So, I found myself in over my head once I figured out the timing belt had broken. And was not confident tying to take apart my engine. So I enrolled in an engine class at my local community college. I'm most of the way through the class and my class engine is reassembled and running. I can use the school to work on my own stuff now so I have removed the head from my TDI and am bringing it in to school.
I'm going to look over my cam shaft, my lifters and valves. I'll measure piston protrusion at some point, I may pull the pistons for educational purposes.
Anyone have any special advice on checking out my head. (From my car)
I plan to take a bunch of pictures as is, then take the head apart and fully clean it?
Is there any thing specific to a VW TDI head that I need to look at. I read somewhere that only a professional shop can diagnose a VW TDI head once the timing belt breaks? Is that true? Or is my happy thought that I can simply swat out any bent valves, get an new gasket and bolts and slap that baby back on in the realm of possibility?
Thanks for any input.
P.S. Community college auto class for is 51 year old is quite a bit of fun.