[Vwdiesel] More newbie ?s

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

  Failure is similar to gas only tends to be more likely to happen.  :(
  The head gasket is almost guaranteed to blow on an overheat.  The next
thing to happen is the head warps.  They are almost always surfaceable
regardless of the "do not resurface" warnings.  In a severe overheat they
have been known to crack but it's not a "common" problem.  Lastly with
enough heat/continued driving.  The pistons will swell and gall (sp).  If
they are bad enough they can score the cylinder walls and you'll have an
oil user.  :(  Slight galling can be sanded off and the piston will still be
useable.  Don't recall ever seeing a block cracked from overheating, Only
from reinstalling the head!
  Depends on your ability and how much you want to rebuild the head as to
if you want to bid on another one.  Consider Raceware head studs for your
budget too.  They must be close to $200 by now.  :O
     Loren