Head Gasket

Afternoon all,

Back again with the next challenge, few tells over the last few weeks that all is not perfect. Starts on only 3 cylinders, then the 4th comes to life, check plug and small amount of moisture. using a little more water than normal, bit more vapour when first starts etc.

Runs so well though I would like to stem this before it gets worse so,,,

Does the above sound like head gasket? Is it really new gasket, 8 bolts and a torque wrench,,, I have never thought of doing this but then I thought it is actually why I bought this old girl.

She is a 1963 Series 2a, 2.25ltr petrol though I have no idea if it is the original but it is a 3 bearing so might be.

All thoughts most welcome!

Is there emulsion (horrible brown/ creamy froth) on the oil filler cap and/ or down the neck of the oil filler? If so its indicative of water in the oil and its therefore almost certainly the head gasket. Cheap to buy from Craddocks/ Paddocks. If you are doing it yourself, get a copy of the workshop manual, a Haynes manual has insufficent guidance for this kind of job. Might be worthwhile doing the thermostat whilst the water system is drained down and replacing all the hoses n jubilee clips. Oh and might as well well replace the rocker cover gasket at the same time.

An assistant bringing cups of tea (or whatever tipple you prefer) is more than helpful too Otherwise it's an easy job although it may seem daunting. Be prepared when lifting the head though. It's heavy. I hadn't done a series head in over a decade (I became accustomed to light and easy TDIs). The weight shocked me. A Series head weighs around 27kg!

No froth yet, think It is just a seep at the moment but do not want to ignore and allow more damage, sounds like a challenge so I will order the bits and get it done. Will make a not of the weight, not the biggest chaps and will make sure I have somewhere easy to put it down when I make a feeble attempt to shift it. Thanks guys

Maidment78 said:

No froth yet, think It is just a seep at the moment but do not want to ignore and allow more damage, sounds like a challenge so I will order the bits and get it done. Will make a not of the weight, not the biggest chaps and will make sure I have somewhere easy to put it down when I make a feeble attempt to shift it. Thanks guys

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I did mine twice earlier this year. Wasn't too hard apart from a stretched rocker shaft bolt snapping during the final torqueing up, hence doing it twice. The head was a swine to move on my own do do a Chris Tarrant and phone a friend.
I had the head skimmed whilst off.
Good luck.
Toby

Don't forget the oil feed pipe at the rear! Other than that an easy job - a good quality composite gasket is worth buying too.

And be prepared to have valves and seats cut, or lap them in yourself if not to bad