GTI 8V coolant misbehaviour

[SoundillusioN]

It doesn't seem to be a headgasket problem as the oil is fresh after 400 miles, no sign of gunk etc!

That part isn't necessarily true. Headgaskets fail in many ways. Some fail with no signs visible in the oil what so ever. One way they can fail is when the gasket fails between a cylinder and a water channel. This can cause coolant to leak into the cylinder, causing the engine to 'burn off' the coolant, so you'll lose coolant without and visbile leaks. That would also cause air locks and a pressurised cooling system and you'd still see nothing in your oil.

That's a good point, I had a similar failure in my old MK1 cabby...  No problems with the water, no problems with the oil, but every 10 miles or so she blew a coolant hose off, kept putting it back on and bleeding the system of air.  I realised I had a bigger problem when one of the hoses burst!... tuned out it was the head gasket, one of the cylinders was pressurising the coolant system through a tiny crack.

[jackytwoshoes]

hmmm this is worrying news.

How does this sound for a plan of action:

Replace Cap
Flush coolant
Expel air locks
Cross fingers...

If that fails, think about head gasket. How much does it cost to get a gasket replaced anyway? I've always known it's bad news but never really known how bad in terms of $$$$$$

[SoundillusioN]

hmmm this is worrying news.

How does this sound for a plan of action:

Replace Cap
Flush coolant
Expel air locks
Cross fingers...

If that fails, think about head gasket. How much does it cost to get a gasket replaced anyway? I've always known it's bad news but never really known how bad in terms of $$$$$$

Last time one went on mine I did it with a mate but the last time I payed someone to do an 8v head gasket it cost me £250 including having the head skimmed and that was cheap.   

[Sam]

TBH mate I have always said if the head gasket went on my golf i would try doing it myself before paying somone to do it. Just find all the info you can and set aside alot of time so you aint rushing to get it done. That is of course only if it comes to that

[jackytwoshoes]

Yeah, I'll try all else first!
I would have a pop at it myself but the problem is I don't have a space under shelter to work. Therefore I'm at the mercy of the Glasgow weather...   

[Sam]

Glasgow you say? There is a guy on here called ben_lessani who lives in glasgow and he is pretty damn handy with a spanner. Have words

[jackytwoshoes]

Yeah? You think if the worst came to the worst he'd offer some advice/help me out?

[SoundillusioN]

Yeah? You think if the worst came to the worst he'd offer some advice/help me out?

Get your haynes and read this for an idea of whats involved. 

[jackytwoshoes]

*shudder*

[SoundillusioN]

*shudder*

Better than *poop* I suppose.