Club 80-90 Forums

My 1987 DG is leaking water from the head gaskets!!!

Is this a sign of a bigger internal problem or just a case of removing the offending articles and replacing the gaskets?

Thanks

Ash

your guessing untill you tear it apart and have a look,nice festive project,cj.

Ho ho ho humbug! Not what I had in mind to be tackling over the christmas holiday, but hey it could be worse

We've had the same problem! Was a slow drip that only happened after the engine had been stood cold for a few days... Then over the frosty nights of winter it got worse.... by March of last year I was in despair - opened the expansion tank to top up and got a hiss. Air in, water out

Thankfully, Mr. BrickYard started up in business at about the same time and we were one of his first customers. He got the cylinder head off, changed the gaskets and we've had a happy 1.9 DG ever since.

Only word of caution is that when you try and get the head off, the bolts may break. You'll need a new engine then probably.

My view was an engine with no water was as useless as one with busted bolts, so it was worth a shot.

Good luck!

P.S. If you don't fancy the job, I can recommend Simon 110%

'Only word of caution is that when you try and get the head off, the bolts may break. You'll need a new engine then probably.'

Corroded head studs are the main concern. It isn't leaking too badly at the moment so hopefully she'll make it through the winter and I'll open it up when it gets warmer!!! Fingers crossed.

be afraid,be very afraid

mines leaking from same area! not bad but always looks worse than it is. its down to the cold weather, i panicked last year when it started leaking but i then read a topic on the vanagon website that said when it gets really cold the alloy in the engine contracts and leaks occur. mine has been fine over the summer and i am sure that it will be fine again when it warms up! optimist? hell yes but my breakdown cover is up to date.