Head Gasket skim?

[jonathanhsm]

Hello - my 1.9tdi PD 100 passat (05) is blowing water out of the header tank. Otherwise it's going fine. It's got to be head gasket. I took it to garage who said on this model head can't be skimmed and I need a new head - cost around £1000 ! Not really economical to do it but really annoying as I have just spent hundreds on Cambelt change and inner cv joint. Anyone know where I can get a cheap head - breakers? Also is it definite that these heads can't be skimmed. Help.
PS no water is getting into the oil so I'm still driving it - just topping up the water after every trip!

[zollaf]

they can be skimmed. the official vw guide is they can't, yet a recon vw head is, apparently. just make sure the injector bores are not worn, and every bolt within the head holding the injectors, cam and rocker, MUST be replaced along with all new injector seals.

[jonathanhsm]

they can be skimmed. the official vw guide is they can't, yet a recon vw head is, apparently. just make sure the injector bores are not worn, and every bolt within the head holding the injectors, cam and rocker, MUST be replaced along with all new injector seals.

Many thanks does anyone know who can do this - how much it would cost? Or am I better off going for a recon head - or even a new one if I can find one cheapish somewhere?

[zollaf]

they are about £2500 new from vw, built up. a skim is £30 ish from any engine shop. bolts and seals will come to about 150 ish from vw. i would also recommend a pressure test on your head before its skimmed to make sure its not cracked or porous.
a recon head will just be tested and skimmed, you will still need the bolts and seals unless its built up with injectors, so then you are looking at more money. if your head is ok and passes a pressure test the just use that.

[Doctle Odd]

I think theres a different head gasket needed for a skimmed head but apart from that it's all detailed above

[turpal]

Have a look how many notches (holes)on your old gasket,they can be seen by facing the engine about in the midlle a bit of headgasket sticking out.If you have 3 notches you best to get a new head if 1 or to get it skimmed and get 1 notch more gasket.I`ve just fitted one on monday.I actually have a complete head from 115tdi pd left from last year after selling my golf.