[Vwdiesel] Engine hints --- (from a hillbilly point of view.)

[Gavrik Peterson]

Hagar,

Looks like you wake up early.

Thanks for the input on the re-ringing and rod bearings question.

The reason that I need a new head gasket is that it appears that
combustion products are leaking into the coolant system.  I described
my reasons for suspecting this in my first post to this list, which
had "New Diesel Guy With a Problem" on the subject line.  I reproduce
the relevant part below:

>Some time ago I noticed that it was using coolant.  I expected to
>find a leak but found nothing.  Then I noticed that if the engine
>was warmed up, I could hear venting from the cap on the expansion
>tank.  I also noticed that when I squeezed the radiator hoses,
>they seemed to be under higher pressure then normal.

>Next I checked the venting pressure of the cap.  It appeared to
>be within spec.  Motivated by guilt, I proceeded to change the
>coolant.  When doing this I like to clean the residue that coats
>the bottom of the expansion tank.  Normally I find residue that
>is brown in color.  This time the residue was black.  Changing
>the coolant made no difference.

It is not accurate to describe myself as a 'new' to the diesel
business.  It's just that I have been a mail list lurker for two years
and am finally motivated to start posting.  The 'problem' part is
entirely accurate.

You asked about the Rabbit.  It's a naturally aspirated 84' engine in
a 83' body with two notches on the head gasket.  It was wrecked while
parked on the street in front of my place (it became a federal case --
long story).  After sitting in a garage for two years, I transferred
the engine into a 83' Rabbit that I bought for $400.

So the history of my Rabbit is:  Bought it at 39k miles.  It was
wrecked at about 80k miles.  After replacing the body I have put on
90k miles for a total of 170k miles on the engine.

You also asked about the injection pump.  I am not sure how to read
the numbers, so below I reproduce everything I see on the front of the
pump:

    BR. 0 0460 494 130
      VE R 136
           068 130 109
    015 531      22845

    * the pump has a blue dot

The Rabbit has been loosing coolant for months now.  The rate has been
quite slow and I have not seen anything that would suggest that
coolant is getting into a cylinder or the oil.  It makes me wonder if
the leak only exists when the cylinder pressure is high.  If this was
the case significant amounts of coolant might be prevented from
entering the cylinder.  Is this possible?  Am I nuts?

The problem that I have is that this is my only automobile.  At least
live in town and am close to parts and tools.

This weekend I plan to check the compression and if I can get some
air, do a leak-down test.  I might also remove the coolant and
pressurizes the cooling system to see if that tells me anything.

I will download the list archive.


  --  Gavrik


On Fri, 8 Aug 2003 13:05:46 -0700, you wrote:

>This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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>Now  Gavrik Peterson  it not for me to tell you what to do , there are far more experienced fellas here . Val Christian probably owned the first diesel VW in America.  But here is what I did.   With head of  level all pistons. Then pour a measured amount of thin oil (fuel will do) in the cylinders and see how fast it disappears down to sump. The last one I did # 3 was sitting there for days. Compare cylinders and write down, so you can find it next time you do compression check.It gives you one more clue with little effort.   By the way the machinist is right in Seattle it makes no sense to put old rod bearings back in with that kind of mileage.    ---Re ringing turns out great if done right. --if you have the money do it.  Out here in the backwoods we do what we have to do to get going.   The bores seem to go a long long way on diesels due to lubing from fuel.     Gasoline is murder on some engines in that department so do not compare mileage that way, to a gas job..     Have fun
>Hagar.
>
>PS: tell us why you are installing new gasket ?