is it a bird, is it a plane or is it a head gasket??????

[benji mk2]

if the sniff test & compression test are ok, it aint the head gasket.  You probably just got 2e2 issues, its the right time o year for em to start playin up, check out my 2e2 FAQ

  whoops, bit late now!!!  Heads just about ready to come off, just gotta get the right spline tool! Was thinking that as it was using water it must be the head. Guess i'll find out tomorrow!  In a way i kinda hope it is the head now..............   joy

[rubjonny]

ah well never mind!  You'll probablyt find all the coolant channels caked in crap anyway, mine were in a bad way.  Do the inlet o'ring at the same time, and if you can stretch to it fit a full GTI exhaust system from the manifold back, trust me its worth it

[benji mk2]

well i got the head off this morning and it is shot, just the smallest of cracks but its enough! The combustion chamber on number 1 is almost spotless, good old bit of steam cleaning i guess     Off to get it skimmed tomorrow morning!

[rubjonny]

get em to check it for flatness before skimming, if the engine hasn't overheated the head probably hasn't warped and so wont need to be skimmed