GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Harooshum on 05 April 2004, 02:57
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Helo fellow enthusiasts, my car is a '91 16v oak green with some body mods, 17"s and standard engine 155k.
The engine is very stuttery mostly at the bottom of the rev range (even though I clean my ISV with Halfords carb cleaner). I changed the spark plugs, but no #3 wouldn't come out. So I decided to change the rest and leave no #3 in there by tightening it back in. It won't tighten because the threading appears to be worn and it keeps skipping, but I tightened it as much as possible. I have no idea how to take it out (I think the head should need removing).
Next thing is my cooling system. I have always had a LEAK, and in the past 6 months have changed the expansion tank bottle, and quite a few coolant hoses (all from VAG). Every time I fix one of those leaks, another starts shortly afterwards in another location, but this time its leaking from the water pump!
Because it is such a mission to change and me being skint, I have left it
like that and top up the water every 2hours or so of driving with tap water that I keep bottled in the car. I have wasted too many expensive bottles of G12 coolant since having the car. I'm worried that having plain water as coolant for a while is dangerous.
I think I found the source of the cooling system prob when comparing my engine with another. My radiator is tiny and obviously from a smaller-engined mk2 (prev owner probably wanted a quick sale, -*unt!). I reckon this put extra stress on the cooling system and is what caused so many hoses to burst. So now I need a new GTI 16v radiator and fan, water pump and sort the spark plug prob too!
Recently I was checking the oil, and found mayo-ish stuff around the dipstick, and a bit under the oil filler cap. The oil is obviously contaminated, but coffee-coloured (with milk, light brown, runny) not gold or dark gold or black, just coffee? Why does it still drive if the head gasket appears to be cracked??
I made a list of all things to be fixed, and won't bother trying myself!! I want it done all in one go by a mechanic I know, who knows Golfs and I want to watch. I dont know if its worth spending money on this engine, as I'm not sure if it's permanently damaged.
For what it's worth, the exhaust is very very rich and smokey (not black smoke), the ignition timing is off, hell it needs a big bloody service, which he says can do too.
I cant find a water pump or rad+fan for a decent price, any ideas? Or is it better to get a recond engine? I'm on a budget though!
Thanks
Harry
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"Recently I was checking the oil, and found mayo-ish stuff around the dipstick, and a bit under the oil filler cap. The oil is obviously contaminated, but coffee-coloured (with milk, light brown, runny) not gold or dark gold or black, just coffee? Why does it still drive if the head gasket appears to be cracked??"
i had this same problem. i was told it was just moisture in the oil form the weather ( my engine had frozen during a coldspell as i live in canada)
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harry where are you?
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that yellow stuf under the cap sounds like a typical winter weather problem. Not sure about the dipstick.
How did you find out if the water pump was leaking??? I have a hose leak that goes into the water pump and was wondering.
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I live in North London, I think the majority of everyone here is from North. About my radiator, I keep hearing that the 16v has a smaller one than the 8v, but the one I got is thinner in depth than my old 8v digi! I heard u can use the rad +twin fans from a driver model or something only prob is finding a good one to buy!!
"that yellow stuf under the cap sounds like a typical winter weather problem. Not sure about the dipstick. How did you find out if the water pump was leaking??? I have a hose leak that goes into the water pump and was wondering."
If the oil is contaminated, then it should show on the dipstick too, innit? Do I desperately need an oil change?
If looking at the engine from above, then under the alternator on the right hand side, there is two coolant hoses going to the pump(no leak). Looking under the alt on the left is the water pump (just under the belt cover) which is covered in white-ish residue from leaking coolant. I heard u can get a new one for around ?30 (not from VAG though). Anyone know where from?
What about changing a spark plug that wont unscrew out because of worn threads? h.
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what i think you should do first is, do an oil change and flush the old oil out with flusher. Take the car for a long spin and see if it comes back again.
have a look in the 'parts for sale' section. there should be loads of water pumps going cheap
not sure about the spark plug but im sure mk1, vr or the other golf nerds should have a tip ;)
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thanks blue, but in it's current condition I scared to drive it at all. Is anyone even near North London??
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im in bedford. some call it north london, not sure if im qualified for that?
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Do you think your disappearing water problem and oil problem could be linked? ???
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the best part of an hour's drive from mine. drop me a pm if ur passing through sometime, apart from my probs which is pissin me off badly, I have an excellent example of a mk2. wot do u reckon of the work i need doing? Engine too far gone?? H.
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yes ben, but the only wayt they are linked is if there is a head gasket prob, in which case the engine should be seized!!! What do u think? H.
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u got pics of the leak, yellow gunk under the oil cap and dipstick?
one of us might spot something?
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where in north london r u im nr milton keynes
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am i right, if you strongly smell oil in the water tank then that indicates a gasket prob?
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nah, I keep filling the water daily as it has quite a fast leak. If oil in the water, then i wont know coz it dissappears fast. I always see clean water though. From what I described, is it very dangerous to run the car with no coolant, just tap water. It hasn't been freezing or snowing.
Southgate, just off A406 north circular.
I cant decide whether to fork out for repairs or if I need a new engine(hope not). I will take some digi-pics, howe can i publish them here?
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yes ben, but the only wayt they are linked is if there is a head gasket prob, in which case the engine should be seized!!! What do u think? H.
Blown head gasket doesn't necessarily mean your engine will be seized. Keep a close eye on your oil level and be aware that if your gasket has gone then both your coolant and oil could be getting contaminated with each other and therefore lowering their efficiency.
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Sound like most of your problems are associated with the head............engine definately worth fixing ;)
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Hello mate. I had the same problem with my water pump few months back, drove round for ages topping it up with water, then it got really cold and I got so worried it would freeze and crack the block i sorted it out. you can get a water pump from Volks spares, nearest to you would be highgate. (www.volkspares.co.uk) for under ?30. took me 3-4 hours to change. time consuming but you don't need to be an expert to do it.
take off your alternator, remove them steering pump bracket underneath it and let the steering pump drop down. change pump!
make sure you clean round the edges with a blade. I used some blue sealant as well make sure it didn't leak again. might as well change the thermostat whilst your there, cos they only cost a couple of quid and their a bastard to take everything off again for such a little job! ;D
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Thanks mk216vdubbya. I consider myself an amateur mechanic, but mr Haynes put me off a bit. I still might try to have a go.
Does anyone know where I can get a new (or reconditioned) head, as cheap as possible? I plan to keep this car for a few more years yet, and I might aswell do the head for the long run. I donk want it fcuking up again. Good idea? Harry
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Here's a link to your pics:-
http://www.richandhazel.servebeer.com/gti/general/Harry/index.html
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That oil looks the colour of mud :o
If you must keep using the car then definately do an oil and filter change now! I'd recommend stop using that car........before any more damage is done and you do seize the engine.
I think that is pretty conclusive that your head gasket is gone.........the reason you are blowing hoses is because your engine is pressurizing the cooling system. Probably nothing wrong with your radiator.