Head Gasket ????

[golfmk31997]

Hi all wondering if anyone could give me an insight to the problem ive got with me MK3 1.4L. I think my head gasket may have gone looks like dirty liquid around where the gasket is. Also there is continual coolant loss, expansion tank got nasty cream sludge in, All the hoses have liquid on them, oil dip stick has signs of sludge, inside oil filer cap full of sludge ! Also blowing white smoke from exhaust and also keep loosing some power know and then when out on the road.

So what you think is it a gonner ?? What should be my next move get it confirmed at a garage ?? Also if it is im not going to bother fixing it would just have to scrapped 

[Gti_Jamo]

Best bet is to take it to a garage and have them use a water tester on it but it certainly appears to be gone given how you have described it.

[sharki786]

defo head gasket has will need to skim the head and before that check for signs off any damage. Or could be the oil cooler.

[golfmk31997]

defo head gasket has will need to skim the head and before that check for signs off any damage. Or could be the oil cooler.

If it was the oil cooler is that a big job or a bit easier than head gasket Only ask becasue the cars getting tired anyway..

[trog_nfs]

Its a 1.4 I don't think they have an oil cooler

[golfmk31997]

since i dont know what an oil cooler looks like i couldnt really say if it has either :S lol

If there is no oil cooler it must be the head gasket which has failed then ? .... which means i better get looking for a new car.

[Rmachines]

the oil cooler is a block, which is directly above the oil filter, the filter actually threads onto it,  there will be two coolant pipes going to it,  but im pretty sure the 1.4 doesnt have one.   So yea...  sounds like the HG has failed.   If its not overheated, the head shouldnt need any work, so just send it away for testing, adds about £45 to the job.