[Vwdiesel] More Ecodiesel

[Mary Beth and Chris Geiser]

Hey clatterers,
	After reading Nate's post after his re-ringing, I'm having
second thoughts on my upcoming engine project and would like some other
opinions...

	My '91 Ecodiesel - 200,000 miles - never had head off - Started
noticing oil in the coolant a while ago, running a little hotter, so I'm
planning on pulling the head, replacing the head gasket, probably having
the head re-done.

	I don't have a compression tester, so I don't know the exact
status of the rings, but it doesn't start like when it was new - this
winter had to crank a little when really cold, and my glow plugs are all
good.  Once running for a minute or two, it runs really well.  Mileage
has dipped a little in the last 6 months (42 vs 48 in past years), but
that could be head related too.  Uses a quart of oil in 2500 miles -
again just started that in the last 6 months.

My thought would be while the head is off, to hone it, re-ring it, and
go until compression dictates a rebuild.  What are people's experiences
with doing this - worth the effort, or did it not buy you enough time to
be worth it?  Re-ringing does not seem to be too bad an effort, but if
it doesn't accomplish much in the way of extra miles, I won't bother and
will just do the head for now and plan a rebuild sooner than later...

What are your thoughts / suggestions?  Sorry if this topic has been
addressed in the past - I vaguely recall this, but didn't pay close
enough attention.

Thanks in advance,
Chris