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head gasket 2.1
Southern Van - August 19th, 2006 at 08:11 PM

Is there any rubber 0 rings or any rubber with the head gasket kit? My motor in my syncro camper was rebuilt by the last owner but I have started to use fluid, it is coming out by the right hand head.Is it possible that the wrong fluid has been used and has rotted the rubber thingys? The heads would not have corroded in 18 months would they.

greedy53 - August 20th, 2006 at 05:50 PM

right hand nead is that the drivers side head aand yes 18 months is possable not likely what is the addertive used and if its the passengers side it could be the water pump or the oil cooler these are prone to leak

[ Edited on 20-8-2006 by greedy53 ]

Kombi_Rescue - August 20th, 2006 at 07:19 PM

18 months sounds a little too short a time for the head gasket to fail......is the leak around the rubber seal or more near the spark plug hole/upper stud hole?..if its the klatter the head may of cracked..what grade petrol do u use? all 2.1 T3's should use premium at the very least...this keeps cyl head temps down and will reduce the chance of head cracks at stud holes and s/plug region.Has your engine ever o/heated?....once a T3 donk has got very hot it worth to retension the head studs ..VW revised the torque settings to 50nm many w/shop manuals are not up to date on these facts hope it sheds a little light and a couple of tips for future long running cheers steve

Southern Van - August 20th, 2006 at 08:34 PM

Thanks guys................The engine has never over heated and can sit on 120k on the highway and runs fine.Used to run primium but now just put the cheap stuff in when it went a bit pricey. Just started using fluid,not much,half a cup,but now it leaves a little puddle.Drivers side..........mate pulled the covers off on that side and it looked like bit of rubber sticking out.Going to get him to pull the head off and have a looky.Always said I would just put a subie in if it stuffed up. When I bought it, took it to a VW garage to flush the motor and put the correct fluid in ( I hope)

Southern Van - August 30th, 2006 at 09:53 AM

All fixed.It was the rubber seal that was stuffed.The van has always used a small amount of water (very small) since I have had the van.I think it might not have been seated right from when the other owner had the motor rebuilt.

vw54 - August 30th, 2006 at 01:48 PM

might be the head studs corroded as well.

Southern Van - August 30th, 2006 at 03:35 PM

Changed the head studs as well as the head gasket and the rubber thingy. Fingers crossed.

Bizarre - August 30th, 2006 at 03:58 PM

do you need to pull the motor for this??

Menangler - August 30th, 2006 at 06:12 PM

It can be done in the car, but I would say it would be easier to pull the engine and do it on a stand.

Southern Van - August 31st, 2006 at 04:46 PM

It was done with the motor in the van. Up on a hoist.