[Vwdiesel] RE: Dropped Pre-combustion chamber insert

[Bart Wineland]

I hauled my engine around to every diesel mechanic and machine shop in the
area trying to see if I could get the plug seat cut out to a larger size to
install a larger plug so I could salvage the head.  No one would touch it,
except Jack Ewald said he has seen it happen (rarely) and had some success
getting the old plug welded back in and then machined down nicely. He said
it would be cheaper than a rebuilt head but at $250.00 not much. I decided
to buy a rebuilt engine for my car to get it going then watch for the parts
and put my old engine back together for a spare as parts became
available.  I did buy a hydraulic head off e-bay that I think looks good. I
still need a piston, the rod may be ok but I figure since it was hammered
on with the plug I want to replace it also. I did take a couple pictures of
the head and piston if anyone is interested in seeing what happens when a
plug comes out of it seat.  Pictures are not good but will give you an idea.

http://merlin.alleg.edu/employee/b/bwinelan/diesel/piston.JPG
http://merlin.alleg.edu/employee/b/bwinelan/diesel/head.JPG


I'm really grateful for all the help you folks have offered. I have much to
learn but it has been really interesting.

Bart



At 09:10 PM 11/24/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Bart:
>This same thing happened to me on my '82 Diesel Westy.  Yours is the only
>other
>example I have heard of (I've had people swear to me that the pre-chamber
>insert cannot physically come out when the head is on!).  I kept my mangled
>plug and piston as proof!
>
>Hayden sent me a used piston and I installed a Quantum TD head.  Fired up ok,
>but I've yet to finish other restoration and put Reinhardt on the
>road.  Maybe
>this year ...
>
>Maynard Southard  (OvO) '79
>'86 Double Cab Diesel "Col. Potter"
>'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"
>'82 Vanagon GL Diesel "Sluggo"
>'02 EV GLS "AMPvan"
>'93 EV GL "Klinger"
>'00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
>'84 Jetta GL TD "Donor"
>
>
>On Thursday, November 21, 2002 12:10 PM, bwinelan at allegheny.edu wrote:
> > ... When I bought the car the engine was shot and it turned
> > one of the pre-combustion plugs came out of its place at some time and
> > hammered itself into the top of the piston and egg shaped the original seat
> > it came out of so badly it trashed the head.