Golf gti 2.0 petrol

[Oops gti]

Hi everyone I'm a complete noob to the golf. But having seen a really nice one at the right price I couldn't help myself. Rushing in head first I didn't do the proper checks on the vehicle. Now I went out this morning to check oil levels and such and there's all mayonnaise substance under the oil filler cap and the water in the coolant bottle looks very rusty. This has me very worried. But after speaking to 5 different garages this morning some are saying that these engines breathe heavy so it could just be condensation and to flush the engine change filters and oil, others tell me this is the very worst thing you can do. So as you can imagine I'm bricking it. So my question is has any one else experienced such a thing and what was your outcome plus approximate prices. Sorry for going on. Thanks in advance. Golf gti 2.0 2001 petrol

[mike1990]

Get the car compression tested and test the coolant for hydrocarbons

[daz veedub]

Clean the gunk inc breather pipes and take it for a good run first if its not had an oil and filter/ coolant change for a while get that done also, pretty commen on the 2.0ltrs so dont panic yet

[Oops gti]

Appreciate the help thanks. I'll get these things done ASAP. Also given the car has done 115k what sort of things should I start looking to replace. It doesn't feel as if it's had a particularly hard life but it's obviously not a young car.  I'll mostly be using it for my 20 mile round trip to work. Any suggestions would be great. And again thanks for your help.

[daz veedub]

What service history does it have

[northeast_gti-t]

Appreciate the help thanks. I'll get these things done ASAP. Also given the car has done 115k what sort of things should I start looking to replace. It doesn't feel as if it's had a particularly hard life but it's obviously not a young car.  I'll mostly be using it for my 20 mile round trip to work. Any suggestions would be great. And again thanks for your help.

Previously owned one with the apk engine code and yes these are prone to the mayo symptoms especially in colder temps and short runs as the weather hopefully warms this problem should lessen with a few longer runs also these are  prone to using oil also,i would do all the usual stuff inspect/replace front/rear discs/pads,full service of all fluids filters etc and also change the timing belt and tensioner whilst your doing that replace the water pump too these are easy jobs on the 2.0slow if historys missing regarding servicing then timing belt is a precaution if you don't know its age or previous replacement

[Oops gti]

There's no history with the car unfortunately because the guy and his son owned a motorbike store and so serviced the vehicle themselves. But just an update the car was flushed out as recommended and unfortunately whilst on a run it was billowing white smoke, so confirming the head gasket. Have been quoted £550 by an independent garage. He seems fairly confident so I'm happy. Thanks everyone for your replies I will be back on here for sure.

[Wayne]

Have been quoted £550 by an independent garage. He seems fairly confident so I'm happy. Thanks everyone for your replies I will be back on here for sure.

That seems expensive, I would try another garage for a quote.