Why are T5 wasser head gaskets so bad?

Dyno Soar · Post by **Dyno Soar** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:19 am

I was wondering about this and found a thread about the types of gaskets that the VW factory used may have been the reason they held up so badly.

Also the coolant used in these motor's did it corrode the head bolts??

Finnaly if you were to rebuild the wasser, what type of head gaskets would you use?
I have heard mention of these green gaskets, can anyone elaborate?

Basically I would like to prevent these problems occuring in any rebuild I have on my own engine.

Type 5 Joe · Post by **Type 5 Joe** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:39 am

I think your refering to the channel gaskets, they do have head gaskets too...

The channel gaskets weren't bad, it was the owners using conentional V-8 coolants.

Normal use with the factory Blue coolant will give pretty good results.

I have seen the studs badly eroded from green coolant.

I have also had good success eliminating the combustion chamber head gasket, flycutting the coolant sealing surface, ect..

-Also less "crush" on the channel gasket works better than stock or more "crush".

- Joe

Post by **Piledriver** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:48 pm

Thy didn't VW throw a sacraficial hunk of zinc in the water jacket somewhere?

This works well for preventing boats from corroding.. Keeps the propellors from getting eaten.

They do it for boats... You could put a chunk on a freeze plug or such and easily replace it.

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 2:51 am

Hi

Besides VW coolant I also use distilled water and a lower temp thermostat, 85C instead of 87C. I bought my DJ (10.5 comp) engine brand new on the box in 1988. I pulled it apart and fitted a berg hydraulic cam, 1.4 rockers and ran it with twin IDAs and extractors until a few years ago when I pulled it down to decompress it for a turbo. I found no signs of corrosion.

Steve C

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 3:24 pm

I think Vansagain or Boston Engine sells the zinc inserts like you mentioned.

[This message has been edited by PapaG (edited 02-17-2003).]

Post by **Piledriver** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 6:34 pm

Ah...
Any great idea, insufficiently promoted, is doomed to reinvention on a regular basis...

That's almost funny. I need to work on that.)

[This message has been edited by Piledriver (edited 02-18-2003).]

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 7:59 pm

Steve, Did you ever get that combo dyno'd?

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 2:25 am

Hi

Normaly aspirated it made 96 at the rear wheels, with the turbo it only made 127, I later found that the wastegate was stuck open and the injectors maxed on 9 psi. Im going to get it redone again soon with the problems fixed.

Steve C