Coolant problems - head gasket??

[RFC84 0]

Need some help! Yesterday coolant light was flashing on dash so checked the level and its was far to low so topped it up. No sign of leaks, checked oil dipstick and cap...no white mayo. The engine was cold when i did this.

Today on the way home from work, light started flashing again so got home and checked coolant. It was really low again! No signs of leaks...checked cap...mayo white cap this time....dipstick was fine. This time the engine was hot.

The engine is not overheating though, temp gauge stays halfway on short and long jouneys.

Any ideas?? Thanks.

[RFC84 0]

Someone on ed38 mentioned that it could be the thermostat housing thats causing the leak, has anybody else had this??

[pat_986 0]

Yes, think I have the same prob.

I'm not sure if its a bodge, but I put some rad weld into the system, and all seems to be OK since then. think I also read that the VR's have a common prob with the oil cooler sandwich plate leaking, which in my limited knowledge, could let water into the block?

[thegoth 5]

stat housing leaking is very common but wouldn't account for the mayo :-(

however checking the oil cooler is certainly a must before jumping to conclusions about head gasket problems. do you have excessive steam, water even, coming out the back?

a few peeps are going to throw their hands up in horror over the use of rad weld in a VR but I'll stop on the fence.

[pat_986 0]

stat housing leaking is very common but wouldn't account for the mayo :-(

however checking the oil cooler is certainly a must before jumping to conclusions about head gasket problems. do you have excessive steam' date=' water even, coming out the back?

a few peeps are going to throw their hands up in horror over the use of rad weld in a VR but I'll stop on the fence.

[/quote']

Well, I did wonder about the rad weld, why is it potentially so bad?

Also, I have some steam out the exhaust, but only when cold, what does that mean? (sorry to hijack!!!)

[thegoth 5]

some of the water channels in the VR block are narrow, apparently, and you risk blocking them.

Water getting in through a head gasket ends up coming out of the back. well it has to go somewhere dunnit. A little steam is normal but I have seen water pouring out of an exhaust just before the HG went ,big time.

[pat_986 0]

Thats useful, cheers

[RFC84 0]

It has abit of steam when i first start it up. It normally goes after a few minutes though.

I've heard the oil cooler mentioned before, where exactly is it and how would i check it?

[Ed 2]

I have similar problem! i have a coolant leak some were! i keep finding coolant splashed all over the gearbox an over the manifold! But it only seems to leak when i boot it an its warm! if i tootle along its fine!

[RFC84 0]

Just been out in the car, got it up to good running temp, parked on a slight hill and left the engine running......its dripping!! its quite alot so at least its not the head gasket!! It seems to be leaking near the thermostat area, is the any pipes near that area that could be leaking or will it be the thermostat??

Would i be better getting it on a ramp to have a look underneath?

[thegoth 5]

that is good news. the stat housing itself is a bit of a weak point.

all the part numbers are in this thread http://www.vr6oc.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?132303

[RFC84 0]

Will i need all these parts?

main thermostat housing - 021 121 117A - £22.45 + vat

seal to join to head - 021 121 119A - £2.28 + vat

connector to water pipe - 021 121 133D - £9.45 + vat

connector to pipe seal - N101 392 01 - £1.48 + vat

thermostat cover - 021 121 121A - £9.45 + vat

thermostat (80deg) - 075 121 113D - £11.50 + vat

thermostat seal - N901 368 02 - £2.15 + vat

temp sensor seals - N903 168 02 - £0.87 +vat

[thegoth 5]

I would recommend changing the whole shabang unless you can isolate the exact joint / part which is leaking but even then fixing that might break it elsewhere.

you should be able to reuse your old thermostat but you will need either 2 or 3 temp sensor seals depeneding on whether you have air con or not.

entire kits often appear on ebay so that'll be worth a look.

P.s. I've deleted your post is the numbers thread ;-)

[Ed 2]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190288376544

duno if this kits any good!? think this is possibly what im going to get for mine!

[thegoth 5]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190288376544

duno if this kits any good!? think this is possibly what im going to get for mine!

seems v good value as it includes a crack pipe as well. i think you'll still need this seal ( seal to join to head - 021 121 119A - £2.28 + vat ) as I can't see it listed and it isn't an O ring.

[RFC84 0]

Ok cheers, think i'll order that kit then + the seal.

Is the kit quite easy to fit? The old man is a mechanic so i'll see if he can do it! lol

[thegoth 5]

if I can, anyone can and I did :-)

[RFC84 0]

Good stuff....better go buy my dad a few pints and drop a few hints then :-p

[thegoth 5]

good quality allen keys and plenty of plusgas on the bolts before hand will help loads. if things get tricky take out the battery to give youself/dad ;-) more space.

Do you still have the original spring clips on the hoses? If so you'll need some jubilee clips as well.

[RFC84 0]

Thanks for the help...i'm gonna do it myself but get the old man to help out.

The part numbers you mentioned, can i use them on gsf website?

[thegoth 5]

they have their own codes but should have some way of converting from VW #s but I doubt they'd do the seal as it's such a vr specific item.

[RFC84 0]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190288376544

duno if this kits any good!? think this is possibly what im going to get for mine!

seems v good value as it includes a crack pipe as well. i think you'll still need this seal ( seal to join to head - 021 121 119A - £2.28 + vat ) as I can't see it listed and it isn't an O ring.

Where can i get the seal mentioned above? cant seem to find it :@

[thegoth 5]

a vw dealer

or a ford dealer where it's part number is 1022692 - 1.51 + vat

[The Monk 50]

Several possiblilities...yes I am aware I'm jumping in after you may have it sorted, still.

Your expansion tank can develop a hairline crack around the join, halfway up. I have that problem, might explain the water appearing after booting it...pressure increases somewhat in the system with high revs.

Mayo can be condensation also.

Steam in exhaust gases for a very short period is usually condensation caused when the exhaust cools the night before when it's been used......can be seen on any car early morning when people are heading to work.

Check pipe quality, rad and anything else with coolant before jumping to HG worries, because I've seen the result of HG failure, causes smoke and steam on biblical proportions....as in turning your street into a fog filled horror story.....