another headgasket/coolant loss thread

[xAx]

Alright for the last week or so my coolant has been vanishing. as soon as i turn on the engine the red light will start flashing at me on most of the time.

If i let the car idle for a few minutes and take the cap off the expansion tank the water will surge out and not stop until i shut the engine off.

Now the water is browner than the Ganges, and i can see where its leaked from the expansion tank and from the manifold on the end of the cylinder head in the past, but ive not seen it leak from there after warming it up. there is steam from the exhaust, and when i put some throttle on and take my foot off water sprays from the exhaust when i release the peddle. also the exhaust is black all round the bottom, and if i polish it its black again in about 2 days.

So GTI forum, what nuggets of wisdom can you offer me

[Horney]

Compression test, collant pressure test, check Oil Cooler for failure.

Nick

[xAx]

Compression test, collant pressure test, check Oil Cooler for failure.

Nick

How would i check the oil cooler for failure?

[xAx]

I forgot to put its a 90 Digifant

[Conker]

Mine has got very similar issues although its a 16v'er. I plumped straight for the head gasket (of which I'm half way through completing), mainly due to the amount of steam coming out the exhaust and the fact that water was not lost overnight.

Having gone down the HG route, I would advise that you be patient and get the tests done first. The HG is a pain in the ass if the manifold nuts are rusty and you will need to buy some special tools e.g. spline bits, torque wrench etc. (that I didn't already have anyway).

Here's the thread for my [similar] issue: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=77596.0

I'll let you know how I get on.