May also be a cracked head. If it is a blown gasket, you need to find out why. The usual cause is the studs lost their tension and the head came loose. This may be the result of an overheating issue or there was a problem when the heads were last done. If the cause is not found, you will get to do the job again. I would consider replacing the head studs as they may not be able to hold pre-load after being over stretched or they may snap in the future.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Jamie Foust
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:49 am
Subject: leak down verdict
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> I ran the leak down test last night. #3 cylinder has a blown
> head gasket.
> Coolant came puking out in a hurry. Since all cylinders checked
> out w/ good
> compression, I'm going to yank the motor and do both heads and a
> clean up.
> I'll inspect the pistons, heads, and cylinders, maybe do a re-
> ring and hone,
> but I'm happy with the compression results, maybe I should leave
> them alone.
> Heads are both AMC, so I'm guessing they have been replaced -
> oem should
> have been VW. Both drain plugs in the heads were clean and came
> out easily,
> so it doesn't seem that the heads have seen a lot of time on the
> road.
>
> jamie
>