Mark,
     Several things come to mind.
     Where are you getting your headgasket kits?
How do you clean the surface?
I was inclinded to soak the head in alcohol     did a
bit of sanding to clean the pits and make the surface
a bit rough for the sealant to stick to.
Have you replaced the cap so that you know your
pressure is not too high?
     More Than Likely,
   your head may be warped so check it with a straight
edge and go looking for a replacement.
            regards gary
Date:    Sun, 16 Mar 2003 23:20:20 -0500
From:    EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket

ARe you using the "special" sealer?  Is the surfaces
perfectly clean,
straight, and with out oils?

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Sun, 16 Mar 2003, Mark Vermillion wrote:

> All-
>
> I have a 87' GL that has a recurrent problem with
the pass. side head
gasket. Problem is, it won't stay intact. I just
replaced it for the
fourth time, and got approximately 5 miles out of it.
This is the "short"
record. The previous gasket went 5k miles. The one
before that was good
for 500. I don't remeber how far the first went.
>
> The gaskets are splitting from what would appear to
be the back, or
water jacket side. They happen on the same corner each
time: lower rear.
There is some pitting on the water jacket in this
area, but it not the
only area with pits. I tried putting a little sealant
to fill the
pits... maybe that wasn't such a good idea.
>
> Anyway, any advice or comments would be appreciated.
I'm about ready
to push the thing into the Susquehanna.
>
>
> Mark

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