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Head gasket change

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Hi I've just changed my head gasket due too it failing I have had head reskimmed new tappets also removed valves cleaned them up and refitted with new stem seals changed cam belt. Now I am bein told I need to flush engine? What is this and how do I do it? In the simplest of terms possible please I ain't no mechanic. Thanks

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you can get something that goes in instead of oil that which is really thin oil

you run you car for a few minutes with it in then drain it out and replace with new normal oil

can i ask why people are saying to flush your engine?

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I assume it's to make sure all the cream cheese is out..other than that I don't really know.
 

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If the head has been skimmed you will want to flush the oil and coolant just to be sure all the metal filings are cleaned out.
They may have given it a rinse in the machine shop but I'd do it myself as well. 

The Red Rocket! My Mk1 Tdi Build.....

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1982 Mk1, PD130 Tdi, 6 speed, ongoing project, to be my daily driver (one day)!
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That makes sense. Thanks

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The shop would have rinsed it out before giving it back

As for the cream it will burn off after its all up to temp

I done my fair share of cyclinder head and never flush the engine 

Obviously do and oil and filer change 

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Thanks I have already replaced filters not far off finishing it now just wanted to make sure I didn't kill it at this stage ( if I havnt already done so) lol

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All rebuilt now can't get her to start up anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

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Double check your timing, if in doubt use a screwdriver or rod through the spark plug hole on #1 cylinder to get TDC and check that it corresponds with the TDC mark on the flywheel and the cam pulley. Make sure the distributor is set to fire on the right cylinder, even the pro's manage to get their dizzy timing out 180 degrees now and again. If everything lines up the engine should start (if the fuelling is there), final timing can then be set with a timing light.

1983 Golf GT 2.1 16V with throttles/1978 Golf LS 2.1 ABF with throttles/2008 Citi Storm 1.4i/2007 Hyundai Getz - my daily

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Right checked timing on pullis they line up rotor arm lines up with mark on dizzy. Could any one tell me the fireing order and which is no 1 on dizzy and no1 on block. Thanks

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No 1 is cam belt end and the rotor arm should point to the little line on the dissy case when the cap is off (it's at about 11 o'clock ish) and when all the timing marks on the cam belt pulleys are lined up, it's really easy to be a couple of teeth out on the dissy as it moves so easy when fitting the cambelt. Firing order 1,3,4,2.    

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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1983 Golf GT 2.1 16V with throttles/1978 Golf LS 2.1 ABF with throttles/2008 Citi Storm 1.4i/2007 Hyundai Getz - my daily

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Right got her running but she is very loud and knocking and also there seems to be soil leak underneath the ca belt cover? Any ideas much appreciated thanks

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When you say its loud, what sort of noise is it? Tapping, whine, whistle, exhaust noise or is the knocking loud?
Is the oil leak at the bottom of the cambelt cover at the bottom of the engine or is any any oil behind the cam belt covers higher up? If you have a picture it's alot easier to tell.

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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The oil seems to be spinning round the cam flywheel and the noise sounds like knocking .

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The oil leak could be from the cam shaft seal.
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.8_1988/p/car-parts/engine-parts/engine-parts1/car-gasket-seals/?369440120&1&041ef873cba25c8449008664126173ec67fb5884ff133a054d026e8fc4d6c0e91705eff0e9dec311&000426

Or could be the cam shaft cover gasket but if you rebuilt the head I guess you changed and the 2 bit's of rubber at each end it if it was the cork type of gasket?

To replace the cam shaft seal you will need to remove the cam belt pulley which can be a pain, get all the timing marks set, rocker cover taken off and cam belt covers removed, I removed mine by placing a metal bar (came from my trolly jack) through one of the holes and putting a bit of wood on the edge of the head so not to damage it so the cam belt will not turn when undoing the nut. Losen the nut a little then losen and remove the cam belt from the pulley then remove the pulley but be careful not to lose the little metal key. Next losen the bolts which hold the camshaft down but IN THE RIGHT ORDER as per haynes manual untill all lose then just remove the cap near the cam belt end and slide the seal off the cam shaft, slide the new one on and I put a little smear of blue hylomar (instant gasket) on the bottom of the cap as I did read you can get an oil leak here as it's just metal on metal. Bolt the caps back down in the right order and refit pulley cam belt set timing marks, tension belt etc…

You can see in the photo of my Mk1 Scircco the blue hylomar on the end cap, not sure if you do need to do this so if you don't have any my be try without and keep an eye on it?

For the loud knocking how many miles has the engine done and has it always been there?


 

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thanks I shall have a look. As for noise its a loud knocking noise which it didn't have before head gasket went. Only previous noise was tappets which I have changed. Could it be anything to do with timing as it doesn't run right. It feels like it is only fireing on 2 or 3 cylinders but previous to head gasket goin I changed plugs leads dizzy rotar arm.

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I would check and recheck the timing marks on the cambelt, it's so easy to be 1 or 2 teeth out on the cam belt as things move/turn when you come to tension the belt. I found either the belt goes on no problems or I spend 1/2 hour taking it off and on trying to get the marks lined up with out the intermidiate staft moving.
 

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Right checked all timing and realigned it properly checking a hundred times fired her up now running sweet. Thanks for advice. Now the oil leak it seems to be coming from the lower cambelt cover. Crankshaft seal or intermediate seal . Is the crankshaft seal the one with the pully you have to remove to get lower cover off if so I think I have that left over from my headgasket kit. What is the intermediate seal and what's it called so I can find one? Also it looks like there should be a vacuum pipe connected to the dizzy if so where does it go to? Thanks for the advice.

Last edit: by Mark Tipper

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