Head Gasket

[carloscdt]

8V GTI DFant 1987

Just had the head gasket blow.
Someone has suggested
the head will need skimming.
Is this correct or can a new gasket just be fitted.

Cheers

Carlso

[G6dub]

 :'(  Oh dear I know this feeling too well.

Yes get the head off and get it skimmed, you should find someone to do it for about ?35, if you don't do it and just put a new gasket on it might all just be a waist of time and it could go again pretty quick it is worth doing.

[carloscdt]

Cheers,

have been quoted ?150 to change gasket
but they didn't say,and I didn't ask about
skimming it.
Do you think this price would include it?

[golfvr6]

In a word, no.
Getting the head skimmed as well will be expensive as you will need to get all valves removed.
It is not always necessary to skim the head, if it is not warped or damaged then a new gasket/bolts will be all that is required.

[frankerooney]

I didn't have to get the valves removed on my 8v head when I had it done about 3 weeks ago, - the valves are recessed into the head by about 15-20mm. Mine's a '90 model though- don't know if they are different. I Had to remove the camshaft though.

Skim cost me ?18. Pressure test was extra, but you'd probably only need that if it overheated or only blew/lost coolant when it was warmed up - cracks tend to expand with the heat apparently. ?150 isn't bad, but make sure they use genuine bits, especially for the gasket - if you want it to last. At that price they could well be cutting corners by giving you a pattern gasket costing about ?8 - I bought one of these and you can see the difference in quality.

What about doing the job yourself? Not too hard..

Cheers

[carloscdt]

Thanks For The Advice People.

I have confidence in the garage, they have always been upfront and offered cheap and expensive fixes.
In the past they could have quite easily done me for another clutch when the gear box broke but suggested that after being cleaned it would 'bed in' again after 2-3 weeks...
and they were bang on.
Car didn,t lose any coolant and there appears to be no mix of oil and water. Had to drive they car quite a bit to get back home but the water temp and oil temp remained as normal so I'll probably go for cheap fix... (Will I pay the price???)
Would love to have a go myself but between work,kids,anniversary weekend i haven't got a chance.

[G6dub]

same here on the 16v the valves didn't have to come out.

When mine went I lost all my water, but the oil hasn't got water in it so that is a good sign.

When they do get the head off they will be able to see if there is any more  damage

[golfvr6]

Ah ha, i was probably thinking of this :-

[frankerooney]

What's that then? Off a '6? Dunno if that'd fit in their milling machine!

[golfvr6]

Yeah thats the head off my vr6, won't be able to skim that without stripping it