Club 80-90 Forums

Well i made a big mistake today, and should have used the term "if it isnt broken dont fix it!"

I was almost ready to put my rebuilt 2.1 engine back into my van, then decided to replace a water pipe flange on one of the heads as the spare one i had looked in better condition than the one on the head.

Guess what happened next.... Both bolts holding the flange sheared off almost flush with the head. Tried welding a nut/bolt on with no luck.

Anyway i have now removed the head so i can take it to an engineers tomorrow to get the threads sorted out. The head came off with the gasket fully intact and stuck to it, the dirko sealant i used doesnt look broken at all.

Assuming the engineers look after the head and dont cause the gasket to come away from it would I be ok just putting the head straight back on?

I could take the gasket off and re seal it but i only have some instant gasket left not dirko, so im not sure if that will be good enough to use.

Any advice would be appreciated, I want to put the head back on by tomorrow lunchtime as i need to get the van running.


Thanks

I've reused gaskets on other engines before with no issues.

The rubber one fair enough.. another smear of sealant after cleaning the cured stuff off first should be ok...

But you would be daft to expect the metal head seals that stop the compression from leaking out will recompress again and seal.. gasket goo isnt going to seal them either..

Please dont tell me that!

Would they not re seal as they will have already compressed and now wont be a tight seal?

Ive just had a search and the only place i can find them listed is vw heritage and i will give my local vw van centre a call in the morning, either way it means next day delivery so i wont be able to put the engine in till Wednesday.

Im running out of time so badly and really need the engine running asap. I finished at my job on Friday and managed to keep my company car till Wednesday, after that im on the bus.

the head seal rings are a laminated metal composite, it has to be compressed to work but once compressed its not likely to absorb another compression to be able to cope with repeated heating and cooling from day to day running.. Unlike a single layer gasket or a copper one.. or on an Aircooled where combustion leak just means it vents to the air....

You could risk it.. but do you want to... sealant wont withstand the compression pressures that will be generated... so dont think for a minute it will..
If I was pushed and needed to get out of a spot, I prob would reuse... expecting to have to redo in a short time.. if you feel thats the risk you are willing to take.. the only thing that I can see is in your favour is it hasnt been run, so therefore hasnt be stressed and settled by heating and cooling.. you may, just may, get away with it... but for how long.. I think it would be a weak point..
You have put a massive amount of effort and learning into this... In my opinion it would be silly not to fit 2 new head seals... its the thing that keeps combustion pressure from entering the cooling system... but if time is critical you have to make a decision...

You goota keep smiling and laughing mate.. otherwise it will grind you down... nearly there.. just a few small stumbling blocks to go.. make sure its got oil, water and no leaks on start up... keep watching and listening... 1st sign of any abnormal activities.. switch off.......