There may be a better way to do this, and I've only done this once on
my 2.1 but I had to remove the intake manifold at each head. Doing so
will most likely damage the gasket between each set of intake runners
and head. It may be that on the 1.9 the socket can be put over the
nuts without removing the intake runners.

What I recall doing to get at the head nuts: move the intake runners
out of the way, remove engine belts, loosen power steering pump
bracket at head, remove valve covers and rocker arm assemblies.

Bank on: new intake manifold gaskets, maybe new cork valve cover
gaskets, maybe new boots between each intake runner and intake plenum
if yours are old and crusty. Mine were quite new slipping the runners
off the plenum was easy.

The OEM sealant between each head nut and head should, in theory,
remain flexible. For me, checking nut tension, turning a few nuts a
1/4 turn at most, did not create any coolant leaks but other folks
have said that they ran into coolant leaks at those nuts when re
torquing them. In theory, the nuts were already turned with the
special sealant applied. One would hope it remains flexible for some
time.

Neil.

On 7/29/17, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi Denis, Neil, and others,
>
>         thanks for the continued info and tips.
>
>         I’m planning to ask a VW friend if he can help me torque the heads
> to spec.  Can someone tell me where to find the correct number?  Also, Is
> this going to require removing many items to get to the studs?  In other
> words how big a favor am I about to ask of him?
> Eric

-- 
Neil n

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