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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: milla-82 on 30 March 2010, 13:30

Title: Head gasket gone?
Post by: milla-82 on 30 March 2010, 13:30

Hi

My 97 8v GTi is currently up for sale and i had a potential buyer (who was a mechanic) out to see the car today, He checked the oil filler cap and it was full of mayo even the dipstick was covered.

I do 20 miles miles a day in the car, never had any problems like not starting or over heating, the car still pulls, their is no smoke from the exhaust and no oil in the coolant .

It's been sat for 2 days and not been started could it be condensation?

I've been quoted £450 to do the head but when i asked about a compression test and explained everything over the phone to another mechanic even he said the head gasket had gone. The car has covered 88k.

What do guys think? Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: MotorPsycho on 30 March 2010, 13:38

lots of very short journeys in the cold weather can cause condensation to form in the rocker cover but if the dipstick is covered then it sounds like its been gone awhile, does it use any coolant?

to confirm get a compression test done but it does sound very much l8ike your head gasket has gone, unlucky mate

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 13:39

Sounds like h/g has failed.

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: milla-82 on 30 March 2010, 13:45

I had to top up the coolant a couple of months and not touched it since, thanks for the replies.

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: VW BUSH on 30 March 2010, 13:55

Just had the same thing with mine, Mayo in breathers under cap and in dipstick etc.
Comp check was perfect and i used a sniffer on the coolant so no H/G fault.
Engine draws in air as it cools lots of journeys = lots of air, lots of moist air = lots of water evaporating as the oil gets warm this condenses and builds up in the pipes etc.

do a compression test, Use a Sniffer on the coolant or drain the oil out and check for water.
You can do all of the above yourself or for a reasonable fee a good garage will do it.
Better to be sure your £400 is well spent (£400 seems about £100/150 overpriced to me :undecided:)

 :smiley:

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: ian24driver on 30 March 2010, 16:42

whats a sniffer by the way!

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 30 March 2010, 17:21

Quote from: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 13:39

Sounds like h/g has failed.

+1
Cream on filler cap yes ok, but when there's plenty on the dipstick it spells trouble...

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: milla-82 on 30 March 2010, 17:59

Thanks for all the replies

Quote from: VW BUSH on 30 March 2010, 13:55

do a compression test, Use a Sniffer on the coolant or drain the oil out and check for water.
You can do all of the above yourself or for a reasonable fee a good garage will do it.

I think i'll do this first before I decide anything.

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: filthy on 30 March 2010, 21:06

Clean all the mayo off and see if it comes back- I've had mayo on the stick before with no HG issues...

Title: Re: Head gasket gone?
Post by: gazpowells on 30 March 2010, 21:48

Quote from: filthy on 30 March 2010, 21:06

Clean all the mayo off and see if it comes back- I've had mayo on the stick before with no HG issues...

+1  :smiley: