Help!

[mutant]

Right, the valver is due a service/mot in october.  Last night i noticed a gearbox oil leak, shouldn't be too major, i can just keep it topped up.  Problem is, it's leaking oil too (its spitting it out of the exhaust if that helps, all over the bootlid).  What im wondering is, would it be cheaper to get the bottom end swapped for a 2.0 9A (been quoted £700 for the engine and the labour cost) or would it be cheaper to get my local mechanic to find the oil leak, and cross my fingers that its something cheaply fixable?  To be honest it couldnt have happened at a worse time, im upto my eyeballs in debt and havent got much money to spend on the valver til at least early next year.  Why do bad things always happen to me?  Hmph 

[Gambit]

alot depends on the condition of the 2.0 - it might need rebuilt

you could rebuild your own bottom end for about £300-400 in parts & know that its gonna last you another 100k mile

where is it leaking gearbox oil from? driveshaft seals?

[mutant]

I did originally want a 2.0 conversion anyway, although not until next summer.  My main problem is lack of funds.  I'm not sure whether it will be cost effective to find the leak, especially after having it stripped it turns out nothing can be done.  Is it worth just keeping it topped up on 15w/40 until i have a bit of spare money to splash out on it?  I can't rebuild it myself, I don't have the time, knowledge or facilities to do this, so it will have to be a garage jobby anyway. 

Not sure on where gearbox is leaking from, my mate spotted it last night as he was having a general look at the car, just went out and bought some oil from it.  Me looking would be useless, I know jack about cars.

[16v Matt]

You sure oil is coming out of the zaust?  Sure its not just leaking from the gearbox & blowing underneath the car & ending up on your boot?

Also if it was coming out the zaust it'd be smoking like a good un

[mutant]

Not sure where it's coming from.  I've only noticed smoke once, that was white, a few tiny clouds whilst idling, thats it.  No oil patches seem to be visible under the car.  I'm really stuck as to what to do, I want to fix it but have no money, or not for a complete engine rebuild anyway.   

[16v Matt]

Don't think its at re build stage mate
How much engine oil is it using?

Sounds to me like you've only got a leak somwhere, at worst your stem seal or valve guides are fooked if its smoking on idle.   White smoke is more likley to be steam, which is pretty normal.

If it were me, I'd steam clean the engine bay so it will be obvious if there are any leaks.  Get it up on axle stands & run her for a bit, whlie its runing keep checking the engine from underneath & above & try & spot where its leaking from & take it from there.  I should'nt be in a rush to chuck your hard earned away mate.

[mutant]

Ok, thanks for your help.  Gunna get my mate to sit behind me later, see if theres any smoke when I boot it.  The head was rebuilt about 30,000 ago, so I doubt it would be that?  I've had it less than a month, and put 3 litres of oil in it.  Doesn't appear to be oil in with the water or coolant.  How do I go about steam cleaning the engine bay, as I was going to give it a clean over to aid me in my leak search anyway    Rebuilding isn't an option anyway really, not until I can afford a 9A lump anyway, my plan was just to buy some sh*te oil and just keep it topped up if worst comes to worst.  It's going in the garage in a fortnight anyway for the MOT and Cam belt doing, will the mechanic (Local garage, not VW specialist or anything fancy)  be able to find the leak without stripping it?

[mutant]

Looks like valve stem seals, small puffs of blue smoke when giving it some, head was rebuilt 3 years ago though.  Looks like im gunna be driving it nice and slow for a while

[takethefifth]

It'll be piston rings if it's while you are booting it.

[mutant]

Is this a big (read: expensive) job?