[Vwdiesel] Head Cracked between valves...Seeking Advice (fwd)

[82 Diesel Westy]

Doyt, the cracks you see between the valves DID NOT
cause this problem.  Peen them over and sand.

Big question here, how many miles are on this block
and head, if like 200K, now would be a good time for
some upgrades.  If it has been rebuilt and all was
running good before, do the following.

Since the head is off, look for a coolant path in the
head gasket.  A place where the oil is getting to the
coolant holes, you should be able to see this.  This
is only a cause and effect thing, you need a new
gasget, make sure you get the same thinkness, 2 notch
or 3.
You can also pressure test your oil cooler as well to
rule out any leaks inside of it between coolant coils
and oil space.

All is not lost.

Bryan, NJ


--- Val Christian <val at mongo.mongobird.com> wrote:
> Before trashing the head, I would pressure test it. 
> Intravalve 
> cracks are ubiquitous on VW diesel heads.  Many of
> us peen them 
> over.  I've used low temp al solder on them (to seal
> them, can't 
> say how well it worked, because I never had to take
> that head off).
> 
> You could just have a bad head gasket seal (how did
> the gasket look anyway?),
> and common cracks.  Or you could have the kiss of
> death. More data needed
> to tell.  The pressure test is the next diagnostic
> test.
> 
> Val
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > 
> > I took my  85 Jetta TD (which I have owned for 17
> years) to the shop 
> > yesterday because oil was appearing in the
> coolant. My mechanic took the 
> > head off and found deep cracks between each intake
> and exhaust valve. 
> > Purpose of this email is to verify first that this
> is serious and fatal, 
> > and that the only solution is to replace the head.
> > 
> > Any input/BTDT is welcome. The car is sitting in
> the shop with the head 
> > off. Mechanic sees it as fatal flaw and suggested
> I publish this email and 
> > ask for responses from the deeply experienced
> diesel community. Over the 
> > years, he and I have benefited greatly each time
> we asked for advice. He 
> > works on TD Benz's and Ferraris and Rolls Royces
> and Porches and MG's etc, 
> > but I'm the only TD Jetta in his flock. He has the
> best reputation for 50 
> > miles in every direction, and he takes care of all
> the exotics in our 
> > area....but nobody knows diesels like you people.
> > 
> > Assuming the head is toast.....It is a rare-bird
> TD, so can I use a head 
> > from a NA 1.5? The head from a 1.6?  1.9?   No
> telling what will be 
> > available when I start looking, so I want to
> narrow the suitability 
> > field.  My mechanic has a complete 4 cyl NA diesel
> engine from an 
> > early-80's Audi sitting on his shop floor. I'll
> get the engine number and 
> > specifics. It came from a in-line power train
> rather than the side-to-side 
> > mounting in my Jetta. Would the in-line engine
> rotate in the same direction?
> > 
> > Waiting for the wisdom of
> experience...................
> > 
> > 
> > Doyt Echelberger
> > Ohio, USA
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > 
> 
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