Abi 0 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Tonight i was brought home by the RAC... Who say that my headgasket has gone... and i'm wondering if it has ?? so my car is a 97,000 miles 1997 VR6 Highline.... Full VW History and fully serviced around 2000miles ago Problem tonight.. i had driven the car for around 25 mins then stopped for 15 mins and then drove again for 10 mins and then stopped again for around 15mins... and everything was fine and then drove the car for around 5 mins.,..water temp went through the roof and the temp light flashed.. stopped the car.. popped the bonnet... to see what was what....no water leaks... water was boiling in the header tank... let the car cool down a bit.. checked everything... started the car again with no problem and sat happy at idle.. oil and water temp fine... but put the car under load and the water temp just goes through the roof....So what do you think.????? Link to post Share on other sites
spindat45 0 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Hi Abi. Any signs of oil in the water or water in the oil when cold? Before going down the head gasket route I'd make sure that the fans are cutting in and out once the engine is at running temperature. It will take a while but should they should kick in by the time your oil temp reaches 80 degrees and water temp is half way. If they are then try changing the thermostat and housing. It may be stuck shut, preventing the coolant from circulating. Next thing would be water pump but less likely as you would probably have noticed an increase in coolant temp over a longer period of time. I recently diagnosed a cracked/leaking thermostat housing for a member on here who had been told by a garage that he needed a new head gasket. It may well be that but go through a process of elimination before going down the head gasket route.Kevin Link to post Share on other sites
tjsmudger 2 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 i defo had a head gasket problem, car had service history, took it to my pals, who ran the relevant tests and diagnosed the head gasket problem. i bought a 2nd hand engine for 400 with only 43000 miles on the clock, the car had lived its life on jersey, had a small prang and was made a write off(to my benefit) its in the garage now as we speak being fitted. good luck in resolving yor problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Abi 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi Abi. Any signs of oil in the water or water in the oil when cold? Before going down the head gasket route I'd make sure that the fans are cutting in and out once the engine is at running temperature. It will take a while but should they should kick in by the time your oil temp reaches 80 degrees and water temp is half way. If they are then try changing the thermostat and housing. It may be stuck shut' date=' preventing the coolant from circulating. Next thing would be water pump but less likely as you would probably have noticed an increase in coolant temp over a longer period of time. I recently diagnosed a cracked/leaking thermostat housing for a member on here who had been told by a garage that he needed a new head gasket. It may well be that but go through a process of elimination before going down the head gasket route.Kevin[/quote']With regards to signs of oil and water mix? I have checked the Oil Cap and no signs of mixture… not sure where else to check ? The Fans kicks in ok…not sure when it kicks in i will have to check... I sometimes thought it was on to much.. and it does run on after I have turned off the engine.. but I have always thought it was because I have been driving it hard.. but I think the only reason I noticed was none of the other cars do this.. but they are either aircooled flat four or flat six or a brand new gt sport golf The last two weeks I have been only been doing short journeys couple of miles at a time so I don’t think I would really noticed an increase in water temp.. I did let the car tick over and could see water movement in the header tank so I recon the water pump but didn’t check the water movement under load ?My fear is to run the engine and cause more damage… Link to post Share on other sites
Abi 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 i defo had a head gasket problem' date=' car had service history, took it to my pals, who ran the relevant tests and diagnosed the head gasket problem. i bought a 2nd hand engine for 400 with only 43000 miles on the clock, the car had lived its life on jersey, had a small prang and was made a write off(to my benefit) its in the garage now as we speak being fitted. good luck in resolving yor problem.[/quote']That sounds like a great bargain... hopefully mine won't come to that...but i might start looking to see whats out there Link to post Share on other sites
Damo 85 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi abiI had exactly the same issues as you and it turned out to be the thermostat stuck shut, not letting any coolant through. I'd look into getting that sorted as they aint too expensive... with you having no water / oil mixing its unlikely to be the headgasket tbh Link to post Share on other sites
Abi 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi abiI had exactly the same issues as you and it turned out to be the thermostat stuck shut' date=' not letting any coolant through. I'd look into getting that sorted as they aint too expensive... with you having no water / oil mixing its unlikely to be the headgasket tbh[/quote']That sounds promising.... I do hope its just the thermostat Link to post Share on other sites
Karr-Man 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 warm up the engine till the rad fans come on then feel what temperature the top hose to the radiator is... if its still cold or only vaguely warm thats an indication that u have a thermostat problem Link to post Share on other sites
ingham 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 if your replacing the thermostat i would recommend you fit the lower temp one from neuspeed , Link to post Share on other sites
thegoth 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 if your replacing the thermostat i would recommend you fit the lower temp one from neuspeed ' date=' [/quote']and be prepared to change the entire housing as it may crack as you remove the 'stat. the plastic doesn't age well with the heat. Link to post Share on other sites
Abi 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Thanks Guys.... I've spoken very nicely with the garage I use and the car is being squeezed in next week..... so hopefully it will be sorted quickly and it will be the simple thermostat fix.... Fingers crossed...I'll let you know how it gets on.... Link to post Share on other sites
Abi 0 Posted January 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Abi is one happy lady.... Golf is back up running.... :-d :-d Its was the thermostat so cheap repair and one very happy lady Link to post Share on other sites
thegoth 5 Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 very glad to hear that Abi. Makes you wonder where the RAC get their technicians from *-) Link to post Share on other sites
Damo 85 0 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 LOL @ TheGothNice one abi, glad you got it sorted Link to post Share on other sites
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