2.1 Overheating AGAIN

Post by **SteveW** » 07 Jul 2006, 09:45

Bertha the Bitch is playing up big time. And the worst part is we are due to go on holiday to the lakes tomorrow in her. I think either another head gasket or water pump or massive air lock. 2.1 DJ now on gas

Looked like the thermostat was playing up, not much water getting to the rad which was fairly cold but the engine is very hot. So took it out and put another in with the valve removed.

Went the long way home last night from work, temp and level ok at 60-70 when I slowed down along the lanes the temp rose quit high. When I got home it was boiling over again. I let her cool down then went through the bleed procedure. By the time I finished all was fine temp 1/2 way fan cutting in, no low water light. I then went to for a drive the faster I went the cooler she got. I thought great she is cured and was contemplating putting the thermostat back in. when I got back to our village doing approx 10 - 20 the temp rose to high again I got home switched her off slammed the door and went in to get pissed.

This morning on the way to work temp did not rise above 1/4 but 1/2 way in the low water light came on. Checked coolant when I got here and the expansion tank was 1/2 full took just over a litre. But the water was not hot only warm. Cant see any leaks and defiantly no puddles under the old girl, no water in the oil. Any ideas which way to go next? Was thinking to change the water pump as they are not that expensive.

Steve Wheeler

Post by **tonytech** » 07 Jul 2006, 09:52

Bleeding these things is a pain in the a****.

Even my local garage (ex VW service manager ) groans.

Mine was bled then needed a litre to top up after a run......
Then was bled again and took another litre a few days later.
Poor little van must have been thirsty...

Been fine since.

T

Post by **SteveW** » 07 Jul 2006, 10:07

Tony
Did yours have the same symptoms as mine?

Just noticed you are in Liverpool. We are supposed to be going to my daughters in Liverpool on the way to the Lakes tomorrow.

Post by **tonytech** » 07 Jul 2006, 10:31

No symptoms to report as I had just had the engine replaced and I was doing short journeys only ultra cautious about water and oil levels.

Yes I live near Liverpool, A few miles from the 'Another place' statues. I'll be watching my eldest daughter in a triatalon in the morning but I'll pm my mobile No in case you need help

T

Post by **SteveW** » 09 Jul 2006, 23:04

Just a quick update. Head gasket blowing now confirmed. Here we go again but this time I am going to do a complete rebuild from the crank up.

So a couple of questions.
1. Can I fit Aircooled type bolt up rocker shafts and swivel foot adjusters
2. Will an Engle 110 cam fit

Cheers guys

Post by **Mocki** » 10 Jul 2006, 06:17

headgasket? or water jacket?

how did you confirm this?
combustion gass in coolant?
if so, be sure it isnt a head thats at fault, i have seen them with pin holes between the water gallerys and the combustion chamber before......

normally if it is combustion gasses it get worse the faster you go not better,
you sure its not the rad?

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 10 Jul 2006, 07:51

not much water getting to the rad which was fairly cold but the engine is very hot.

As you've whipped the thermostat surely the water pump is the next port of call.

If you're suspicious of the water jacket then go for a 10mile drive and break down and get the AA or RAC out to it and get the coolant 'sniffed' for combustion gasses, unless you have a friendly local garage who will 'sniff' it for you.

Post by **SteveW** » 10 Jul 2006, 11:02

Mocki
I changed the water pump on Friday and put a new thermostat in (grasping at straws really) Checked compression 2 x 200psi 1 x 205psi 1 x 120psi (guess which one is leaking)

Bled system through on Saturday morning, went for a drive after about 6 miles she started to over heat.

Got home and phoned a friend

who has a water analyser. I had to do a 40 mile round trip to collect it when I got back I did the test confirming that 1. On gas the test says that I am getting diesel exhaust in the water. 2. On petrol I am getting petrol exhaust in the water.

I decided to remove the suspect head with the engine in so I stood a chance of being able to sort it and getting away on holiday. All went well but on the suspect cylinder the barrel came away with the head putting paid to any chance of a quick fix. I had to whack 7 bells out of the barrel to get it off of the head breaking it in the process. No chance of going on holiday now then

Any way I can now see where the leak is on the head gasket and have decided to do a total rebuild.

The plan is to strip the engine completely checking every part and replace any that need it or will need replacing before long. Basically blue print the whole engine including balancing. I think I can do it for the price of a gold type recon but know it is done properly and to a much higher spec. I did contemplate a VAG replacement but what would the challenge be with that

Diamond
Surly you do not advocate wasting the time of the AA / RAC

My local garage is out of chemical for his sniffer or I would have done it on Thursday and saved myself the time and effort.

I have also worked out that removing the thermostat does not work on a T25/T3 as it is at the end of the return from the rad but closer to the water pump than the feed so the water gets all confused which way to go

I will keep you all informed how the rebuild goes

Cheers Steve

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 10 Jul 2006, 11:16

If you want any information about rebuilding a WBX engine to a high standard, get in contact with Dan Buzzo, who will be shortly building up a rotationally-balanced 2.1, cammed and turbo-ed (in due course) - it'll be interesting to see what difference this makes to the WBX engine.

Alternatively www.gowesty.com - if you've got deep pockets