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hi all,

I was driving my mk3 coupe the other day when it seriously over heated. Turned out the fan switch isn't working. Anyway, the dipstick is covered with a yellow goo stuff (technical term!) and so too is the inside of the rocker cover. The car runs really badly, it can hardly sit on idle. Since I noticed this I parked up on my drive and haven't moved it yet. Any ideas? Im 95% sure its the head gasket. Can I get one from the scrappy and just replace it? Or is it best to get it skimmed etc.

Advice (and price estimates!) required!!

Cheers in advance,

Steve

Definitely the Cylinder Head Gasket. Basically it is leaking water into your engine, which is producing the emulsified gunk (one liquid suspended in another) you describe and also causes it to overheat, as cooling is much less efficient. The car will not idle when water and oil are mixing, I have seen this lots of times.

You will need to get a brand new Gasket and have it replaced as soon as possible. A new head gasket set will cost around £30, so sod the scrappy. What you need to worry about is the cost to have it replaced. I'd shop around if I was you, or make friends with a mechanic . You will also need to get the heads skimmed, since they are Aluminium heads and you have said it has overheated. The heads can warp quite badly if they are allowed to overheat.

Prices around £200-350 for whole job (I think). Have fun

Or you could buy a head gasket kit for about 50 pounds and spend a day doing the job yourself.

That's assuming he has the necessary skills to do it. If he does, then great, coz he's saved himself a wedge.

The head gasket on my Polo wants replacing, coz it has an oil leak and I think it is coming from the head in the bottom left corner where the oil bore is. But I have no problems of overheating or emulsification so I'm gona leave it. It loses about half a pint of oil a week but if I did replace the gasket, there is always a chance that it would not seal properly and I could create more problems for myself. If it aint broke, don't fix it (use a drip tray for now )

Hi,

I have been considering all the options and advice. Still wondering whether to:

a.) Get a new head gasket (like you said -quite cheap so not a problem) Then get the head skimmed, and fit the gasket back.

b.) Get a new engine head from the scrappy, of the same cc, clean it etc, then wack that on.

c.) Start again with an engine conversion. Something like a gt, or at least a 1.3i. Considering insurance - I am only 17!

d.) Take it to a garage and get raped.

P.S, the skills are not a problem. I know a bit, and my bro knows alot about this kinda thing. Just the money & time. I WANT MY POLO BACK!

Thanks,

Steve

You want to be careful. You can get serious withdrawal symtoms from being away from your Polo too long

I think you should pursue option a, but you will have to get your hands dirty. I am only 17 and I pay about £1500 on insurance for my 1000cc Polo Coupe. I have done a few mods here and there, but I would not increase the engine capacity as I will simply get slammed by the insurance, and like I don't pay enough already! I would love to stick a 1272cc G40 lump in there, but I just can't

If skills aren't a problem to you, DIY.Also get the heads skimmed.