Fearing the worst

[jb9999 0]

Is changing the head gasket a straight forward head off,head back on job,or is it more complicated? Do you have to take the gearbox out as well for access to the upper timing chain? Changed the header tank valve and still losing coolant. Got it booked in on Saturday to be tested, just need a rough idea of how big a job it is so I can start an argument over how much labour they charge.Bandits.Always look on the bright side of life? !sad ~

[jayvwvr6 0]

i had my chains and clutch done last year but i didnt do iy myself that cost me £800,i believe if your just taking the head of the gearbox dont need droping but you will have to hold the chains up while the heads of to stop it dropping of the spoket.get your compression test done as water leaks for many places,waterpump,thermo housing,coolant pipes,any trace of oil mixing with water?dip stick,filler cap?

[jb9999 0]

Thanks for that tip about the chains jay will pass it on to whoever does the head, if its the head. There's no signs of mixing on the dipstick, the coolant in header is still blue.There was a small amount of dark brown gunge on the filler cap but I put that down to the previous owner mainly using it for short inner city journeys. What colour would the gunge be if its the head gasket? Also can't see any obvious signs of leakage from the engine or hoses apart from under the header tank were it drips out of the overflow, but hasn't been overfilled! Used it for work other day and coolant in the middle of min and max and when i checked it next day it was bout 10 mill under the min after just under 30 mile round trip, sso not pouring out.

[jayvwvr6 0]

water mixing with oil will give a white mayonaise apearance,if you do get head done or dont give your water system a good flush through and get rid of that blue collant and replace it with vw g12+ its pink in colour,much better on the engine,dont forget when your engines warm and under pressure the coolant level will be lower as its pressurised mate,a couple of members including myself have noticed the header tank throwing out a bit of water,ive replaced cap and still does it?someone said its the way the vw designed the system?so your not on your own with that one.

[jb9999 0]

Cheers Jay.If its not the head think I'll try what you say and flush and change the coolant. Might also change the thermostat as well. Saw a one on a website that opened up sooner, about 160deg F,to drop the engine temperature and see if that makes a difference to the coolant coming out of the overflow.If it's not the head gasket that is.

[stockers 1]

the gunk on the filler cap ,if its brown,could be something as simple as dirty oil that doesn't get changed often enough