In my former life as a real shop tech...I used to change the bottom o rings
without taking the jugs off...for real, guys...If you run the cyl up to
withing 1/8 of the bottom ring at TDC and use a 90deg awl, they can be
cleaned out and a new o ring installed...Never had a leak. This does take an
hour or so of careful teduious work, but can definately be done.
On the other hand, I agree with Bob...Even the ones where the cyl starts to
come out with the head can be placed back in their spot and don't leak
unless they are VERY brittle from being ancient or run hot...I always
checked them...ymmv or diayor (do it at your own risk) Daryl of AA Transaxle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Condelli" <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 2:52 AM
Subject: Re: Head Gasket repairs Question

> In a message dated 07/02/2005 6:55:05 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> 2.   Is there any reason to take the jugs out if it is just a head  gasket
> leak?\
>
>
> Yes, to change the O-rings on the bottom of the  jugs.  Unless you can
> figure
> a way to change them without removing the  jugs.  Dollars to doughnuts
> they
> are hard as rock and you have to dig them  out with a pick.  If so, they
> won't
> reseal and you'll have coolant leaking  into the crankcase.  Your call !
> Pull
> the motor, pull the jugs and do  it right.  This has been hased over as
> often
> as tires.  Check the archives and see how many times this has been
> posted.
> And Please, Please let us all know if you find nice soft fuzzy  or rock
> hard
> O-rings on the bottom of your cylinders if you decide to  look.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
> Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
> (http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  &
> _CCVWC_
> (http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
> _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> or  http://frankcondelli.com
>