Head gasket going??? :,(

[jacko17]

Hi all,

Not the best start to the weekend.... booked my car into the garage for a full service and also to see if they could figure out what the smoke was coming from the exhaust.......so my car has been smoking quite badly when under pressure and the coolant level would stay low and then when you took the cap off it would release the pressure and go back up even after the next morning. And the smell is quite weird smells quite sweet I think.

Also when I’ve stopped the car popped into somewhere and then tried to start the car sometimes it wouldn’t fire up straight away maybe he 2nd or 3rd time. The garage I’ve gone to I trust fully but looking for what other options I have I’ve been quoted around £1000 not sure if that’s for a service aswell need to speak to them Monday properly.

I’ve seen Kseal and other products get some rave reviews and saying miracle cure is it worth trying or is this a temp fix and make it worse in the long run?

Thanks for any help

[Cuprabob]

G12/G12++/G13 Coolant does smell sickly sweet.

It's perfectly normal, if you take the coolant cap off just after switching the engine off for there to be a release of pressure and for coolant to run back into the reservoir and for the level to rise.

You should always check the coolant level when the car is stone cold, like first thing in the morning to get a consistent reading and to check whether it's actually losing coolant.

[jacko17]

Thanks for the reply...I’ve checked it a few times in the morning over the past few weeks and just now and it has definitely gone down...there is no visible leaks on the floor where I park so it it just leaking straight into the engine and coming out of the exhaust..

If I wash my car with a day or two it gets covering in blackish soot and the exhaust is black as well.

Looks like and expensive week ahead

[Psycho Kirky]

Check your coolant lines at the turbo. I have a very slight leak on one of mine, there is no coolant ever on the floor, but it sort of dries where it leaks and seals itself. But when it gets hot again it manages to squeeze through slightly.

Could be worth a look.

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk

[jacko17]

Thanks for the reply,

Little update. My car was in the garage yesterday so they could look over it again. He’s come to the conclusion that it’s either the head gasket or EGR cooler but isn’t certain on eithe as they both have similar symptoms.

He doesn’t want to the head and it’s the EGR visa Versa. Has anyone had a similar problem to the before in jn a both of a limbo on what to do as he doesn’t want to do the head and I’m forking our ££££ for it to be the EGR he wants me to take the car and drive it round for a hailed to see if anything gets worse.

Could i take it to a vw garage and they hook it up and tell me what it is?


Cheers

[Cuprabob]

Of those 2 options, I would say it's more likely to be the EGR cooler. Also, it's the cheaper of the 2, if it turns out to be wrong.

[jacko17]

Okay thanks for the reply.

Also I don’t think I’ve mention it...but some times I start the car and it bellows out smoke I have to turn the engine off and then back and it stops. Don’t know if that means anything or links it more to the EGR

In your opinion do you think it worth buying a second hand EGR/refurbished or new. Dont want to spend too much just itcaee it isn’t.

[jacko17]

Just had a quick look at EGR coolers and can get them new for around £115 which isn’t too bad. Do you know if this is the right one by any chance https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/EGR-Valve-Cool ... 4084.l1313" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Or would a genuine refurbed one be better? Seen one for around £160

Also do you know how long it would take to change the egr cooler.

Cheers