Author Topic: Head gasket gone?  (Read 2077 times)

Offline Decepticons

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Head gasket gone?
« on: 13 February 2013, 16:00 »
Hi
I recently opened my oil filler cap as the oil just needed a touch off a top up and was shocked to see the dreaded mayo substance. I then checked the water reservoir the level looked ok but looked like a bit of froth.
By this time I was pretty pissed off couldn't believe my luck, I started the car and there was slight smoke but it was cold and wasn't excessive and cleared. I took the car for a drive and it went to 90 ok heaters hot, no performance lose no smoke at all when floored. I looked online and the mayo could be the short journey thing and I rarely drive car when i do its like a 2 mile trip. The froth thing though make me believe its the head gasket.
Is there anyway to test using VAG COM or best to get a sniff test. Bloody ill in bed so cant do much at the moment :(
Any advice or tips guys? Got such a bad feeling its the bloody head gasket  :sick:

Offline rockmonkey69

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #1 on: 13 February 2013, 17:00 »
Find out if any local garages do a compression test.

Offline Decepticons

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #2 on: 13 February 2013, 17:03 »
Ok would I lose performance though is the compression is bad? Ill ring about once this man flu buggers off

Offline rockmonkey69

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #3 on: 13 February 2013, 17:21 »
That depends how bad, typically it would have to be pretty severe for the average driver to notice a loss of performance. That is not to say there isn't a performance loss. This is something which should be seen to and I would advise against driving the car until it is diagnosed. You might well be lucky and just have a leaking oil cooler - allowing the oil and water to mix.

Offline Decepticons

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #4 on: 13 February 2013, 17:44 »
Yeah I read about oil coolers but dont think thats it. Yeah car doesnt get driven much and the garage it like a 5 min drive so Ill ring them and see of they can do a compression test cheers for advice mate

Offline EsSeX dAn

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #5 on: 13 February 2013, 18:45 »
the nayo looking stuff might be where it rarely gets used. does it use water atall or blow it out the overflow in the head tank? other thing to look for is if the heaters go cold when you put your foot down the gasket may be leaking. best thing is have a sniff test as this will tell you if theres exhaust funes in the coolant. what engine?
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Offline Nino

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #6 on: 13 February 2013, 18:57 »
Also wouldn't there be blue smoke coming out the back when he floors it?

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Offline Decepticons

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #7 on: 13 February 2013, 19:04 »
the nayo looking stuff might be where it rarely gets used. does it use water atall or blow it out the overflow in the head tank? other thing to look for is if the heaters go cold when you put your foot down the gasket may be leaking. best thing is have a sniff test as this will tell you if theres exhaust funes in the coolant. what engine?

Water level seemed the same but keeping eye on it, the heaters seemed fine when I did boot it. Yeah mate think sniff test and compression test is on the cards. It an AUM 1.8T
Cheers

Offline rockmonkey69

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #8 on: 13 February 2013, 19:15 »
Headgasket failure might produce blue or/and white smoke, but a glazed bore and poor piston rings could also produce blue smoke as could leaking valve stem seals or a leaking oil cooler. It might not smoke much if the headgasket isn't too bad either. The sniff and compression tests are more sensitive and serve as a better means to diagnose headgasket problems.
« Last Edit: 13 February 2013, 19:26 by rockmonkey69 »

Offline Decepticons

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Re: Head gasket gone?
« Reply #9 on: 13 February 2013, 19:31 »
Deffo no blue smoke, bit smoke when its started but normal I think doesnt spray water from exhaust when reved. I think the only way is by biting the bullet and getting the test done. If it is the head gasket i am doomed :( I wouldnt know where to go from there I wont be able to afford to fix it
Cheers for all your advice chaps Ill keep you posted when I get the tests done  :sad: