I present to you a fine example of German engineering that's made it's way to the good old US of A.
![Image](http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/c2eb5c9a7dd4537109be24258d829f4d.jpg)
![Image](http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/01/6d993a064426eab3ade8c306794f3032.jpg)
Pictured are two cracks in the cylinder head between the exhaust seat and the water drain back from the head to the block. One is complete, the other is just starting.
I suspect that there is one other that is cracked based on the condition of the exhaust valve and the sealing surface, but I won't know for sure until the seats are removed.
Removing the seats a fairly straightforward process. Basically, you heat it up with a DC TIG arc without filler, and when the metal contracts, the seat just pops out. All aluminum cylinder heads have some sort of hardened valve seat, with steel being the most common, although some alloys are used as well. Regardless, the process is the same.
I will post more pics as the repair progresses, and whether it will work or not is yet to be seen. It will definitely be a learning experience nonetheless!!
Stay tuned for my foray into head repair, and hopefully we all might learn something in the process!!!