If you have combustion gases leaking into the coolant, they should
accumulate in the expansion tank when the pressure cap is in place.  I
had a diesel head with a 15mm crack in the combustion chamber that
caused a steady stream of gases into the coolant by the time I replaced it.
   Replacing a diesel head gasket is relatively simple, but tedious.  To
complete the job, you need all of the tools required to check and adjust
injection pump timing as well as a suitable torque wrench, breaker bar,
and 12 point socket for the head bolts.  Oh, and a few beers (but wait
until after the breaker bar routine).

Mike Snow
1982 Westfalia diesel

Felder wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Some of you are aware of the fact that I blew a hard-to-find radiator
> hose about a month ago, and I still don't have it's replacement from
> VOA.
>
> In the meantime, I've cobbled together frankenhose, which looks pretty
> darn good considering that it's part original hose, part jetta hose and
> part home depot fitting.
>
> Fits like a glove.
>
> Anyway, I put it in and started the air bleeding process as outlined in
> this list's FAQ. I noticed immediately upon startup that there was a
> hint of vapor out the top of the water tank as soon as I started the
> engine.
>
> That made me think that there might be a head gasket problem, and if so
> that is probably what blew the hose in the first place.
>
> The engine starts a little rough but seems to run OK, it's the first
> diesel I've ever messed with so I'm not sure what's "right."
>
> Anyway, what else should I look for in the way of blown gasket symptoms?
>
> If it is a blown head gasket, what's usually involved in fixing them,
> and how much does it cost to have a shop do it?
>
> The air bleeding process was inconclusive, that is, it never yielded a
> full flow of liquid. It got too dark to mess with, so I closed
> everything up and left the car on jackstands to try again from cold
> tomorrow.
>
> Any opinion welcome!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim
>
> 90 Carat
> 83 diesel (maybe)