"head on" gasket replacement question

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <35E25558.87A7D696@nh.ultranet.com> Huw Powell writes:

> When doing your much-documented head gasket replacement without pulling
> the manifolds, do you ever have any trouble with the old gasket not
> coming out clean or the surfaces not being good enough to proceed?

So far, I've only done this procedure twice - both times on WRs.  The
original gasket came out cleanly each time.  Really, you can't judge
the condition of the faces by looking into a 4mm gap.  Both sealed
OK, although both of the cars in question are what I would refer to
as "light use".  Neither is a daily driver.

I've just done my Passat's head gasket to cure an oil leak around #4
and #5.  I wanted to take a good look at the surfaces, so I did it
by the book and took the head off.

I would be tempted to be especially careful with a car using an oil
filter with a non-drainback valve.  Apparently head gaskets don't seal
well if there's much oil on the face(s) - I would suggest removing the
filter the night before in such a case, to allow the galleries to drain.

Complete aside - I might be celebrating 30 years of absence from the
rallying scene by returning to it.  It's been suggested that I might
like to wrench for a pair of A2s entering an historic rally next
year - 30 years after I last wrenched on the RAC in the UK.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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