[Vwdiesel] head is off!

[Pam & Doug Boes]

Got the head off today w/o much problems. Didn't undo the doughnut, but
removed the intake and exhaust manifolds prior to removing the head stud
nuts. I think because of the doughnut downpipe, I was able to swing the
exhaust manifold back enough to clear the manifold studs that didn't come
out. No engine tilting required.

The only troubles I had were the glow plug connector breaking off and the
straight lift to clear the head studs. Apparently, since this is an A1, the
shroud at the front of the engine doesn't go around the tensioner stud. So,
I had a clear shot at the head-to-block interface when it came time to pry
the head loose. Coming up straight is critical. I tried working end-to-end
and just bound it up on the studs. When I got it moving and got it crooked,
I had my trusty assistant tap the end that was too high with the rubber
mallet while I kept lifting. Off to the machine shop tomorrow to check
flatness. I put a level across the head and it looks bowed right where the
coolant connection comes out the front (toward the front of the Caddy) of
the head.

I broke the glow plug connector while freeing up the head. The nut seemed
fused to the top of the glow plug. I destroyed the #4 glowplug but
eventually got the bus bar off. The connector was housed in a huge rubber
end. Is this some special type of connector? The contact end was a full
circle type (must go on the glowplug with the nut off). The red wire comes
out of a harness. Is the other end of this wire at the fuse block on the
firewall?