Headgasket Symptoms

[dom.joy 87]

What symptoms would I be looking at if exhaust gases were mixing with the coolant?

 

I have lost some coolant over a long-ish drive and cant seem to put my finger on an external leak.

The car hasnt overheated, I monitor both oil and coolant temps.

The oil filler cap looks like this after a short drive, coolant up to temp oil not. (could be condensation):

 

I havent checked the dipstick yet but will after work.

 

Through the bottle the coolant appears to have an orange/brown layer on top, again I havent checked as only just turned the engine off.

 

I know the best thing to do is take it to a garage but I am not able to until Thursday.

Any ideas other than HG?

 

Thanks

Dom

Edited May 20, 2014 by dom.joy

[MJ Vr6 79]

I use to have this layer on cold mornings.. Condensation.
But coolant was pink and dipstick was normal.
If your having signs in the coolant tank, Id keep an eye on it.
May just be H/G.
Have you ever done a Coolant flush and replaced??
 

[Lukey. 381]

Oil cooler is another place that could be leaking

[MJ Vr6 79]

Oil cooler is another place that could be leaking

I use to find that quite a bit on my Mk2 16valvers that I had..

[dom.joy 87]

I replaced the rad and did a full coolant flush within the last 6months, not exactly sure when.

The oil cooler is something that I need to look at but have been waiting as I would want to get the whole front end off but have air con that needs draining

[MJ Vr6 79]

Check the Dipstick as well. 
This maybe a case of early signs, so nothing may actually show on Dipstick..
Just keep an eye on things, as Lukey said maybe cooler.

[dom.joy 87]

Check the Dipstick as well. 

This maybe a case of early signs, so nothing may actually show on Dipstick..

Just keep an eye on things, as Lukey said maybe cooler.

 

Okay thanks. Will check after work and get the opinion of a couple of mates before I can get to a garage for a sniffer test.

Can the oil cooler be changed without removing the whole front end?Seems quite tight for space

[MJ Vr6 79]

Id remove it mate... Easier.

[dom.joy 87]

Id remove it mate... Easier.

 

Yeah just means getting the air con system drained/refilled

[Bealieboy 1,625]

I have a small amount of scum on my filler cap but only after a short run. I never see it when I check the oil before driving, nor on the dipstick. I just put mine down to a touch of condensation.

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[dom.joy 87]

Just checked over at lunch.

Coolant is at correct level and is pink.

No mayo on oil cap

Dipstick is spot on.

 

Hopefully just condensation and coolant level dropped into heater matrix or something.

[Therusterman 59]

Looks to be some condensation. One way to be sure the head gasket is ok would be to conduct a compression test. 

 

Regarding the oil cooler, I've just replaced mine over the weekend. I would strongly recommend taking the front end off. The amount of effort and time required to get to the coolant lines running to the oil cooler, let alone the limited space, would be made up by taking the front end off and having perfect access;

 

With front on;

 

 

With front off;

 

 

I know its a pain having to get the air conditioning re-gassed, but its also a good opportunity to replace the a/c drier aswell. 

[daveyboy 897]

I done my oil cooler at Christmas time and I tried with front end on and I just made my life hard. It's an absolute doddle when you've got the front end off mate

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[dom.joy 87]

I done my oil cooler at Christmas time and I tried with front end on and I just made my life hard. It's an absolute doddle when you've got the front end off mate

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Thanks for the advice guys. I want to freshen up some cooling components at some stage, crack pipe, thermostat housing etc and maybe fit an external oil cooler as the intention is to do track days so will maybe get it all done at once with the front end off. 

[Lukey. 381]

ha yea i would definitely say, if you are going to remove the oil cooler hose attached to the crack pipe. get a new pipe too, it will probably crumble as soon as you look at it!

[daveyboy 897]

As Lukey said you should replace the pipe from the oil cooler to the cracks pipe and I also replaced the one from the cooler to the block as well. You can get them both off eBay for £15 delivered

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[Lukey. 381]

Yea I left those 2 off cos he said he'd probably go external.

[daveyboy 897]

Would they not attach to the sandwich plate tho Lukey? Or do you just bypass it?

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[Lukey. 381]

It no longer has an interaction with the cooler does it? You can get stainless crack pipes that don't have a takeoff for external oil cooler applications.

[dom.joy 87]

So if I went external I just plug or join up the two outlets on the crack pipe?

[Lukey. 381]

It depends on whether you decide to retain the existing oil cooler, (which is really a heat exchanger) or go just for the external cooler.

 

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2138601-External-Oil-Cooler-DIY-for-MK3-VR6-s-w-Earl-s-parts

[dom.joy 87]

I wasnt going to, I was going to get a sandwich plate with a thermostat in.

Is it advised to keep the original then?

[Lukey. 381]

If I did it I would

[dom.joy 87]

Okay cool cheers.

I'm booked onto the afternoon track session at Players Classic so will see what temps the oil reaches and go from there I think

[Therusterman 59]

Sounds your best bet. From what I can gather you shouldn't need an external oil cooler if oil temps are maintained below 110 degrees Celsius. Someone correct me if i'm wrong though.