Lack of power, oily sparkplug

[CarlandAnna]

I'm new to this forum and I'm desperately in need of some advice.  I have a 1986 gti which has had so much work done on it it's untrue (and making me feel slightly sick).  Various problems (white smoke, blue smoke, struggling up hills) led to having the head gasket done (about 3 times I think), the fuel pump surge tank renewed, the piston rings replaced and the water pump replaced.  Number 3 spark plug is still black and oily, it's now difficult to start (when both hot and cold) and it's still puffing out clouds of blue smoke on start up.  I'm at my wit's end, so if anybody has any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them.

[clipperjay]

Time for a new block if its gone through the garages of hell!
Welcome!
How much have you spent so far?
 

[Wayne]

Might be best to cut your losses and pick up a s/h engine

[CarlandAnna]

I'm new to this forum and I'm desperately in need of some advice.  I have a 1986 gti which has had so much work done on it it's untrue (and making me feel slightly sick).  Various problems (white smoke, blue smoke, struggling up hills) led to having the head gasket done (about 3 times I think), the fuel pump surge tank renewed, the piston rings replaced and the water pump replaced.  Number 3 spark plug is still black and oily, it's now difficult to start (when both hot and cold) and it's still puffing out clouds of blue smoke on start up.  I'm at my wit's end, so if anybody has any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them.

List of events.
Head replaced after WoF (MoT) failure.  After work car very smokey on start up and black oily number three spark plug.
I assumed leaky/missing seals and replaced them without removing the head, in hindsight I think they were okay.
On re-assemble noticed that number three injector was in pieces so put back together thinking this was the problem.
It wasn't, plug still oily and smokey on start up, car hesitant on acceleration.
Back to different garage who removed head to find 'cancerous golf ball like growth on cylinder number three valve' his words not mine.
Head rebuilt but problem still exists, so back again to garage.
After assuring injectors were okay, he replaced the rings, number three was black and oily like the spark plug.
Problem still exists, black oily spark plug number three, car hesitant under acceleration and smokey on start up.
any ideas?

 

[clipperjay]

I can see you are in pain there mate, but are you sure you want to ask a forum for advice when I think you should be contacting trading standards against your mechcanic garage?
The problem I have is you're so new and I'm holding back here trust me!
If we diagnose whats wrong, are you going to fix it? or use it to argue with the garage mechanic?
If its the later then this could hinder your case against them.
If you want our opinion which both Wayne and I have already mentioned is to find a second hand Block which is cheaper than trying to fix......... "Flogging a dead horse!"
If you wish to find a good mechanic then post up a thread in here stating whats gone on and you need the specialist involve, but please take no offense at this!
Repeating what we have been told to us already is not helpful or ignoring the options already given!
If you are here to rant and rave then you will fit right in with us  

Hello again my name is Jay

[CarlandAnna]

Hi Jay
You are right I am new and I didn' mean to offend, I was just "trying" to sumerise what my wife's (emotional) thread started.
I am happy with the mechanic I now have, i was not happy with the original mechanic but will not be going back to him as it has been so long since he did the work I would'nt have a leg to stand on.  Car was stood up for several months between mechanics.
I am assuming that I have resolved all the 'mechanical' problems with the head and the rings, bearing etc. Once these are done doesn't it amount to vertually a new engine?  The only thing I haven't done is the electrical stuff and you are right I am in pain, I've been hoping for a fix 4 tiimes now and everytime it's back to square one.
I was hoping that someone would have had exactly the same problems and reply by saying 'Yes, you need to replace your .....'  '..... and it only cost $20!!'
I am reluctant to but another block in due to cost though you are right in that it would probably fix the issue.
regards
Carl

[CarlandAnna]

In answer to you question on how much I've spent on it - nearly 11k NZ$ (5.5k UK) - not much is cheap out here for Mk II's

[clipperjay]

No problems Carl you can imagine we get a lot of wind ups on here you would be surprised!
I can see you both have been through an ordeal with the car and surprised you didn't chuck in the towel by now.
The issue I have is money and time. The facts are whatever the ropie mechanics' has done or not done properly, we can't determine if he has missed a few steps or cut corners that fundamentally have ruined a salvageable engine.
If your new mechanic is competent and you trust him he should be able to determine what’s gone wrong.
But if you were to be based in UK definitely think a second hand engine would be the quickest and cheapest option available.
I have an old friend in New Zealand I might PM you his email, because he loves his cars and it’s a small community over there. I wouldn't feel comfortable unless I had seen the internal of the bores to establish essentially whether to chuck in the towel.
If you have specific questions I'm sure other members on here will provide help to you if needed.
I think if you had done some of the work and have a good general mechanical knowledge it would be easier if you get what you need, but trying to second guess any mechanics you have hired with our knowledge might help a bit, but in reality could hamper the fixing process. 

Owning a MK2 golf is emotional and half of us feel that pain at some point of ownership.

Anyway let’s see if anyone can offer more help as we know a bit more about you!
Enjoy your stay and the search button is really helpful as is the maintenance section I’ve linked both functions for you bellow! 
Jay

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=40.0
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?action=search;advanced

PS introduce yourself in the welcome section found here the more people who know why you are on here might be able to help aswell as I think we have some NZ members on here that they can put you intouch with aswell!
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=29.0