[V6-12v] Head gasket replacement

[Kent McLean]

Eyvind E. Spangen wrote:
> I think I have to replace the head gaskets on my '92 100 soon. Oil is
> leaking more and more, coolant is disappearing faster and faster and I think
> the car misses slightly, at least when idling. In addition, I have lots of
> white smoke in the exhaust in cold weather, more than normal.

This sounds real familiar.  About a year ago, my '94 100S V6 would trip 
the coolant warning display about every 6 months, at which point I would 
re-fill the overflow tank. Now I get the warning about once a week.

> The timing belt was replaced two years ago, so I don't need to do this
> again. Anyone BTDT doing a head gasket without removing the cam pulleys from
> the heads, just marking the timing belt on the pulleys and putting it back
> together? Anything special to look out for?

I don't know. I was waiting for warmer weather so I could do a t-belt 
and water pump. Now I'm thinking I might not make it if I don't tackle 
my head gasket problem sooner. It was 0 degrees F this morning (in NH, 
USA), and I don't have a garage to work in, so I'm pushing it off some 
more.  I hope I don't regret it.

> At least, I don't complain when the head gaskets held up almost 300k miles
> on an engine that's known for leaky head gaskets.. :)

Mine has only 165K miles on it. I *was* thinking t-belt and water pump 
in the Spring. *Now* I'm thinking t-belt, water pump, and head gaskets. 
Of course, it's also has me thinking "new" old Audi. :)

-- 
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke