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Model specific boards => Golf mk1 => Topic started by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 14:33

Title: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 14:33
Bad news... I'm getting quite a bit of back pressure from my cabby and I'm guessing this means headgasket needs doing. How much should I expect to pay for this job? And anyone know any good garages in the north west? Thanks
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: yakuza racer on 11 April 2011, 14:55
if your headgasket is blown the first "tell-tale" signs is oil in your water and vice versa, using alot of water just to name the main suspects.

for a headgasket, it is fairly cheap and easy to do on a mk1...  :wink:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 16:41
dont think this is headgasket tbh its running well & pressure seems to have eased off recently  :cool:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: SoundillusioN on 11 April 2011, 16:50
I can't see any oil in the water and Havnt noticed any gunk under the oil cap but what else could cause such pressure  other than HG?
Thanks, Ryan.

I've had it once on my 1.5 cab.. My symptoms were similar to yours, no oil in water, no loss of water but I discovered I had a problem when a coolant hose burst, looked really old so I replaced it and that blew off!.. turned out I had small crack near a cylinder acrooss to a water channel so the engine was pressurising the system until something gave way!  To be honest it's really not too hard if you take you're time... couldn't recommend anywhere though sorry.  not taken a golf to a garage for a long time.

Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 18:09
Ahh cheers Shaun. Id like to do it myself but I have no experience in this area so if i screwed something up I'd be stuck. Plus I need my car for work so it needs to be done as quickly as possible really...
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: SoundillusioN on 11 April 2011, 18:32
Ahh cheers Shaun. Id like to do it myself but I have no experience in this area so if i screwed something up I'd be stuck. Plus I need my car for work so it needs to be done as quickly as possible really...

Ah, I forget it's a daily. 
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Sam on 11 April 2011, 19:32
You could do your head gasket in a weekend quite easily, you got any mates who are a little more mechanically minded than yourself? Between you you should be able to get it done  :smiley:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 20:19
You could do your head gasket in a weekend quite easily, you got any mates who are a little more mechanically minded than yourself? Between you you should be able to get it done  :smiley:

well no mates that i would trust under my bonnet haha but id like to give it a go myself
are there any guides around here?
do i need any special equipment? iv got all the standard tools

Thanks  :smiley:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Sam on 11 April 2011, 20:52
What engine is it? Sorry, not to clued up on M1s
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 20:56
ummmmm 1.8 with a webber carb
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Sam on 11 April 2011, 21:42
carb off, rocker cover off, exhaust manifold unbolted, mark up cam belt with tippex on all pullys, remove spleen bolts on head from the middle out and in diagonal opposites (these will need replacing) and then lift head (after unbolting whatever waterpipes and sensors are attached) make sure block and head is VERY clean, new gasket on and then drop the head on and replace everything in reverse order. Whilst at it do your cam belt and cam tensioner, also worth thinking about your waterpump too. Not even close to a comprehensive guide, just an idea to keep thinking through in your head. Makes alot more sense if you open your bonnet and read through.
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 11 April 2011, 21:59
carb off, rocker cover off, exhaust manifold unbolted, mark up cam belt with tippex on all pullys, remove spleen bolts on head from the middle out and in diagonal opposites (these will need replacing) and then lift head (after unbolting whatever waterpipes and sensors are attached) make sure block and head is VERY clean, new gasket on and then drop the head on and replace everything in reverse order. Whilst at it do your cam belt and cam tensioner, also worth thinking about your waterpump too. Not even close to a comprehensive guide, just an idea to keep thinking through in your head. Makes alot more sense if you open your bonnet and read through.

Thanks a bunch! I think i might tackle it myself, it sounds fairly straightforward and its all good fun  :grin:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Guy on 11 April 2011, 22:19
this
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=153601 (http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=153601)

and this
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4709&highlight=head+gasket+change (http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4709&highlight=head+gasket+change)

might be of some help  :undecided:


Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 12 April 2011, 18:27
so when i change the headgasket what else should i change at the same time?
water pump and cam belt?

Thanks
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: SoundillusioN on 12 April 2011, 22:26
so when i change the headgasket what else should i change at the same time?
water pump and cam belt?

Thanks

I'd take the opportunity to check the condition of the pump but I wouldn't just change it for the sake of it as it doesn't run off the cam belt and is easy to swap out if needed.   Fan belt (alternator & water pump belt) if it looks old would be good chance to stick a . new one on.  New cam belt and tensioner.  Can't think of anything else at the moment.  As said, once the head is off give everything a really good clean!
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 13 April 2011, 10:55
cool thanks
also where is a good place to get the bits and bobs i need for a decent price?
iv found them all on ebay but i was just wondering if i could get them cheaper anywhere?

Thanks again
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Guy on 13 April 2011, 12:25
cool thanks
also where is a good place to get the bits and bobs i need for a decent price?
iv found them all on ebay but i was just wondering if i could get them cheaper anywhere?

Thanks again

GSF?
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 13 April 2011, 13:24
Why have i need seen that website before?
its awesome
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: raferackstraw on 13 April 2011, 13:28
one other thing mate, once head is off you will need to check if has warped and get it skimmed as necessary, otherwise the new gasket will blow in no time
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Guy on 13 April 2011, 14:18
Why have i need seen that website before?
its awesome


if you join the mk1 owners club you'll get a membership card... it costs £15

as a member you get discount for mk1 bits and bobs from all over the place... all you have to do is show the card, its well worth it if you need parts etc  :wink:

eg. -10% at GSF, Car Hoods Northern, CQ's, Newton Commercial etc
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Sam on 13 April 2011, 18:55
Or join club gti and its only a tenner  :grin:
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: RyanVW on 13 April 2011, 19:01
one other thing mate, once head is off you will need to check if has warped and get it skimmed as necessary, otherwise the new gasket will blow in no time

will it be obvious if the head is warped?

Thanks
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: raferackstraw on 13 April 2011, 19:32
get a straight edge and lay it across head and then shine a torch beam at where the edge meets the head, from the opposite side to the torch see if you can see light thru where the edge is against the flat metal of the head, do this all across head. or take it to a good machine shop and get them to check n skim as neccessary
Title: Re: Headgasket!
Post by: Guy on 17 April 2011, 18:35
Or join club gti and its only a tenner  :grin:

yeah... but the mk1 OC I have found to be very useful  :drool: