Club 80-90 Forums

Bad misfire, really clattery, white sludge under oil cap........please put me out my misery.......

(2l Aircooled with 103000 on the clock).

Tell us more.....happened when driving? or after its stood for a time? Shouldn't worry about the mayo under the cap, not like its leaking coolant
IAN

How long has it been like it? The white sludge is usually cause by not being used for long runs and getting warm enough to get rid of moisture settled in engine. Its not a sign of head gasket as you don't have coolant to mix with oil. Clattery could be drained lifters, if it hasn't been used for a while which can cause the misfire (sometimes)

D'oh as above

Simple = Hydraulic tappet stuck

As said, don't worry about the white stuff in the oil cap.

Check your oil and go for a drive - the tappet will sort itself out.

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Note = the above is very likely to be correct.




but it might be summat more serious - probably not though

Thanks all. The beast was off the road for a week or so at the garage in the run up to its MOT last week (which it eventually passed, resulting in much jubilation). Other than that it's been running back and forward to my work, probably no more than 5 miles a day. It was misfiring really badly for a day or 2 when I dropped it off at the garage in the run up to the MOT, but was ok when I got it back as garage spent some time getting it running better.

Today was the first day I'd used it after getting it back. Ran ok on the way to work, but after maybe half a mile on the way home it started misfiring really badly and the engine really started clattering (loud knocking / clattering).

Managed to nurse it home, felt like it wasn't running on all 4 cylinders.

Also, I've noticed that for maybe the last 3 or 4 months it has been pretty hesitant between maybe 5 - 12 in 2nd, 10 - 20 in 3rd and 25 - 35 in 4th - its also been making a really hard to describe noise in those gears and between those speeds, not quite a clicking or tapping, but cant think of a better way to describe it.

Anyway, thanks for your responses.

"clattery' could also be pre-ignition. Perhaps the timing isn't right?

Or lack of oil pressure causing the hydraulic tappets to play up.

Maybe get that checked sooner rather than later (in case it is, could cause damage if left)

Any VW flat 4 mechanic should be able to do that easy peasy.

If the oil pressure is low, it still could be summat simple like a stuck pressure release valve etc.

Thanks again for your replies, and apologies for the absence of technical knowledge on my part in trying to describe the problem.

Heading to the garage this afternoon (beast is just about driveable.....), blank cheque in hand!!