Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 15:22:01 GMT From: "em" <noybnopsamil.com> Subject: Re: Headgasket question
msummers <msummersnopsamh.edu> wrote in message news:_70U2.2230$hl6.83180nopsam.itd.umich.edu... > I just recieved news that my '92 900S (16V normally aspirated) at 58,000 > miles is going to need a new headgasket at somepoint soon. The dealer told > me it would be about $900 to fix, and that is 95% labor. > Has anyone else had similar problems within the same time-frame (7 years/ > 60,000 miles)? > My dad had problems with his '79 900 GLi. Apparently they used > some kind of a paper gasket for that first year. What's the story on that? > > Matt Summers > 95 Jetta (RIP) > 92 900S > > > -- > I just replaced the headgasket on my 87 900 (90K miles). I got the gasket at Autozone for $45. It's not a terribly diffucult job, but it is time consuming. All you need is a set of metric sockets, a torque wrench, and 2 wooden dowels that you can get at Home Depot (to guide the head back into place). If you want to save yourself lots of money, I suggest that you pick up a service manual from your local auto parts store and follow the instructions. As far as the head needing to be machined, I didn't find this to be the case. I used some fine sandpaper and steel wool to smooth out the corroded spots. This will work as long as the corrosion did not cause deep crevices that would prevent a good seal.