Broke down last night - advice please??

[mr2allotments]

Hi

I'm trying to get in touch with a local mechanic (local VW club member and well recommended) but was hoping for some advice from you experts before he delivers his opinion.

Driving along (about 150 mile in total) i noticed that the heater wasn't working very well, then on an uphill stretch the engine seemed to falter/stutter and lose power - which it then seemed to regain. All felt okay so i joined the A1 and drove for another few miles at 55-60mph until the engine started to falter/hesitate again ... then i saw cars behind flashing me and spotted clouds of white 'smoke' had just appeared behind us so i pulled over immediately and got towed home.

No smells of petrol, no obvious problems of any kind but the coolant expansion tank is now completely empty.

I suspect a head gasket but what else could it be and what could possibly have caused this?

Cheers

Chris

[andisnewsyncro]

That's what happened to mine when the water pump gave up..... Time for a bit of a dismatle and see whats happened in there I fear

[superhotrod45]

Oh dear sounds head gasket trouble.

[Plasticman]

Back to the allotment and get cleaned up for winter
mike

[kevtherev]

yes ..could indeed be the water pump, that would empty an engine quick

[..lee..]

if nothing obvious shows up get it pressure tested.

[mr2allotments]

Hi
Local mecahnic and HertsVWclub member came round yesterday and gave it the once over. Water pump, thermostat housing and all the pipes are okay but the sump is full of 'brown mayo'!!

Combustion chamber pressures weren't too bad and the engine ran quite easily, but VERY smokily, for 5 mins. Looks like an engine out job and hopefully it's just a case of changing the gaskets.

Mechanic said it can take 6 weeks for new engine bolts to come from Germany if they're needed - does anyone here know of a swifter way of getting them?

Cheers

[mrhutch]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk