Ami
A2OC Donor
Sure, getting certain parts are difficult even in the UK, so I can understand the dilemma where you are.
[1.6 FSI] - Headgasket or simply Trigger's Broom
- Thread starter Evripidis
- Start date
I have taken a look and found out the following:
There are two types offered for the 1.6 in the aftermarket realm. Radiators in which the cooling tubes are press-fit with o-rings and those that are brazed together. The latter are of better quality, the former are the economic type and the type that is currently fitted. Actually the leak is coming from the cooling tube o-rings.
The part number is NRF 58258 and is available in autodoc.
There are two types offered for the 1.6 in the aftermarket realm. Radiators in which the cooling tubes are press-fit with o-rings and those that are brazed together. The latter are of better quality, the former are the economic type and the type that is currently fitted. Actually the leak is coming from the cooling tube o-rings.
The part number is NRF 58258 and is available in autodoc.
PlasticMac
Member
Hi Mac, the nrf part number I posted above is brazed so if I can get it locally it will be great. The nrf website also mentions that the brazed ones feature flattened tubes so a larger surface area and are to be preferred. There is someone I know that sells VAG NOS so I might gove them a try. Their prices aren't cheap though.
PlasticMac
Member
Mac.
I will look for other VAG alternatives as well. Very good idea.
OK , latest news:
0. Daily commute, mixed city driving, highway and mountainous roads. Probably 50 miles in total for the day.
1. I have 1/2 a drop of coolant on the expansion tank vent hole. Literally 1/2 drop if not less.
2. Radiator leak has disappeared for a day.
Any thoughts on this one or suggestions.
I failed on the NOS radiator, so motorfactors it is.
Evros
0. Daily commute, mixed city driving, highway and mountainous roads. Probably 50 miles in total for the day.
1. I have 1/2 a drop of coolant on the expansion tank vent hole. Literally 1/2 drop if not less.
2. Radiator leak has disappeared for a day.
Any thoughts on this one or suggestions.
I failed on the NOS radiator, so motorfactors it is.
Evros
PlasticMac
Member
Don't worry, I'm still with you. Is that an indication of product of combustion in the coolant?
Mac.
audifan
A2OC Donor
Me too!
Unfortunately that is a clear indication of combustion gases in the coolant system.
Where to go next is the issue. I am not a fan of those head gasket sealers, but if the leak is small and the gasket is generally in good condition one of them MAY be worth trying. It may solve the leak completely or buy you enough time to work out if or how you want to proceed with the engine.
Unfortunately that is a clear indication of combustion gases in the coolant system.
Where to go next is the issue. I am not a fan of those head gasket sealers, but if the leak is small and the gasket is generally in good condition one of them MAY be worth trying. It may solve the leak completely or buy you enough time to work out if or how you want to proceed with the engine.
Thank you all for your support. Don't worry it is just a car. I only hope the situation was different.
I think I can get k-seal down here and I was thinking about it on my way home. I have a new radiator to go on it anyway so I might as well pour the stuff in it anyway. I've rear that it can clog up the cores, etc but I have never tried it or had any intention to. In this case it might as well be the last resort to buy us some time.
The leak tester changes its colour from blue to different shades of yellow (green being one of them). The box says that if the coolant is too hot then it might also turn green which leaves some room for error in my case. But if I perform the test from when cold or even after it has been idling for a while; then the test will always turn up negative.
Today I tried the test after the coolant escaped from the expansion tank but without any other leak whatsoever. Dry as a bone. So I thought I'd give it another go, thus the green colour. I suppose the entire block had reached the point where the crack/failure became prominent enough.
The car has also developed an erratic idling (rev hunting) ever since I replaced the expansion tank which I thought was weird.
Evros
I think I can get k-seal down here and I was thinking about it on my way home. I have a new radiator to go on it anyway so I might as well pour the stuff in it anyway. I've rear that it can clog up the cores, etc but I have never tried it or had any intention to. In this case it might as well be the last resort to buy us some time.
The leak tester changes its colour from blue to different shades of yellow (green being one of them). The box says that if the coolant is too hot then it might also turn green which leaves some room for error in my case. But if I perform the test from when cold or even after it has been idling for a while; then the test will always turn up negative.
Today I tried the test after the coolant escaped from the expansion tank but without any other leak whatsoever. Dry as a bone. So I thought I'd give it another go, thus the green colour. I suppose the entire block had reached the point where the crack/failure became prominent enough.
The car has also developed an erratic idling (rev hunting) ever since I replaced the expansion tank which I thought was weird.
Evros
Riba
Member
Ouch, so my hunch was right.
Everything was adding up except the combustion gas test, but I guess now it is clear.Ouch, so my hunch was right.
Sadly, it must be it. The stupid thing returns 45mpg and pulls decently on the hills. Based on a 15 minute drive you'd buy it in a heartbeat. I gave it too much of my dna to let it go though. I'll start stripping once the oil change is up. I only replaced it a couple of months ago.
Riba
Member
Same in case of my A7. It ran perfectly but over time I noticed that every few weeks I had to add just a little bit of coolant. After a couple of years this got gradually worse and at some point I asked a local shop to take a look at it.
Bad news - the previous owner botched an engine head job and snapped one of the bolts in the engine block. Sorting it out would be pricey, but most importantly I did not know of a single place I would trust to do it properly so we just drove it for another year or two until it got so bad that the pressure buildup popped a coolant hose out of the expansion tank. It got sold cheap to someone who was willing to take on the project.
The entire time there was no impact on the performance, it never overheated and there was no visible white smoke from the exhaust, but half way through I knew what the problem was, especially after hearing about the snapped bolt. The previous owner must have known about it but as you said, this is almost impossible to figure out. It did serve us well for 4-5 years though...
Bad news - the previous owner botched an engine head job and snapped one of the bolts in the engine block.
Sorting it out would be pricey, but most importantly I did not know of a single place I would trust to do it properly so we just drove it for another year or two until it got so bad that the pressure buildup popped a coolant hose out of the expansion tank. It got sold cheap to someone who was willing to take on the project.The entire time there was no impact on the performance, it never overheated and there was no visible white smoke from the exhaust, but half way through I knew what the problem was, especially after hearing about the snapped bolt. The previous owner must have known about it but as you said, this is almost impossible to figure out. It did serve us well for 4-5 years though...
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the block has seen better days too.
PlasticMac
Member
Is that some sort of silt build up in the coolant galleries? Wrong additive, or just water?
Mac.
It was being run on tap water for a number of years before I got to servicing it. It is severe oxidisation. Crumbly like a biscuit. Both the block and the head.
I think this is terminal. I am after a complete block. Even one with a blown headgasket would be better than this one. I am relieved in a way knowing that this was the problem. I never would have thought that it was this bad.
Evros.
I think this is terminal. I am after a complete block. Even one with a blown headgasket would be better than this one. I am relieved in a way knowing that this was the problem. I never would have thought that it was this bad.
Evros.