Head Gasket :'-(

[Nickmk2]

Well after being off the road for 3 years I had to M.O.T the rocc as we've moved house and I currently don't have a functioning driveway, I wanted to do some bits and bobs to it before I got it back on the road but they'll have to wait. It passed requiring a new tyre and a brake light bulb, though noted that the manifold had a hole in it! On the drive home the grommet holding the accelerator cable in place disintegrated after 26years of use, so cable ties at the ready we were rolling again.

I had to drive to Gloucester (I live near devizes) and just as I got into the city the car overheated, running late I parked up and thought ill have a look when the party is over. When I got back into the car I started the engine and it overheated straight away, lifted the oil filler cap and voila sludge! great head gasket had failed. AA towed me home and I have been emotionally damaged as the car was only back on the road for 1 week.

So I don't have the funds to put it into a garage, I have done all previous repairs myself albeit with swearing and learning from error, but never done a head gasket ( well I di one on a mini years ago tracing round a cornflakes packet, but that was a different kettle of fish). So my question is, How hard is it to do , what do I need to do, as I expect it is a lot more than just switching the head gasket, is my engine dead, It still starts and drives so I hope not.

I have a baby due (yesterday), and we have just moved so funds are tight/ none existent, and it is on the road side and we are renovating the new house so don't really have a garage or workshop (yet!). So I need to gather parts required in the next month after payday and then get it up and running quick as in my infinite wisdom I got rid of my other car, after finances dictated we can only run 2 cars, so this is my daily.

Be really grateful for any help/advice...

thanks

Nick

[Nate]

I did the HG on my last mk2 when cash was tight, and all I did was replace the gasket. Everything else was reused. I know they tell you not to, but needs must

[Nickmk2]

Nice one Nate, I think that may be the route I take, as you say needs must at the moment and if it goes completely splat then I can always drop the 18t lump out of the mangled A3 I have got rotting away. didn't know if I should be worried about all the gunk in the engine, and causing further damage...

[Nate]

You'll have to refil the coolant (i did mine in the summer and just used water) and it got an oil and filters change that it was due anyway

Obviously you should be aware that the head bolts used are "stretch bolts" and are designed to be single use.

This can't be described as a repair, it is definitely a temporary bodge. There is a chance that it will fail again (mine lasted around 9 months) or if the head has badly warped it might not work at all. Mine had failed just from age - the gasket was falling apart - and was caught without being spectacularly overheated.

[mark1gls]

New head gasket and new bolts, £20.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-JETTA ... 2lTtt2xAgg

You will need a 12 pointed drive to remove and do up the head bolts, looks like these, I think it’s 12mm? You will need to put the drive in a socket on a bigger drive as the head bolts are done up to a high torque.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPLINE-BIT-SO ... SwWJhZX7SM


You could try and leave as much stuff attached to the head to reduce the amount of gaskets etc you need but it will be heavy to lift off.

If you have the C clips which hold the exhaust down pipe to the manifold you will need to make a tool to remove the clips, few guides on the web with using a exhaust clamp.

New oil and filter, new coolant.

Good place for cheap good quality parts, use discount code for even cheaper prices they have discounts most weekends.

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk

Also here, again use discount codes on most weekends etc...
https://www.eurocarparts.com

[Nickmk2]

massive thanks mark1gls delayed reply as our little girl has finally arrived so have been busy on sleep deprevation... again massive thanks bud i will be fixing rocco up next week