Mi16 Head Gasket Failure Possibly

[philfingers 5]

Well finally got my 205 Mi16 running and MOTd. Moved forward at a fast rate of knots as my daily transport A6 2.5 TDi failed to start last week (anyone any experiences with these, 222k on the clock, spins on starter but won't fire, belts all ok- ran until the night before with no issues) and I need it fore the 80 mile daily commute.

 

So the Mi. Gave it a good run out last night to watch the Telford MC Moonbeam rally. Ran well all night, not leaks, no issues. Oil pressure rock solid at 70psi at 4k. Never got close to getting hot and runs a mocal cooler too. Anyway after about 100miles of hard driving I got home and noticed steam out the bonnet, opened the bonnet for a quick look and coolant everywhere (engine bay has just been sprayed white). Yet to take a proper look but not obvious leaks and hoses are all very good condition. Will top up will water later and then do a compression test but if it's worst case and it needs a head gasket will I get one on a sunday?

 

How likely is it the head will need skimming/ work? or do the gaskets just go periodically. The motor was rebuilt a few years ago and looked generally in good condition when I fitted it.

 

What sort of compression figures should I see with it warm, 5 cranks and TB fully open?

 

Miserably with 2 cars now u/s,

 

Phil

[Goliath 94]

Compression wise you should see about 150psi or a bit more on a healthy engine, the main thing is if they are all the same, if you get say 120psi across all 4 then that is fine.

 

From how you have described it though it doesn't sound like a HG failure at all to me. Sounds like a simple coolant leak from somewhere, you just gotta find it now!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I'd also be on the lookout for a leak somewhere.

 

As for the Audi, get a can of easystart and see if it will run when you spray this into the inlet. If it will then this eliminates any other mechanical problem and it is something to do with fuelling. Let me know if you find out what the problem is as I run an A4 2.5 TDI quattro avant as my everyday car.

[philfingers 5]

Compression wise you should see about 150psi or a bit more on a healthy engine, the main thing is if they are all the same, if you get say 120psi across all 4 then that is fine.

 

From how you have described it though it doesn't sound like a HG failure at all to me. Sounds like a simple coolant leak from somewhere, you just gotta find it now!

 

I hope it's something simple. I've been on this months. Seems odd it took 100 hard miles to show up tho. Looks like it's all spewed out the expansion tank cover, which is fitted ok and is in good condition. Thermostat is fine too

[philfingers 5]

I'd also be on the lookout for a leak somewhere.

 

As for the Audi, get a can of easystart and see if it will run when you spray this into the inlet. If it will then this eliminates any other mechanical problem and it is something to do with fuelling. Let me know if you find out what the problem is as I run an A4 2.5 TDI quattro avant as my everyday car.

 

Yes that's an idea. I just got a Fault Code reader off ebay, so going to go and try that in a minute. £25 ish seemed reasonable. I have an Autodata CD which is handy. Other than belts I've never had to mess with the engine, one road spring, two rear brake lines, discs and pads all round and fuel lines are all it's wanted in 4.5 yrs and 65k! (Now 222k and burns no oil at all between 10k services!). Really annoying when a reliable thing stops. If it was an 8v 205 I'd have it running in no time with all the bits I have!

 

Phil

[philfingers 5]

205 seems has blown the gasket on the thermostat housing so an easy fix

Audi has fault code 17978 which is an immobilser problem, probably an expensive fix if it's a dealer thing

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Have you got two keys, try the other key if so. Also you could try disconnecting the battery for a few hours and seeing if that resets anything.

 

Mine hasn't been too bad, its needed a pair of rear springs and dampers as I tow with it, a couple of front susp arms, a rear wheel bearing, and a front outer cv joint. It also needed a breather filter changing as all of a sudden it started to pressurise the crankcase and blow smoke out. If this happens to yours worry not its an easy fix and not expensive. How did you get on doing the belts, I did mine, had to make all sorts of special tools incl a puller to get the cam sprockets off the taper....