I have a 1985 Volkswagon Golf GTI 1.8 (8 valve), I replaced the head gasket about a year ago and it has been OK until today when steam started spurting out of it! All I can think to do is replace the head gasket again. Can anyone give me any more advice to tackle this problem please?

Many thanks

Dave

(P.S. I haven't been hammering it)

Your head or block is problably pretty warped. you have to use a straightedge and feeler guages on the head and block when you have them apart (gasket area after cleaned off) If it is warped... more than .003" Its time to have the head machined or block machined. Or just buy a new head.

Your head or block is problably pretty warped. you have to use a straightedge and feeler guages on the head and block when you have them apart (gasket area after cleaned off) If it is warped... more than .003" Its time to have the head machined or block machined. Or just buy a new head.

Many thanks Veedubmechanic! I guess the block is cast iron or similar therefore is less likely to be warped than the Aluminium alloy head , so as you say if the head is beyond skimming a replacement head will probably sort the problem out??

Dave

Did you replace the head stretch bolts when you did the head gasket last time? Yes, the head is much more likely to warp than the block and the actual allowable distortion is .004". Since it's an older car you might want to check the total head thickness in case it's been machined before. Total minimum thickness is 5.22" from head gasket surface to cam cover surface. As long as this spec isn't passed then the head is reusable. I've not seen a maximum block distortion limit, but I would assume it's the same as the head's limit. Any amount macined from the block would go against the total head thickness, but if I had one overheated badly enough th warp the block I'd replace the engine.

Thanks boschmann! - very useful info!

Regrds

Dave