vdub_pete 15 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 So having fixed all the coolant leaks on my vr it now seams to be coming out of the header tank cap even though its brand new. Do you guys think my head gasket could be on its way out i.e exhaust gasses causing extra pressure in the cooling system and the cap trying to release pressure?The coolant pipes don't seam to be to pressurized and there is no misfire when starting from cold but there was a bit of excess steam on a cold morning but i just thought that was coz it was cold.Any help would be gratefully appreciated, i suspect head gasket has gone but just want to make sure before i start pulling things apart.Oh and any recommendations on extra things i should do while head off? heard valve guides was a good one to do.Cheers guys, Pete Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Hi Pete!Welcome to the club!!Don't panic just yet, it could be something as an air lock.... I had horrific issues with my corrado boiling over and out the header tank when I did an overhaul.Are you getting hot air from your heater vents?The only reliable way of checking if its head gasket is to do a sniffer test that detects exhaust gasses in your coolent system, can be obtained cheaply and will give you an indication of what's going on...If your engine has done 80k+ then I'd recommend valve guides and seals, you'd have to get the guides ground in etc... If you've not done timing chains, might be a good opirtunity to do those as well, but you'll need take gearbox off for that Let us know how you get on with the sniffer test! Link to post Share on other sites
Daverse 175 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 As Pete says, get a sniffer test / leakdown test done, that'll tell you what's what, hopefully is just air in the system. If you do have to take the head off, just have a good look round, make sure the tensioners on the chain aren't broken e.t.c and check the guides for wear e.t.c Link to post Share on other sites
vdub_pete 15 Posted July 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Thanks Pete,I've been a member and owned my vr for just over a year now but not been on here much. Guess living in NZ makes you a bit distant haha!Well its funny you should sat that coz i have done heaps of work on her in the past month.Rebuilt the gearbox, all bearings were shot. New clutch to.Did all the chains and guides while the box was out as she's done 210,000 kms. very glad i did it tensioner guide almost warn through!Also fitted new thermostat and all pipes as well as a 70 deg thermostat and a new radiatorOh and various gaskets seals and service things to keep fluids in the engine!The heater comes out warm but not red hot when on full wack but i thought that was coz of the low temp thermostat, and it seems to be hotter when car is stationary which is to be expected i guess.So if she is air locked what's the best thing to do to check that? run engine to temp with cap off?Yea i guess thats going to be the definitive answer to get a sniff test done. Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated Link to post Share on other sites
Ickyketseddie 89 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Does it overheat at all, and do the fans kick in when they should? Link to post Share on other sites
Daverse 175 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 To get rid of airlocks, you have to bleed the system, which unfortunately i can't remember how to do. Hopefully someone will be able to tell you on here Link to post Share on other sites
Lukey. 381 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Point the car up a really steep hill, air rises so if its stuck in the top of the matrix it can bubble up and out. Link to post Share on other sites
Therusterman 59 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Bit of a punt in the dark here...maybe the water pump? Link to post Share on other sites
vdub_pete 15 Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Nah there's no signs of overheat at all gauge stays dead up right and fans all working as they should.Thats a good idea luke might try that Nope not water pump she's had a new one of them to.I drove down shops and back today from cold literally 2km gauge barely got to 70 degs. Popped the bonnet when i got back and just out of curiosity checked the coolant hoses and they were quite hard like there was some pressure behind it shorely that cant be right?? Released pressure from the cap and it did seam like a lot. Link to post Share on other sites
Ickyketseddie 89 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Aren't the expansion caps known to fail? Might be something as simple as that? Link to post Share on other sites
michael5556 247 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 If they are hard is it not air in the system? What colour is your coolant? If exhaust gases or oil is getting in it will have changed colour from when you put it in. Link to post Share on other sites
vdub_pete 15 Posted July 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2013 Haha! sorry should have said thats new to! Link to post Share on other sites
vdub_pete 15 Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Hmm yea thats true its been in there a month or so and ive done a couple of long trips in that time, about 1200km and the coolant is still its lovely pink long life coolant colour only its making a mess of my engine bay Ok so to summaries new parts in the cooling system ive replaced because they were leaking. (done over a period of a year)Oil coolerCore plug just above oil coolerPlastic coolant pipes/housings around engine inc o rings and seals70 deg thermostatAll 3 sensors/switches in thermostat housingWater pumpRadiatorExpansion tank & cap Think thats it Problems keeping coolant in system it seams that the system is over pressurizing and the cap is releasing pressure and dribbling coolant out Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts