VW Golf MK3 oil in coolant

[Trubshoe]

Hi, my wifes VW Golf has come up with another "difficult to find the cause of" problem.

It is a 2L MK111 Cabrolet with ADY Engine. It has oil in the coolent, specks can be seen when you remove the expansion tank cap. There does not appear to be any coolant in the engine oil. I have just had the Auto transmission seviced in case this was the problem, it wasn't. I did a compression test and this was ok. Could it be something to do with the water pump? The car is not using any coolant, although it appears to be running hot, the temp gauge sits on normal, however it smells hot and the electric fans seems to run for hours after a trip. Any ideas most gratefully excepted.

Thanks

Angus

[eldavo69]

Oil system is at higher pressure than the coolant system hence oil in coolant not vice versa.

Unfortunately, it usually points to head gasket failure or ,if fitted, a failure of the oil cooler seals.

[Mook]

Sounds like head gasket. Water pump doesn't have an oil feed to it. Even with a blown head gasket, you can still get full compression - it may well be gone at the cylinder head level between the water and oil galleries in the block.

[TIDYDUBS]

Id be checking the oil cooler first if it has one which if memory serves me correct at this moment in such a tossing week ive had.........really KAK on the golf 3's

[Trubshoe]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your help, I have started ripping the head off. I had the head off about 5 years ago, the cam belt got oily (leaky cam cover seal) lost a few teeth and a couple of exhaust valves got bent. I used the Haynes manual as a guide, however I found it a bit lacking in certain areas. It suggested I removed the front bumper and grill lights and bonnet, which of course was completely unnecessary. I always regret not re-torquing the head bolts after a few thousand km's. The manual did not state that this should be done.

Is this mandatory? Should I use any sealers with the new gasket?

Of course it could be a cracked head, considering the reason for the last head gasket replacement!

My wife has another car at present, so the pressure is off, perhaps I can make a better job of it this time if it is just the gasket!

Thanks again for your help

regards

Angus

[TIDYDUBS]

Id be checking the oil cooler first if it has one which if memory serves me correct at this moment in such a tossing week ive had.........really KAK on the golf 3's[/quote

Id still get the oil cooler pressure tested my friend

You dont need to retorque the head bolts on those but a damn good clean of the head and block faces whit a sanding block and wet and dry paper. Check the head for distortion too.

[Trubshoe]

Thanks again for your help, we have had a bit of an Earthquake which has delayed things slightly!

However today, I replaced the head gasket, (I have already had the head plained and crack tested) I also found an oil cooler, (Haynes manual does not mention this at all) I have replaced this. I am almost ready to fire it up, however I have found a cable where the inner and outer insulation has flaked away and the wires are shorting together. I am not sure what it is for, it connects to something that plugs into the front of the engine block below the oil filter, there are three wires Black, Red and yellow, these go in to a 3 pin plug, which connects to a plug on the loom near the main engine harness connector.

Any one know what this might be for? I am assuming the insulation has been in this condition for a while, so it is obviously not essential? Cannot find anything reference to it in the Haynes manual, which is rather inadequite with regards to engine bay wiring diagrams!

Any help appreciated

Regards

Angus