Re: VW Cabriolet Rabbit -- H2O Pump vs. Head Gasket

["Richard Haroutunian" <Richard_Haroutunian@inso.com>]

David:

I took your advice -- and the advice of others and purchase a gasket set
from WolfSport over the weekend and set out to do this project once and for
all.  --- FYI for those who are listening, but who don't know -- I think I
blew a headgasket in my '82 VW Cabrio while at the Mt. Washington Rally.

Anyway.  I get to the car and pull the plugs to see which ones) went
'swimming' in the muck -- as I was told.  Nothing. Each plug looked fine --
normal even. I consulted the Bentley I just bought -- and it says nothing
re: diagnosing the problem.  Again, no visible leaks on the head or around
the gasket seal part where the head is attached.

The fluid was pouring out from what appeared to be 'under' the timing belt
cover -- to the left.  The liquid was rusty-darkish red colored -- and
appeared to 'fee' oily, but looking back -- it was too reddish to be
synthetic oil -- even if it was watered down.  So, I checked the oil -- it
was fine -- and near full!  This is amazing because there was SO MUCH
liquid that cam out of that car!

So.  The oil's fine -- and at the level it should be.  The plugs are fine
-- and look the way they should.  The 'leak' appeared to be coming from the
bottom left, under the timing belt -- where the water pump is.

My question is this:  Is there any test I can do (or tests, plural --
preferably)  to figure out what the problem really is?

I have tools, but I don't have anything to test the pressure - Is there any
simple way to figure out whether it's the head gasket or the H2O pump... Or
both??

I really don't want to take this into the shop -- I want to try and fix it
on my own, I just want to make sure I'm fixing the right problem.

Thanks in advance (again) for your help!

Richard
87 5KCS TQ
85 4KSQ
82 VW Cabrio