Mk5 1995 1.8 Si Cabriolet Cylinder Head Change?

[Guest animal]

Hi All

 

Just wondering what cylinder head would fit onto my block, I have a 1.8Si registered March 1995 that’s marked DOHC 16v not Zetec on the rocker cover and think its a 130 but not 100% as on the air filter is says 1.8L then to the right 105 but I’m not sure if its an original air box/intake,

I recently found water in the spark plug channels when I changed the plugs which I fixed by adding something like rad weld that's managed to have stopped it for now but there’s rust now round the spark plugs and it don't look nice.

I was going to change the cam belt but thought I might as well invest in a head swap at the same time.

 

My question is do I have to do an exact swap or can I put a 1.8 GTi Zetec head on it from a 96/97 car?

if it can be done will I lose or gain any power?

 

Thanks all

Edited June 4, 2009 by animal

[Guest animal]

Hi All

 

 

Ok sorted a second hand cylinder head .. just need to ask one question regarding cooling, if you remove the cam shaft cover and look where the 4 spark plugs are your see 2 x star bolts, I have noticed on my cylinder head that the warter may have originated from them so I'm asking can these be removed and replaced with new ones and would thread sealant stop any leaks? I'm sure there must be a few of you out there that have come across this problem?

[Guest markeyboy]

i think they are core plugs that you are talking about,

 

never changed them on mine, a decent thread sealer should stop any leaks from there

[Guest animal]

i think they are core plugs that you are talking about,

 

never changed them on mine, a decent thread sealer should stop any leaks from there

 

 

Hi, I think you could be right thinking there core plugs but after purchasing a set of star bolt removers I cant shift the damn things to give them a clean and re-seal, Has anybody out there had the same problems with small leaks into the spark plug channels through these bolts and if so how did you fix the problem? (apart from using K-Seal like I already have)..

Edited June 11, 2009 by animal

[Guest animal]

Hi, I think you could be right thinking there core plugs but after purchasing a set of star bolt removers I cant shift the damn things to give them a clean and re-seal, Has anybody out there had the same problems with small leaks into the spark plug channels through these bolts and if so how did you fix the problem? (apart from using K-Seal like I already have)..

 

 

Ok All I have some information that might be helpful to some!

 

after surfing the net and nearly falling off me board a few times I found some similar examples of the problem I have “Water In the Spark Plug Holes”

 

it seems that there are two possibilities:

 

First is the most common … Washer jet pipes leaking! ..

 

It seems that the location of the washer jets is directly over the head and what can happen is water runs down the pipes onto the cylinder head and down into the spark plug channels thus resulting in dirty brown water deposits when you check your spark plugs!

this is also the cause of many starting problems so If you have any doubts take a look and check your washer pipes for damage and leaks!

 

The second possibility is that your getting water coming from "Corroded Core Plugs" that are located in the same area as your spark plugs, these are the 2 star bolts located either side or your spark plugs!

 

This unfortunately is as far as I can go with any more information as I have already tried to remove these plugs without success, maybe if some heat is applied I might have better luck but I think I’ll just double check first that my problem is not just down to damaged washer pipes, and also ask an expert if those core plugs in the shape of star bolts can be removed or not!

 

 

 

Hope this helps all!