My 1600 kombi was make strange squeak noises when changing engine load. The noise come from passenger side.
I drove from Brisbane to Gympie 2.5 hours 150km.
When I got to Gympie I removed the valve cover. 3 studs out of the 4 I can see are loose, real loose.
Tightening them down just lifts the stud. Using two bolts together I can tighten move the studs back down, but they are easy to turn with an open spanner. Anyways I nip the nuts back up but there is not much tighness before the stud turns. It drives for about 500 meters - 1 K before the head is rattling, and the 3 are loose again.
What to do? I think not try and drive back to Brisbane.
Anyone know a VW mechanic in Gympie?
Can studs be tightened at the case end once I got the engine out?
Cheers, Carl.

I would just take it to a mechanic and get it sorted once and for all.

it sound like you have pulled 3 studs. from what i understand you may have to pull the engine and get helicoils put in the case. somebody with more experince should be able to provide more info.

I used self-tappeers in a t3 once, the engine case was fatigued, and i had no options at the time. 5 studs (3 on 1 side and 2 the other) were replaced with self-tapping studs. Just replaced the studs with engine in tact! Thess got me from Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne then Brisbane in one go, and a shit load of k's after that with no problem. I think you'd be sacrificing the case in the long run but if it gets you out of a spot it might be worth a thought! Just keep on top of valve adjustments! I got them from ye sadly departed Volksrestore 10 years ago, so they should be available!?

Good Luck!!:duh