as the gasket
begins to burn away from the gasses being forced past it. Just think, new
studs and nuts with that first replacement could have saved $5k.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Walter Houle
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 7:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix?
Robert -
Having been thru a couple of head swaps in the past, I went through my
records to see what could be learned.
The original heads lasted approx. 8 years and 100,000 miles. They corroded
at the water gasket and leaked coolant. I then purchased a set of new
heads and installed them myself. Total cost for the parts was $1,000. They
lasted 3 years and 32,000 miles. Then, they failed due to a compression
leak that pressurized the cooling system and caused overheating. A local
mechanic told me they failed because they were of poor quality & fit and
recommended a different brand. If my memory serves me right the 1st set of
replacement heads were made in Spain, and the 2nd set he recommended were
from Germany. So, I hired him to install the German heads. Total cost was
$1,900. These heads worked fine for another 2 yrs 9 months and 22,000
miles before they too failed with another compression leak. At this point,
I decided to have a factory rebuilt engine installed. This cost $3,300,
but it has gone 10 years and 50,000 miles and it is still going strong.
Also, FWIW, the factory motor was found to have a leaky head when it was
first fired up, a tiny pin hole sized leak near the exhaust flange. VW
warrantied it, and it was replaced by a local dealership free of charge
after about a two month wait.
So, my replacement heads weren't exactly cheap, but they did buy me a few
years each time. The engine swap cost more, but it did come with a
warranty and it has proven to be very reliable. If I had known about this
list 10 to 12 years ago I'm sure I would have done things differently.
Whatever you decide, go with experience, either in the advice from the
list or with an experienced mechanic, and only use known quality parts.
Walter
85 Vanagon
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