Started to notice noise coming from Cylinder head 3 and rough running.
Readjusted tappets and found that Cylinder 3 exhaust valve was very tight yet again.
Removed Rocker assembly and found that Exhaust valve spring was 3mm higher than the rest.
Adjustment on that valve was right at the end of the adjustment thread.
Having determined that there must be and issue with this valve (either the seat or a tulip valve) and needed the engine removing and the head removing. The question to be answered was DIY engine removal or get a garage to do the work.
Finally went for the Lions Garage in Loughborough to pull the engine and sort this out. At £50 per hour and a 10 hours work it was going to take.
After 8 days of waiting. The engine was out and it was found that the valve seat had totally become detached from the head and was just loose around the valve seat. Also the head had had a helicoil in that spark plug so was running very hot and destroying itself!
Here is the old head - Wheres the seat!
Got two new heads from VW heritage - Special heads for Brazil bay as they have special 22 fin cylinders and lower compression ratio for the Injection engine. £160 each. Went for replacing both heads so they are the same age and condition. New gaskets and push rod tubes and head bolts to ensure all is good.
All done and running OK. Much smoother and power. Just running in and will reset tappets after a few hundred miles.
Great to have her back but cost £670 in Labour and £400 in parts! Not cheap. Next time I going to remove the engine myself!
