o-ring replacement on rigid coolant line to block
Guys and gals,
Yesterday was my time for this lovely job. And, indeed, lovely it was! Being a 100% shadetree mechanic who has been relegated to doing 100% curbside repair in front of my townhouse, I must say it was an absolute joy to behold - once I finally came in from the 30-mph wind gusts and had it all sewn back together!
If I had the heated garage my brother, dad, and sisters enjoy at their respective homesteads, I would have knocked this out in a much more pleasant fashion - but it would still be a PITA!
Looking back on things, there are several instances in my motorhead life that I can think of that were less wretched to tackle in terms of both final result (it's just a dang o-ring seal!) and volume of components to remove in order to actually do the job.
Repair jobs I've done that I'd rather do again than this one:
1. remove and replace the automatic transmission on any of my older trucks
2. remove and replace all 4 rotors and install new pads (any car like this profile will suffice)
3. replace front axles and new CV joints
4. struts/shocks replacement
5. VW 99 NB headliner replacement
6. I will just stop now. There are MANY repairs other than this one that come to mind. Mainly, because for such a trivial part, when it eventually stops doing its job (which it will!) there is so much tedium involved - and I was so disappointed that when it was all over, I didn't have any 100-horsepower increase, 25+mpg increase, nor the ability for my car to be 100% invisible to radar as a final result!
Kudos to every one of us who has been here & done it.
Kudos to all of youse who added you insights and experiences to this thread - as well as the OP - back in 2007, I think - seven years ago!
All the nonsense aside, I still love my little 1.9 TDI but NOT my '99 Beetle's shoehorned engine bay.
Guess all my old work trucks - especially the old IH trucks - spoiled my future with modern engine bays!
Happy motoring, all!
heidelberger AKA Adam