Mk2 Scirocco 1.8 8v cooling queries
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been getting a few problems with my 1.8 8v scirocco, bit of a story behind this so I'll try and keep it sweet and simple.
I bought the car a short while back and noticed after a few days that it was leaking some coolant from the expansion tank, bought a new cap and then the temperature started raising higher than it was previously. Before it would sit just under the LED at half way rising to the centre or just over if being pushed. Since replacing it sits from either just over the LED and can get up to 3/4 in slow moving traffic causing the fan to kick in.
I also noticed quite a bit of pressure building up in the hoses, before I don't think it was pressurising properly but now when squeezing the hoses they feel quite hard. Not too sure if this is normal for this car or how much pressure it is supposed to build up in them but before I changed the cap they were hardly pressurised at all, even after a long run.
Anyway, with all of the problems above I decided to buy one of those cheap HG liquid testers from ebay and it flagged as a HG leak into the coolant, although I have to say there was never really any white smoke or significant loss of coolant other than what was leaking from the tank cap, which I had to top up slightly every month or so. I went and had the HG replaced by a trusted mechanic, head skimmed, good quality gasket fitted, thermostat replaced and reassembled with new head bolts and coolant. Also had the valve stem seals done but I'm still noticing the same problems.
I've still got the HG tester but the liquid is beginning to turn a greenish colour in the storage bottle, plus I am skeptical as to how accurate these actually are so I don't know whether it is worth checking again. Still getting some coolant leaking from the cap/tank and pressure making the pipes quite hard. Temp still sits just over the LED and rises to just below 3/4 in traffic so I'm not too sure what's going on.
I know the tank and radiator were replaced a couple of years ago, wondering if the tank is a cheap copy and not making a good seal with the cap? it does feel a bit rough when tightening it up but would this cause these symptoms.
I'm at a bit of a loss at where to go next with this so if anyone has any advice let me know, pretty new to older VWs so I'm not 100% on how they normally behave.
I've been getting a few problems with my 1.8 8v scirocco, bit of a story behind this so I'll try and keep it sweet and simple.
I bought the car a short while back and noticed after a few days that it was leaking some coolant from the expansion tank, bought a new cap and then the temperature started raising higher than it was previously. Before it would sit just under the LED at half way rising to the centre or just over if being pushed. Since replacing it sits from either just over the LED and can get up to 3/4 in slow moving traffic causing the fan to kick in.
I also noticed quite a bit of pressure building up in the hoses, before I don't think it was pressurising properly but now when squeezing the hoses they feel quite hard. Not too sure if this is normal for this car or how much pressure it is supposed to build up in them but before I changed the cap they were hardly pressurised at all, even after a long run.
Anyway, with all of the problems above I decided to buy one of those cheap HG liquid testers from ebay and it flagged as a HG leak into the coolant, although I have to say there was never really any white smoke or significant loss of coolant other than what was leaking from the tank cap, which I had to top up slightly every month or so. I went and had the HG replaced by a trusted mechanic, head skimmed, good quality gasket fitted, thermostat replaced and reassembled with new head bolts and coolant. Also had the valve stem seals done but I'm still noticing the same problems.
I've still got the HG tester but the liquid is beginning to turn a greenish colour in the storage bottle, plus I am skeptical as to how accurate these actually are so I don't know whether it is worth checking again. Still getting some coolant leaking from the cap/tank and pressure making the pipes quite hard. Temp still sits just over the LED and rises to just below 3/4 in traffic so I'm not too sure what's going on.
I know the tank and radiator were replaced a couple of years ago, wondering if the tank is a cheap copy and not making a good seal with the cap? it does feel a bit rough when tightening it up but would this cause these symptoms.
I'm at a bit of a loss at where to go next with this so if anyone has any advice let me know, pretty new to older VWs so I'm not 100% on how they normally behave.
The reproduction expansion tanks are absolute guff for the early golfs etc. I've had a few split open where the two halves are joined together. Only ever had one cap go bad though. If you are losing coolant I would first try a new expansion tank and fingers crossed it's not a duff one. Maybe even try to source a new old stock or tested original?
The behavior of the gauge sounds about normal to me. There are a few different temp senders from what I remember and they change where the gauge will read, so long as you're not boiling over then all is well. Every single mk1 I've had has liked to run a bit on the hot side on the gauge when in traffic, 3/4 or so. If the fan is cutting in and out then you're ok.
The behavior of the gauge sounds about normal to me. There are a few different temp senders from what I remember and they change where the gauge will read, so long as you're not boiling over then all is well. Every single mk1 I've had has liked to run a bit on the hot side on the gauge when in traffic, 3/4 or so. If the fan is cutting in and out then you're ok.
Have you checked for the leak everywhere? Are the carpets dry in the foot wells? Make sure it's not your heater core or one of the hoses that runs through the bulkhead to the heater core itself. Check when it's up to temp and running for any leaks out the expansion tank, when stationary look for the tell tale powdery white / pink looking residue that indicates dried up coolant.
Yeah it's definitely only leaking from the cap on the expansion tank. I replaced it with a blue cap made by JP group. I'm now thinking if this new cap isn't working as it should and the old cap was, but a bad seal to the tank was causing the leak with the old cap.
It's more reassuring to hear that the temp behaviour is quite normal, I was just concerned as it had changed where it sat since I replaced the cap.
I'll see if I can find a good tank, I've read people also change them for ones off a Mk4 Golf but I'd rather stick to the orginal type if I can get one.
It's more reassuring to hear that the temp behaviour is quite normal, I was just concerned as it had changed where it sat since I replaced the cap.
I'll see if I can find a good tank, I've read people also change them for ones off a Mk4 Golf but I'd rather stick to the orginal type if I can get one.
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