The fact you rebuilt the engine yourself deviod's VW of all responsibility
for the outcome.  Since they did not supply the parts really gets them off
the hook.  This is why VW prices and engine and transmission parts so that
that it makes sense for you to buy their rebuilt units. The sealant that
comes in the gasket set does not harden as in the conventional sense.  it
only gets firm.  It assists sealing small imperfections in the head and
case.  A sealant that hardens will quickly ruin the rubber gasket due to
physical loading during engine movement during temperature changes,
(expansion/contraction).  If the head and case is in god condition, the
gasket will seal with no sealant at all.  If the leaks are very small, you
may try using a cooling system stop leak.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Jfhammontr@aol.com <Jfhammontr@aol.com>
To: vanagon@zuni.likeminds.com <vanagon@zuni.likeminds.com>
Date: Thursday, February 19, 1998 12:21 AM
Subject: VWOA

>l have a problem.  l just rebuilt my engine for the second time.  The
engine
>sounds very good but after about ten minunites l started to notice coolant
>leaks from both heads.  The sealant for the head gasket (D-000-400-01)
never
>dried.  l know this because there is a very, very, very small amount
sealant
>around part of the head gasket that is still wet.  Bentley says it starts
dry
>in 45 minunites.  l never recapped the tube it still has sealant on the tip
>that is not dry and it has been over a week.  The engine sat rebuilt for 6
to
>7 days without coolant in it.
>
>l don't know how far l will get, but l strongly feel that VW is responsible
>for this leak.
>l would like to know if anyone has been successful dealing with VWOA.  lf
so,
>do you know the name of the person you spoke with and if possible, their
phone
>number or how l could contact them.
>
>Thanks for any imformation,
>
>David Hammontree
>
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