The bolt hole cleaning is even more of an issue in the Vanagon because
of the leaned over angle of the diesel engine in the vans. The coolant
can easily fill the lower bolt holes as the head is removed. The angle
makes it harder to see the lower holes and how much stuff is in them.
The main threat is that when the bolts go back in they will get tight
against the stuff in the bottom of the hole before they pull the head
down tight. The head gasket can leak and the block can crack at the
hole. The torque on the diesel head bolts is high.

I use a vacuum cleaner with a soda straw to clean out the holes.

Mark

neil N wrote:

> Interesting to hear of the bolt hole cleaning.
>
> I remember replacing the head on my Rabbit 1.6 NA (1.5? can't remember....)
>
> After I did the job, it worked fine. Car had a new rad, water pump
> etc. etc.  I sold it to a friends kid, but since I'd never replaced a
> diesel head before, the price was *very* fair.
>
> The kid, car and I went to a VW dealership to have my work checked
> out. (he knew the mechanic). The mechanic asked if I had cleanded the
> bolt holes. "uh, no". I didn't even think that IF there was a little
> oil or whatever in a hole that the head bolt would create a LOT of
> pressure. Add heat to that, and whamo. Possibly a crack.
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On 9/17/07, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
>>You should join the diesel Vanagon list for this project.
>>
>>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Diesel-Vanagon/
>>.........
>>
>>Cleaning out the headbolt holes in the block very well before putting in
>>the new gasket is CRITICAL.
>>