mk 4 golf Head Gaskett/ Coolant problems need urgent help please :-(

25-02-2010, 09:14 PM

my mk4 has had collant problems for the past 6 month or so, everytime u went down the dual carrige way and engine was under strain it would loose collant and around town possibly about every two weeks, Header tank was pressurising,

just before christmas the leaks became twice daily in the mornin and night, without any strain on engine, took it to my local garage, they informed me head gaskett had gone, also turbo was leaking oil and wineing, which was replaced, also had the head gaskett replace head skimmed cam belt kit water pump, thermistat done came to a total of 990 excluding turbo as it was under warrenty,

since christmas my car has been back 4 times the secong time loosing collant and cabin heatrs blowing cold, head gasket replaced again,

3rd time cabbin heaters still cold holding coolant as far as i was aware although didnt put any strain on car wat so ever and only had it back for a week, thermostat replaced said to be faulty, pattern part replaced with genuine vw 1!

about a week later heaters still cold loosing coolant very quickly and over heating nearly to 130 degrees on a journey of a couple of miles, header tank pressurising loads as soon as engine was started,

i have no idea what the problem is and neither do the mechanics at the local trusted garage apparently, please could any1 comment or give help advice on which direction to take now as i need my car working to get to work etc,

rapidresto · 25-02-2010, 10:43 PM

Welcome to VT!

It sounds like the original reason for the headgasket failure has never been properly identified. I'd be looking for a second opinion at a specialist vw/audi garage.

Has the rest of the cooling system been tested rad etc? Was the car well serviced etc?

kyle · 26-02-2010, 01:41 AM

i'd enquire (cus its free) at a proper/offical vw garage (eg listers vw, where i am, dont no wat it is down where ur at tho) n get ur 'trusted' garage to sort it.

vw r £60 or more +vat so ask there mechanic i bet they've done a few. i no it may sound stupid but people do misplace things n the geeza mite hav put the old thermostat back in, so if its a mechanical one jus take it out n see how it goes

rapidresto · 26-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle

so if its a mechanical one jus take it out n see how it goes

Really not a good idea on a modern engine. Used to be acceptable on older cars (pre electronic anything and fuel injection) but with so many other systems monitoring and being controlled by coolant temp sensors, forcing the engine to take alot longer to heat up is a bad idea.

Good suggestion about speaking to a main dealer tho, or also try a google search, if its a common problem it'll be well known on the internet and at the dealers!

26-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Thanks guys,

but the car was that bad it had to go back to the garage could not drive it as it was pressurising pretty much straight away,

so a lil hard to take it to another garage now its back there they said there going to test the head to see if its porus, then if its not pressure test the block, they said there isnt a problem with the coolant circulation, and the rad was fine, although my brother had a seat leon 1.9 tdi the same engine? and he had the rad replaced as the guy who skimmed the head told him to,although my garage is saying its not needed, it has a well stamped service book until i got it but was goin to do a major service before mot about now as ive had it for 12 months, ive googled the problem but all i can find is different parts of my engine problems not the same as my case ????? as they gave done it once charged me nearly a grand then done it the second time for free they are suggesting that this time i will have to pay for gaskett labour parts again ??? is this right please guys need more help

26-02-2010, 07:49 PM

daughters mk 4 1.6 20V suffered similar probs but not the over pressurising.
1, fault was cooling fan fuse holder had corroded and burnt away so fans inop could be why you see 130c check fans work.
2, coolant loss wise the plastic heater hose take off on the l/h end of the block split an leaked coolant a bit difficult to see needs a mirror and torch.
3. the O ring on the rad cap was damaged and not sealing allowing coolant to vapourise when hot.

problems above may cause the head gasket to go.

26-02-2010, 08:00 PM

thankyou but i belive that the coolant is only leaking due to the system pressurising therefor forcing it out someere causing problems??