2.0 tdi cylinder head help please

[markspark71]

Hi all im looking to replace my cylinder head on my 2005 blb 2.0 tdi due to it being porus, i'm aware that these head can and do suffer from this problem. As im looking to buy a 2nd hand head i was wonderingif there are certain part numbers to avoid. Also where is the part number stamped on the head so i can check all is well before i buy
TIA

[Crasher]

What leads you to think the head is porous, water in the ports after standing? It is a casting number (even though it has the exact same format as a part number, just to help!) usually over number 1 cylinder. Personally I would not do this job unless I could use an exchange VAG head which is £2045 and comes virtually ready to fit except new injectors. There is a TPI somewhere on elsa giving the problem casting numbers but after a quick search on my copy I can't find it,it may be available on erWin if you don't mind spending 7 Euro's having a look.

[markspark71]

The egr cooler is disconnected so no water getting in from there. When the car is left over night the water level drops over night, then when the car is started the day after and starts to warm up i get steam coming out of the exhaust until the car is upto normal running temp then all is fine even if i drove 500 miles it would not use a drop of water untilits left to cool over night. Sso being a 2005 blb engine im told there was a problem with the head being porous on this model year. I'm also getting puffs of blue smoke in a morning but not once its warmed up so im thinking that could be the valve stem oil seals which will also be covered/replaced with the 2nd hand head

[Crasher]

A cracked block top surface is also common, to condemn the head you should do the manifold off valve closed test on number 1 and so on, very annoying and boring...

[markspark71]

Its all doom and gloom with this engine i think i will just drop anothere engine in and be done with it
Thanks for the advice

[Crasher]

The thing is, will you find a good one, the BKD has been gone for a decade now and all will have interstellar miles on them, it's often better to repair the Devil you know.