A&E

Is it worthwhile to fix the headgasket for 92 passat GL? The other time it was replaced the job had to be done again, then it starts to leak a few months later. I was told if the leak is bad do it, if minor don't.

boschmann

Is it leaking oil or coolant?

A&E

Leaks oil the driveway is covered with oil drops

kanda

Had a similar issue in my 91. Just got tired of the damn mess and finally bit the bullet and devoted a day to the head gasket a month or so ago.

If yours was recently done, and still leaks, you have two possiblities:
1) Your mechanic is not really very good or doesn't care.
2) Your head is slightly warped/damaged and your mechanic did not check it or have it resurfaced, in which case, see possibility #1.

If it is minor, and you don't forget to add oil to compensate for the leak, and it does not bother you too much, I say let it go. Provided that you continue to have good compression, and that the oil is staying out of the coolant and vice versa (and out of the combustion chambers) you might be okay for some time.

This job is a bigger one, and took me the better part of a day. Wanted to have someone do it, but the lowest bid I got in KC was 800. Too much for a medical student with kids.
If you decide to tackle it, do the timing belt/pulley at the same time if they did not do this previously (if so see possiblity #1 again).
Europartsdirect.com had the headset and timing set for less than 150.00 total with free shipping when I bought it a while ago.
Good luck!

A&E

Thanks for the comments. I also have a knocking problem with the engine and steering wheel. I had it looked at found it might be a engine mount underneath, banging against the headers 95% sure. With the oil leak i had it done last when it was on warranty in 94 or 95 the mechanic had to do it twice at the VW dealership. Its a good point the head is defective probably at the factory just like most of this car. My windshield wiper blade on the passenger side does not wipe well and sometimes wobbles or does not wipe with enough pressure. I had this problem since 92 but when it was on warranty, they only replaced the wiper which didn't solve the problem. I tighten the wiper bolt but it still doesn't wipe well.