fried vw engine

[Dennis P]

Hello, recently fried #3 cylinder due to overheating.  I was told #3 goes first on 1500 cc engines, due to poor oil cooling at this cylinder.  Am pulling head and hoping to find only a burnt valve.  comkpression was 60 lbs.  All others were 130 and oil pressure is fine. Can oil cooler set up be updated to 1600 stlyle, to avoid this again?  Would rather spend a couple of hundred instead if going to a different engine.  Thanks

[Keith True]

Did the whole engine overheat? Or,did you lose #3 and were told that was common from lack of cool air to that jug?That one would go first,but only towards the end of its life.Thousands of people ran those engines thousands of miles with no problem.I think I would dig a little deeper if it got hot.At the very least,collapsed rings,maybe scored or galled walls,if the head is off you might as well take a good look.Jugs and piston kits are not that much.I don”t know if the 1600 oil cooler setup would fit easily or not.You would need all the sheet metal,and it would have to be fron a 1600 single port,but I don”t even know if the cooler is offset on the 1600 single port,like it is on the dual port.I would fix it and run it.There are aftermarket cooler setups too.Ask on the Samba website.Those guys have done everything you could think up on VW engines.You should also pick up the Bently manuel,don”t even bother with a Haynes or any of the newer chilton or clymers.

[Dennis P]

Hi, thanks for the response.  Only #3 lost compression.  the local VW guy said it was probably from poor cooling of # 3 which was a problem on the 1500.  the car actually ran 6 miles home and just blew smoke.  It is presently very cold here, as soon as I get a mild day, I will pull the head.  Will check out Samba.  thanks Dennis

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