Symptoms of an airlock?

[james_16v]

Thought id give you an update on my situation to all those who helped me out with suggestions. To cut a long story short the car went in to have the head gasket done after he assures me it needs to be done and finally got the car back just before new year after going back and fore many times for various other problems that occurred. Drove it to work today and the coolant problems begin again which I will post in a new thread!
Thanks for all those who helped.

[Conker]

Sorry to hear that. At least you've got a nice new headgasket i.e. it wasn't a complete waste of money.

When you make your new post just write everything that happens when the car warms up in as much detail as possible and I'm sure people will be able to sort you out. E.g. do the rad pipes stay cold, what happens with the oil/water temp, what has been tested/replaced etc.

Having re-read this thread, it seems like the only problem in reality was that water was escaping the oil cooler pipes. In this case, have you replaced the pipes and clips?? The boiling over of the coolant can be completely normal with the cap off as the system is supposed to pressurise eventually. Anyway, post a new thread and try and be as clear as poss!

Good luck!

[Mr Blue]

ahh damn it. You had the head gasket changed.

I would put my bets on a cloged heater matrix - ideal replacement is a new one from gsf (mk3 golf one) and bin the bypass valves if you have them.

radiator cloged or none genuine. I found none genuine rads to be a right pain

I had the same problem. Was a mixture of the above.

You need to bleed the system properly. Takes ages! A common problem on these bangers

Ive used a heater matrix pipe off a mk3 vr6 that has a bleed tap built in. makes life easier. might be worth looking into

also make sure you have anti freeze.

[james_16v]

One of the reasons it went back to the garage was because it was still leaking from the end of the oil cooler pipe where I originally told him it was coming from!
He totally ignored it and steamed in with the head gasket change. Like you say at least ive got a new head gasket but im pretty sure that was where my problem was.
Mr blue - Dont start worrying me about a matrix change yet! the blowers get nice and warm when up to temp and it drove fine for 3 days up until my burst hose incident so im hoping i can dodge that job for a while at least.