Head Gasket Replacement: Found Part

Hello everyone.

I'd like to introduce myself first, as I'm completely new to this forum.
My name is Patric, and I'm a trained automotive mechanic, although I haven't worked in that field for 12 years. Now, I'm currently replacing the head gasket, timing belt, water pump, and other components on my 1.9 TDI engine myself.

I've already disassembled and cleared away almost everything, and tomorrow the head will be removed.

Now, to my question?
When I removed the valve cover, I found a small, round, metallic piece behind the valve cover gasket, next to the curved area where the camshaft passes through. It was lying there inconspicuously.

I'll try to upload some pictures of the place where the part was located and of the part itself. If it doesn't work right away, please bear with me.

P.S. My mechanic colleague suggested it might be a part of the hydraulic lifter, but I'm somehow doubtful about that, and I hope it's not.


Thank you very much for your time.


Best regards, Patric.

Hello Patrick,
This is the plunger cylinder of a hydraulic lifter.
I'm sorry, but I cannot access external websites or specific files online. Therefore, I am unable to translate the text from the provided URL.

If the engine hasn't recently had a lifter disassembled, then the part likely came from a previous "repair" (which, at best, only involved replacing the lifters).
hg
Herbert.

Hello Herbert.
Thank you for the quick response.
That means, in order to determine that for sure, I probably need to remove the camshaft as well, right?
What's the best way to test this?

Greetings.

A broken pestle would have made quite a mess of the "salad" above the ZK. You don't need to search extensively to find it.
The only advice: if the valve lifters have reached 250,000 km, then replace them. The first signs of wear are pitting (small indentations on the camshaft lobe surface).
How many miles are on the engine now?
hg
Herbert.

The engine has now covered 218,000 km and, apart from a coolant leak (though it's not visibly leaking anywhere), it's running well, with the expansion tank maintaining good pressure.
Unfortunately, I have no information about what the previous owner had done or changed, and according to him, everything was always fine. However, that's not entirely true.

This morning, I'm going to take the car to the mechanic for a check-up, and then I'll take a look at everything and post some pictures.

Thank you very much.

"It's normal for the coolant system to have some pressure. If it's not leaking and there's no white smoke coming from the exhaust, I would leave the thermostat where it is."
What is the amount of coolant leakage, and what other problems does it have?
hg
Herbert.

The problem was that the expansion tank was building up pressure very quickly, causing the coolant warning light to come on and forcing coolant into the hoses. Even when the engine was cool, there was still pressure in the expansion tank, and the fluid would be pushed back out; there was always a loss of about 100-150 ml.
The CO test in the coolant was negative, but VW said it was definitely the head gasket, and the cost would be 1300 euros.
So, I'll do it myself.


The Wapu is also broken (see picture), I only noticed that now.

I've already disassembled everything except for the timing chain bolts.
Now I don't know either, I thought if I'm already this far, then I might as well replace the timing belt and chain (ZKD) too, and then I might have peace of mind for the next 250,000 km.

The warning light for low coolant usually only comes on when the coolant level is too low.
No matter how many potential leaks you can rule out on the block and the hoses, your approach remains the only option.
hg
Herbert.

Hello Herbert.

I have a question about the new ZKD.
The new one has one less hole than the old one. See the picture where my fingers are.
Does that bother you?

Best regards, Patric.

I almost think it might still fit because there's another hole next to it, and that leads to the same channel.

Evening.
Turn the gasket upside down and place it on the engine, then you'll see if the hole is needed. }