It's been discussed endlessly on the list: a leaking
head gasket will require a major engine operation, as
head removal and resealing is not a trivial operation.
The heads must be re-surfaced and gaskets replaced,
all this better done with the motor out of the van.

I have a new idea: isn't it usually the (black?)
rubber seal (the one that prevents coolant from
leaking from the heads to the outside world) thats
starts leaking?
IIRC, there are three gaskets sealing the head: (1) a
metal one between the cylinder liner and the head
(sealing cumbustion gasses from getting into the
coolant surrounding the cylinders), (2)a rubber gasket
that seals the cylinders to the block, and (3) that
black gasket that prevents coolant from leaking from
the heads to the outside world.
IIRC, many posters claimed that usually only seal (3)
leaks, requiring head and cylinder removal even if the
rest of the motor is in good condition, resulting in
high costs. So how about simply sealing AROUND that
gasket EXTERNALLY, preventing leakage of coolant? I
know this sounds awfuly non-professional, but since
engine dismantling will cost an awful lot anyway, what
damage could a bit of high temp RTV or other suitable
compound applied around the seal externally cause (it
could be scraped of when a major rebuild is needed)?
In any case, the heads would usually need to be
replaced due to pitting, won't they?
And this simple sealing (if access is available to
apply it all around the external head seal) could give
even several years of additional life to a perfectly
good motor otherwise. RTV's are available that wistand
high temperatures, much higher than what the water
cooled head might reach.
I know the seal must withstand about 15psi, so maybe
some kind of external strap clamp might help.
Has anyone tried this crazy idea yet?...:-)

=====
Cheers, T-man.

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