essextony 0 Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 hello. ive got a 92 vr6 golf with 118000 on the clock. i bought it a month ago for 1285 with full history and in good nick. anyway for a couple of weeks its been using water, i do about 600 miles a week and its due a service but im topping up about half a litre a day i cant see any signs of a leak in the engine bay and there are no signs of water in the engine oil. the engine hasnt shown any signs of overheating either, the oils temps roughly 104 on mways and 90ish around town. ive just started noticeing some odd noises from the engine area when sitting at idle after its warmed up (grumbling noises). im confused as the waters got to be going somewhere! any ideas peeps? Link to post Share on other sites
mike 6 Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 the coolant pipes? had a few holes in one of mine...600 miles a week! thats like 2 months for me Link to post Share on other sites
Phat VR6 3 Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 Could be going out the exhaust... Does your coolant pipes get hard after a long drive.. Temp gauge doesn't move atall?Ive got a 1.8 mk3 atm and loose about the same amount of water. My head guakets gone between the coolant and cylinder bore causing it to pressureise the coolant system and guessing some coolant gets burned up aswell..So check if your coolant pipes are getting hardCheck all your coolant hoses for leaksCheck your head gaskets not leaking visablythermostate housingheater matrixLots of things can leak mate but if you can't find any then it could be your head gasket Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 thats interesting phat vr, my temp gauge only moves when stationary and i do notice water from the exhuast. what does that mean? i thought it was just condence. could i pour dye in my header tank to see if it comes out the exhaust? Link to post Share on other sites
Phat VR6 3 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 white smoke from the exhaust even after its hot--- loosing water with no signs of leaks---gauge moves when stationary. More than lighty your head gausket is gone Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 no the white smoke goes when its warm. and the engines as smooth as you like. Link to post Share on other sites
gav_113 0 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 check both bottom corners of the radiator for leaks on the end caps.. Link to post Share on other sites
ardandy 0 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Have you put cardboard under the car to see if theres any drips? Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 no i was planning that but the rain made that impossibe. i just went to check the water and its down to about 30mm below minimum, at about 12.30 today it was roughly 20mm above minimum Link to post Share on other sites
Phat VR6 3 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 without the car moving? Does the coolant hoses get harder after its been driven? Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 yeah without moving. the coolant pipes stay soft, i checked after my 50 mile run to work this morning. im so confused as the car runs and drives fine!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Lea 4 Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 is the water pump weaping check it for play its on the drivers side of the engine Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Lea 4 Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 or pos the electronic pump on the other side of the engine check that to Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 right theres a black plastic unit on the battery side of the engine just under the little blue and yellow boxes. theres a bit of water sitting under that. is that a pump then? Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,456 Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Sounds like you have a leaky thermostat housing, they tend to warp with the heat over time.replace the housing + seals should see you right mate.main thermostat housing - 021 121 117A - £22.45 + vatseal to join to head - 021 121 119A - £2.28 + vatconnector to water pipe - 021 121 133D - £9.45 + vatconnector to pipe seal - N101 392 01 - £1.48 + vatthermostat cover - 021 121 121A - £9.45 + vatthermostat (80deg) - 075 121 113D - £11.50 + vatthermostat seal - N901 368 02 - £2.15 + vattemp sensor seals - N903 168 02 - £0.87 +vat Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 cheers mate thats a great help, hopefully that does it. is it an easy diy job? im a plumber so seals and the like shouldnt be a prop and ive got a basic understanding of mechanics. how much should it be at a garage if i dont take it on myself? Link to post Share on other sites
Bobtrude 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Its an easy job. Just a little crowded down there. Be carefull not to shread the allen bolts . . . use wd40. Link to post Share on other sites
thegoth 5 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Its an easy job. Just a little crowded down there. Be carefull not to shread the allen bolts . . . use wd40. removing the battery gives you extra space to work. And is a must if you do shread the allen bolts and need to drill them out :$ Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,456 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 be carful of the crack pipe that runs across the front of your block.... i know a few ppl, including myself who have damaged the pipe while doing the job.Pete Link to post Share on other sites
philbatesvr6 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 iv got to do the same thing on mine now i had it on a ramp last nite and my oil cooler is leaking and the thermost housing is leaking as well loliv seen metal crack pipses for £75 does any one no how much a plastic one is from vw ? Link to post Share on other sites
thegoth 5 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 iv got to do the same thing on mine now i had it on a ramp last nite and my oil cooler is leaking and the thermost housing is leaking as well loliv seen metal crack pipses for £75 does any one no how much a plastic one is from vw ?I asked ford and it was £40+ plus vat. But I've seen lower figures quoted since though. Link to post Share on other sites
philbatesvr6 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 how come ford and not vw are they cheaper ( i no the vr6 is fitted to the galx)i normal use tps and either staff or trade discount Link to post Share on other sites
thegoth 5 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I used to live 5mins walk from a Ford Dealer whereas my nearest VW as 10miles away.Ford were fractionally cheaper when it came to getting my thermo housing parts. But as I say I'm not sure about the crack pipe. Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 thanks for all your help and advice people. im gonna take it to a garage i use to confirm and do the work as im not overly confident about doing it and being so busy at work i havent got time really. ill let you know how it go's. cheers. Link to post Share on other sites
essextony 0 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 update on what happend! it was the thermostat housing that was leaking afterall (thanks to those who pointed that out) i noticed a tiny jet of water spraying out under revs. anyway took it to a garage near me gave them the parts list they said the parts would be £90 + 2 hours labour £197 in total (fair enough i thought). so i pick it up and all seemed well, when i got to work i had a look and saw that the coolant was below minimum but the cap was loose so i thought id lost some on the drive to work, then i noticed a small drip from the blue box and the blanking plug connected the housing, so i phone the garage and they said they would sort it out the next day. on the drive home i took it easy when all of a sudden on the m25 my coolant warning flashes so i get on the hard shoulder kill the engine and take a look and theres steam everywhere, no coolant left at all (fuming). i get the aa to tow me to the garage, keys through the door. i phoned them 1st thing to bollock them, i had to hire a car£70) to go to work. they phoned later to say i had a split in the coolant hose so another £110 + vat and the car would be ready saturday. so saturday comes and they say the cars not gonna be ready till monday due to a power cut. do you think its likely for a hose to split the day after the other work was done? Link to post Share on other sites
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