Suspected Head Gasket Issue. Recommendations?

[commievid 8]

Hi all,

 

My 205 GTI6 is presenting symptoms which appear consistent to an impending head gasket failure. On cold start the exhaust is blowing, lots of white smoke with a distinct sweet smell, and what I think might be tapping on the cambelt end. There's no sign of mayo in the coolant or the oil, but the expansion tank does smell of what I think could be exhaust or fuel gases.

 

Was intending to get the cambelt done near end of October but I think it'd be unwise to try and get the car to survive that long. Guess these symptoms have only really become noticeable with the chilly weather we've been having, so not sure when this could have happened.

 

Just wanted to know rough cost and whether anyone would be recommended, or would any local garage be able to sort this out? i.e. any incentive to take it to a specialist like Pug1Off of CG Cars in Leicester (the two that would appear local enough to me).

 

I'll try other things like the lambda sensor and ECU temp sensor in the mean time, but those are much more in hope than expectation.

[welshpug 1,657]

you dont need a specialist, its just another 16v pug engine.

 

all you need to ensure is that the bottom pulley is good or fit a solid alloy one as the timing hole is on the outer part of a harmonic balancer which can move relative to its keyed hub.

 

best thing you can do is test for combustion gases in the coolant, they tend to leak on the rear corner near the water pump, I think every one bar one ive had apart has gone there.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

You should pin the the engine via the flywheel not the pulley its a fail safe way rather than using the pulley.

[welshpug 1,657]

not possible on an xu, only the xud and tu engines.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

strange mine pins, and according to autodata they do to, i must have a one off block.

[welshpug 1,657]

Very odd, what bit of autodata says that, got three xu flywheels here without the hole and and an xud with.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

as above, You'll get a better deal at a local garage but as long as they have a good head builder you will be fine, Job is dead easy'ish' at 8 hours

 

Get a leak down test done, that might show up the fault

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

Or give Miles a call ^

 

Top quality workmanship and service

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Are you sure there's a problem? This time of year even a healthy engine will make steam from cold. Is it using coolant?

[commievid 8]

It'd be great if that's the case. A couple of days ago I topped up coolant, and with the cap off let it run up to temperature, some spat out which I think levels itself, so I can't tell if its losing coolant if any via the head gasket. I also suspect a slow leak which I mentioned a while ago in another thread, so it could be losing some due to that.

 

It's the blowing exhaust when cold, which then clears which appears to be another sign, could be coolant burning away? Dunno at this stage.

[dcc 855]

If it clears that sounds fine to me. Usually this time of year you get lots of condensation up the exhaust.

 

I would be making sure the coolant system isnt over pressurising and blowing coolant out of the cap seal. You can easily tell this. Also if it has no major missfire and your oil hasnt turned to cream I wouldnt worry.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

I had mines out on boxing day, and it was white smoke for 20mins or so.

 

Could it be anti freeze u smell in expansion tank?

 

Make sure you have the correct cap for the 6. 1.3bar iirc, or you'll be losing water little and often.