NG with blown head gasket...how long can it run like that?

[Kurt Deschler]

Dave,

A head gasket only costs around $25. If you can slip the TB off and the 
old gasket comes off relatively clean, You can slip a new gasket in and 
possibly have something reliable with little time. If you choose to do 
nothing, at least leave the coolant system open to the atmosphere. OW you 
may blow apart the radiator. You can also buy sealant for blown head 
gaskets that you add to you antifreeze, but I have never tried them.

 	-Kurt

> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:12:48 -0500
> From: "David Ullrich" <david.ullrich at gmail.com>
> Subject: NG with blown head gasket...how long can it run like that?
> To: Q-list <quattro at audifans.com>
> Message-ID:
> 	<f4c312c80701161712i1cd044dbmd4398c5b29bec246 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Hey all,
>
> As I mentioned a while back, I am going to do the BABE Rally in May and am
> in search of a car. I have found a 1988 80q  for sale that just might fit
> the bill. But, and this might be a big but...it apparently has a blown head
> gasket. It blows white smoke and uses a bit of coolant. My question...how
> long can a NG take that kind of abuse (being run/driven with a bad head
> gasket)? No sign of fluid mixing (like no oil in the coolant and no coolant
> in the oil) according to the current owner. The reason I ask is I would just
> run as is and not try to mess with it. I would barely be able to get the car
> for the max I am allowed to spend on my "race car" so doing mechanical
> repairs wont likely be possible (unless somebody local is willing to donate
> the labor and I buy the gasket, I'm a terrible wrench and wouldn't even try
> to do it myself). SO, anyone care to chime in on the idea of running an NG
> with a bad head gasket? Suicide? Car needs to make it from where it is
> bought, to Baltimore MD (or Norfolk VA) then in May from there up to NYC May
> and down to New Orleans.
>
> TIA,
>
> Dave
> 87 CGT 2.3