Head Gasket- i have searched! honest!

[bowds]

hi guys, just got my car back from the garage today and unfortunatly the head gasket has gone  i've searched through most of the threads and cant seem to find a definitive list of what parts i'd need and what tools i need if i was to fix this myself. was wondering if anyone who's done one before or knows how to do it, could just jot down a list of all the parts i need an all the tools i need if i was to fix it myself.

cheers for looking

bowds

[...joe]

8 or 16v?

if 8v get the mk3 rubber rocker cover gasket and the associated studs. do a search the part number is on here somewhere and will cost you about £11 from VW. you might as well replace this as the sh!tty cork one will probably split when you take the rocker cover off.

rocker cover gasket
head gasket
headbolts
oil and filter
coolant

you might also need the odd nut/stud for the downpipe to manifold as they are often buggered by the time you get them off.

tool wise,

star bit for headbolts
10,13,15,17mm spanners and sockets
torque wrench
wd40 type spray
err thats all i can think of, you probably will end up with a bunch of extra tools but thats what you really need.

[Conker]

I think you can get all (or at least most) of the gasket parts joe listed as a "head gasket kit" from ecp/gsf. Apparently its saves a bit of cash if you buy the whole kit.

[bowds]

yeah it's an 8v, much appreciated mate going to give this a go in a couple of weekends, got to keep the mk2's on the road!

thanks for the heads up on the part kit too, will save some searching

bowds

[...joe]

I think you can get all (or at least most) of the gasket parts joe listed as a "head gasket kit" from ecp/gsf. Apparently its saves a bit of cash if you buy the whole kit.

they are cheaper but still use the wanky cork gasket.

[mattneck(Beavis)]

Bowds - might be able to supply a kit from work from Elring.

Elring are the OE suppliers to Volkswagen, so these are the top quality kits, only difference is the branding logos 

[bowds]

How much do you reckon it will cost? Will prob be doing it the weekend after new year, as i have no hope of finding a free weekend till then with work an everything. definitely interested

bowds

[benji mk2]

Just finished doin the head on the wifes driver!  got a head set from euro (about £30) and some new bolts (about £18). Got it skimmed up and totally rebuilt the head this morning. Needed an M12 spline bit for the head bolts. Got stem seals and every single gasket with the set. Wasnt to bad of a job really. Managed to do it without splitting the exhaust downpipe/manifold. Just took the exhaust manifold straight off the head. Makes things a bit more difficult but saves the hassle of spltting the c clamps!!!!  Just gotta find out where a couple of things go onto the carb then all done! Had it running tho, just a tad rough, hopefully due to the carb connections not being spot on!!!  


Good luck and just take ur time! Took me about 4-5 hours to refit everything incl a few small issues  

[bowds]

thanks very much for the tips, really appreciated. any tips are welcome really like the car so would much rather have a crack at this then scrap or get rid of the car.
you havent got a link for the set you bought have you? make sure i get the right one lol

cheers for all the replys guys

bowds

[benji mk2]

what spec is the car?? One i got was for a 1.8 carb driver. The euro car parts site is pretty good but if u phone em with ur reg they'll make sure u get the right set!!! Another good tip is to make sure the holes in the block for the head bolts are nice and clean, no oil or water in em etc...