Thread: Hot Rod VW Diesel!!

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Well, not really a hot rod....................I am looking at buying a little veedub dasher with a fuel sipping diesel. The seller says the coolant gets foamy after running for a few minutes. He thinks it is a head gasket. I think maybe it is just a faulty water pump, a leak on the suction side, or something similar. There isn't any water in the oil. Can a head gasket cause foamy coolant? This isn't a hotrod question, but I couldn't find a forum for 80's oddball cars.

Originally Posted by DennyW

If there was a leak on the suction side, you would have a leak on the ground. (anti-freeze).

Pay attention to the cam alignment when changing the head gasket.

Good point. Thanks.

They were bad about popping head gaskets.

Don't forget to set the preload on the injection pump when redoing the belt alignment. If it's not right, the thing won't run properly.

You guys have me scratching my head. (no pun intended) Is this head gasket replacement a major ordeal??? I have done this type of thing before, but never on a diesel. Is it considerably different??

Other than setting the cam and pump timing, it's pretty straight forward. Get a manual for it, it spells out the timing procedure.
Oh, and DON'T try faking it! The valves hit the pistons if the timing isn't just right, and they will crack the head in a hundred places if that happens. Be sure to put the cam amd crank in the proper place before setting the head on the block, to avoid that interference problem.

Interesting... Thanks.

If I decide to get the car, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ksid=p3907.m29 I will get a manual and work my way through it. Thanks to all for the help!!

Ask here ---> http://www.thesamba.com/vw

Pat