[T3] Heads are toast, rebuild time

[Jim Adney]

On 28 Jan 2014 at 21:39, Jacob Adam Schroeder wrote:

> For those following my latest issue, after 3000 miles (actually a bit less
> because I was noticing performance issues), I checked my valve clearances
> only to discover that on a cold engine there was zero clearance on my
> exhaust valves.  I reset them and drove to/from work a few times since
> then.  After maybe about 300 more miles, my exhaust valves have drifted
> from .006 to about .002 on all 4 exhaust valves. I think it's time to stop
> driving until this gets fixed.

It's hard to imagine what would cause all 4 exhaust valves to wear 
like this, but it's clearly something you need to get to the bottom 
of. Is your car FI or carbs? What year? Either way, I'd want to get a 
really good idea of what kind of gas mileage you're getting. That 
might have a lot to do with it. If, for example, it's running really 
rich, you could be getting carbon buildup on the valves, which would 
make the clearance go away. The solution for that would probably not 
require removing the engine.

The lack of the foam seal on top of the oil cooler MIGHT (very small 
might) have some effect on both left side cylinders, but shouldn't 
have any effect on the right. I have very nice foam pad replacements 
if you get to that. I'd want to check the thermostat linkage and the 
cooling ductwork; make sure everything is there, working, adjusted, 
and tight.

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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