Engine removal or no?

[SkipTT]

So I need to replace the head on my 03. I have not been able to find a specific write up for the NB 1.8T removal so I thought I would ask here... Do I need to remove the engine? Pretty sure I have to remove the front end at a minimum. Figure the timing belt will be done then as well, so obviously it would be easy with it removed. But, if I don't have to, I'd rather not.

Discuss, thanks!

-Skip

[2004NBTURBOS]

No.
Just take the hood off.

[simonsi]

I wouldn´t even remove the hood. Yes you will need to strip off the TB so replace at the same time. TB takes about 4hrs to remove and replace (inc WP change). To remove and replace the head maybe an additional 3hrs so for me the job is a full day excluding any head rework.

No need to remove any bodywork though. Removing the engine would probably extend the job by a further 1-2 days so def not worth it in my book unless doing a fuller rebuild and/or clutch/gearbox work at the same time.....

(this post has a max value of $0.02)

[SkipTT]

Yes I was planning on doing the TB anyways, even though it has a new WP just before the head warped, I just want to make sure that everything else gets the attention that it deserves.

The reason I asked, was that the stealership told the previous owner that it would take about $5400 to do a new head since they would have to pull the motor from the front since it is tight. In my head I was like, wtf, I know it is tight, but can't be much worse than my GLI and we did the TB in like 3hrs and some...

So ya, VW labor plus new VW parts = $$$ estimate and it helped me snatch the car up

Thank you for the two cent tips!

[D2Beetle]

Perhaps this thread will be helpful.

[SkipTT]

Thank you, I glanced over it, and it appears quite thorough! I am going to have to study it a few times. I am about thinking I should just remove the engine, that would probably make everything much easier. I would ideally like to get this done by mid May, but until we get into the 40s at least, I am not touching it when it is below zero!

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by SkipTT

Thank you, I glanced over it, and it appears quite thorough! I am going to have to study it a few times. I am about thinking I should just remove the engine, that would probably make everything much easier. I would ideally like to get this done by mid May, but until we get into the 40s at least, I am not touching it when it is below zero!

I am waiting till it stays above 50 before I get back to work on mine.

If you notice any differences between mine and yours take some pics of it, I am sure others would want to know.

[SkipTT]

Will do.

[SkipTT]

So it has been some time since I last posted, but my project got delayed a long time, and I ripped the motor out in Dec. Tonight, I started it up, and it didn't hesitate at all! Turbo rebuilt, reman head swapped, timing, misc hoses, fittings, etc all done. It sounds good, I am optimistic at the moment! However, I have a small hiccup I could use some feedback on:

The coolant system isn't all circulating. No heat blowing iside the cabin. Heater core lines are cool, radiator, and the main line running from the thermostat, all the other lines are warm. Bentely manual says to fill the system, and run until the fans cycle on once. I havn't had a fan cycle yet. So I turned it off after ten minutes, and refilled the reservior, and started it back up. I then loosened the upper heat core line to bleed it, as well as the main line to thermostat, and nothing has changed. My fans will not turn on yet, no temp light on dummy dash either, so I have turned it off until the next step......

Any ideas? All help is much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

-Skip

[VDubYah]

Did you change the thermostat? A stuck thermostsat does'nt allow he engine to heat up very quickly. To burp the system fill coolent tank, Heater off A/C off(you want the engine to develope heat) Run until fans cycle once. Sometimes you have to increase engine rpm's because at idle the don'e heat up very fast.

[SkipTT]

I did put a new thermostat in. I did not have the hvac system off, I had it on 3 because I was wary that I would overheat the engine without proper circulation. I will go down and try it again. Thanks for the idea.

-Skip

[SkipTT]

That did it! I turned off the heat and fans, and randomly held RPMS up to 1600 and down and whatnot. After ten minutes or so I finally felt warm hoses and radiator, and heat inside! Thank you for the tip Now put on body stuff and I should rolling my winter beater!

[D2Beetle]

Glad to see that you got yours running.

My project has been delayed so many times I am getting a little frustrated. I have all the parts, just no time to get all put back together.

[Moncier]

Awesome that you have it running!

[SkipTT]

So it has been a week of driving, and it is going very well I got my outstanding recalls done for sunroof and coilpacks yesterday, and huge difference since the packs were replaced.(Car hasn't been driven for almost 3 years) Got my winter wheels/tires on, and also got myself a downpipe leak in the flex pipe, so that needs to get swapped out. Anyhow, thanks for the quick help on here I have parked the Pumpkin for the Winter now, and the Beetle shall be my winter beater. Yes I know my headlamp is mucked up, I need a new barrel and something else to mount it correctly...

-Skip