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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 00:49

Title: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 00:49
Hi All,
I have just bought a 96 GTI ABF 16v.
I know it had engine problems bought it as a winter project. The last owner had the timing belt slip and re timed it to find a nice tapping noise and a bit of a knock. I have removed the head stripped down checked the valves springs and looks good.
first thing I noticed dot on the flywheel lines up with centre of the inspection hole but the crank pulley mark and arrow is around 4 degrees out could this be down to the pulley rubber ageing ?.
Second thing number 2 piston seems to sit 3mm lower then the other 3 in the block at TDC unfortunately due to a cracked exhaust manifold with rusted bolts  :angry: I did not get chance to drop the sump.
Number 2 piston has a delay on the downward  stroke so hopefully it may be a case of new shells or little end bearings I did fill the bores with oil to stop them going rusty.
Has any one experienced this before with their ABF and was the out come rebuild or replace engine ? also I found the crank position sensor cables twisted and touching together luckily I had a spare one why cant vw make the front engine mount just that little bit smaller so the sensor can be changed easier.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Len on 18 November 2013, 12:38
Sounds like you have bought a "project" allright!

Well if the timing is out then pistons could be at different heights but two should always be the same.
How are you checking heights? Through the spark plug holes?

What has the sump got to do with exhaust manifold? Not connected!
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 18 November 2013, 13:03
Sounds like you have bought a "project" allright!

Well if the timing is out then pistons could be at different heights but two should always be the same.
How are you checking heights? Through the spark plug holes?

What has the sump got to do with exhaust manifold? Not connected!

i did wonder this myself?  :undecided:
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Wayne on 18 November 2013, 13:42
If one piston is lower you could have a bent conrod.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: spikenipple on 18 November 2013, 16:55
The only thing I can think of that would make a piston sit lower is either incorrect parts or a bent conrod as Wayne has suggested.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: tweed on 18 November 2013, 17:57
Agree on the bent rod that was my first thought.


The sump and exhaust thing confuses me.
Are you sure its a abf? Does the exhaust go under the sump?

Pictures please.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 19:44
Hi All
Thanks for the reply's and sorry for the confusion.
I had trouble with the exhaust manifold nuts when removing the head and ran out of time yesterday so did not get time to drop the sump.
The pistons were viewed with the head off. number 2 piston is the only one that is not reaching the same height at tdc as the other 3.
The oil I put down the bores has not dropped in the night and now I will not get chance until Saturday to go any further with the engine.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: xionsolaris on 18 November 2013, 19:46
How much did the car cost you
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: VW BUSH on 18 November 2013, 19:53
Buy a donor engine with 3 months ticket for a couple of hundred.
Swap it and or build the old one up in your own time.

Think the rusty manifold bolts just took forever to get off so he ran out of time
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 19:56
I paid £128.00 for it. Apart from the drivers side sill and engine the rest of the golf has been well looked after.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: tweed on 18 November 2013, 20:01
If its bent a rod your gonna have bent valves.

Are the bores scored at all?

Tbh I would leave that engine alone as the cost will be high to rebuild and I would try to get a bare engine from eBay or something
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 20:31
Hi
I stripped the head down today at work and all the valves slide ok in their seats apart from carbon build up they seem to be fine, cam lobs and springs are good. The hydraulic followers will need replacing.
Saturday I will remove the sump and pistons and let you know if its the rods, little end bush, big end shells crank or all of the above.
All the bores are good no scores just faint lines all in keeping with a engine that has done 131, miles

Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Leon27 on 18 November 2013, 21:02
It would take a lot of force to bend a rod, a piston hitting a valve and the valve winning doesn't seem right?

Any evidence to suggest it sucked in water?
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: gazareth on 18 November 2013, 21:45
It would take a lot of force to bend a rod, a piston hitting a valve and the valve winning doesn't seem right?

Any evidence to suggest it sucked in water?
just what I was thinking. maybe it spun a big end shell big time.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: tweed on 18 November 2013, 21:57
Could have spat a shell out  :shocked:
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 18 November 2013, 22:11
That's what I hope has happened its just lost a shell fingers crossed the crank is ok, as far as I know there has been no water damage.
The previous owner said that it cut out when slowing down took it to a local garage who diagnosed timing belt tensioner moved causing belt slip they retimed it started the engine and it sounded bad owner gave up with it and a couple of months later I bought it from him.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: spikenipple on 18 November 2013, 22:45
If you end up buying another engine keep that one and I'll have it off of you  :smug:
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Bellend on 19 November 2013, 00:06
If it had spun a shell then surely the piston would go to the top just out of sync?

I reckon bent rod, anything else I can't see the crank being 100% tbh.

I'd ether fully rebuild or just get a second hand engine, can't see the point in just sorting what's wrong with this engine, far easier and probably cheaper to stick another lump in. I can see the point in fully rebuilding it though.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 19 November 2013, 07:20
I have a decent ABF lump for sale if you want to come and whip it out?
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Len on 19 November 2013, 13:17
I do have the parts you need to repair that engine! Set of pistons with rods and shells!
Will need some new rings as had to bust some!
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Len on 19 November 2013, 13:18
But if the bores are scored then forget and get a new engine.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: spikenipple on 19 November 2013, 16:57
Or bore it out  :evil:
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: ant_gti on 19 November 2013, 18:36
Then bolt a turbo on  :whistle:
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 19 November 2013, 20:26
Thank you for all the offers for parts and engines, I will remove the sump and pistons on Saturday and let you know what I find.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: chris_d66 on 24 November 2013, 17:58
Hi All
Took the sump off today and removed pistons 1 and 4 big end shells good, number 3 top shell cracked bottom ok, but number 2 top shell paper thin and bottom shell cracked all crank diameters the same except 2 which is scored to be fair they are not that deep but the crank will need a regrind or replacing.
The Block is now out of the golf so tomorrow I will remove the crank and check to see what condition the crank cups and shells are in.
So far number 2 will need another rod, crank will need a regrind or replacing + new shells and rings.
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Len on 25 November 2013, 12:32
How near to me are you?

Because I have a spare crank for you as well as good pistons and rods!
Title: Re: MK3 Golf 16v piston height engine is not well
Post by: Len on 02 December 2013, 10:54
Was good to be of assistance mate! :afro: