RDH

Time for an update! The head gasket started to go- noticed white smoke/steam coming from exhaust-but no coolant loss/water in oil. A "sniffer" test confirmed exhaust gasses in the coolant so my fears were realised (not paranoia this time :cuckoo: ).I had some cash saved for a stainless exhaust or leather interior so decided to use this for a top end rebuild (existing exhaust and interior are fine), and replace a few other bits at the same time,give the car a good service and try and clean up the engine bay. Picture before any work passat climatronic wiring diags.pdfhead 4.JPG[/attachment:2yfewpb1] We removed the head which revealed a cracked exhaust manifold, so the whole lot was sent for skimming/ welding. Picture with head off climatronic wiring-Golf from May 01.pdfhead 1.JPG[/attachment:2yfewpb1] The only drama we found when stripping was the cracked exhaust manifold, we discovered why oil temp on the MFA was not working- the wire was hanging lose with no connector. With easy access to the engine bay I decided it would be a good time to renew the water pump, the timing belt and tensioner were done last July and have covered less than 1000 miles, the guy doing the work for me reckons it will be fine to reuse, however I think I will buy a new belt to be safe (paranoia again :cuckoo: !!). Whilst the engine was stripped I decided to clean a few bits, here are a few pics, the inlet manifold is nowhere near perfect, but it looks a million times better- 2.8l 24v Climatronic system.pdfhead 3.JPG[/attachment:2yfewpb1] The rocker cover came up well head 2.JPG[/attachment:2yfewpb1] The head is now rebuilt and waiting to go on, the old water pump has been removed and the pulley transferred to the new one. Hopefully it will all be completed this week, it should have been done this weekend however we have so far received 2 sets of incorrect headbolts, and await to see if the 3rd set are correct!. Rich

I have exactly the same problem with my C, I recently changed the battery and the light stayed off (just in time for MOT), however the fault has now returned and has me stumped, I have replaced the 2 relays near the glovebox and have tried a spare ABS controll unit- with no effect. So any ideas will also be appreciated by me. Rich

Cheers Fella. The guy who looked at it said the connector was for diagnostics. Will keep renewing bits as they wear/when I can, I am lucky as it is not my main mode of transport. Rich

Well head gasket has definately started to go so it looks like a top end rebuild, not too p*ssed off as I intend keeping the car long term, and accept bits will need doing. Will use this as an opportunity to replace water pump and all belts and sort a few minor oil leaks. Rich

Thanks, will have a look/search for it. Rich

Reverse lights work ok. Can't find a spare socket on the gearbox, where is the thermotime switch?, if either was not plugged in-what would be the effect?, the speedo works ok but the spoiler does not lift at speed (ok on button). Thanks for replies guys, anyone any ideas about smoke/poor running. TIA Rich.

Just had a look, the plug on the distributer is on, this "rogue" plug comes from the same bunch as the plug that is attached to the dizzy. Cheers for reply. Rich

Ok, been having a look around engine bay, and although it is probably not related to the running/smoking problem-I have discovered a connector that is not plugged in. It comes from the bunch of wires below the dizzy, and is a single thick black wire, I can't find anywhere it should go. Any ideas?? Here are a couple (crap) pics. 2.8l 24v Climatronic system.pdfEng3 (Small).JPG[/attachment:2we5016n] Eng4 (Small).JPG[/attachment:2we5016n] Any help with this, and the poor running problem appreciated. Rich

Not that I can think of, it is a second car and not used that much, it is kept in a garage which is a bit damp. Rich

Hi, I have a 1994 2.0 16v C, that has done 113k. I have recently noticed white smoke coming out of the exhaust which immediately made me think the Head gasket was going, however I cannot detect any coolant loss, I have no water in the oil (that I can see) and temps seem ok. The car is not running well, and the engine has developed a top end rattle which you notice at idle (which is very lumpy). I have scanned for error codes and got- 00514 Crankshaft position sensor 00531 Mass air flow sensor reference voltage. However I cleared these codes a week ago and they have not come back. The exhaust fumes smell really strongly of presumably unburnt fuel. The car passed it's test 6 weeks ago without a single advisory (knew it was too good to be true)so emissions must have been ok then. Any ideas?,or checks I can do?, I do suspect the head gasket, and am having it pressure tested at the weekend. Any help appreciated. Rich

Cheers, will check out the site and order one. Have replaced the roof strips and scraper seals on my C, still in shock over how much they cost, nearly fell on the floor when I was quoted over £70 for a replacement aerial. :shock: Thanks again Rich

Car looks great 8) could you tell me where you got the aerial and base from?, need a new rubber gasket for mine,and struggling to find one. Cheers Rich

Really nice C fella 8) will keep a look out for it! Top job Rich.

Cheers,think all C owners are a bit paranoid. :shock: Cheers for replies. Rich.

Cheers for reply, will get a new one and give it a try.

Took C for a good run this morning, variety of driving-motorway then nice country roads. I noticed the temp gauge was at 70, occasionally rising to 75. I believe 90 in normal running temp. Should I be concerned or am I becoming a paranoid C owner :shock: Car seems to be running well and it was a nice drive 8) Thanks Rich

Cheers for reply, will have a look tommorow. Rich.

Cheers, will have a look for oil temp sender. Just seeking another opinion on the the engine temperature, it is noticably hot after a short time running and at low ambient temperatures. Thanks for reply Rich

Possibly a numpty question.., but here goes. I have got a 94 2.0 16v with 112k, I have noticed that the engine gets really hot quickly, by this I mean the engine bay feels really hot, the temp gauge does not indicate any problems and the fan kicks in if the car is running when stationary for a few mins . The MFA oil temp does not work so I am unsure of oil temp. I have 2 questions really- 1, Do the 2.0 16v engines run quite hot or should I be concerned? 2, I have searched this site and think the Oil temp not working on the MFA may be down to a temp sender??, where would the oil temp sender be located, and what does it look like??, the rest of the MFA functions work fine. Any help/advice appreciated Rich

Decided to go to shop to get a sparkplug to check I have a spark,and I decided to buy a jump start kit (been intending getting one for ages). Checked spark-all ok decided to try starting car with jump start battery pack attached....car started!, looks like I need to consider a new battery/check alternator is ok. Thanks for help Rich.

Will do Thanks

cheers for that, are they easy to fit, and roughly how much are they? Thanks Rich

Will try that with the relays. No idea how old ignition switch is,no evidence it has ever been changed. is that a likely souce? Thanks for Reply Rich

Hi, just tried to start my 94 2.0 16v and it refuses to fire. When I turn ignition on I can hear the fuel pump, the car turns over fine, but will not start. It has been stood for a week in the garage (has been left longer and has been ok). Only thing different is I removed the Head unit last week and fitted a better one, had a few wiring difficulties to sort, but all appeared ok. Car has a Toad alarm which appears to be functioning ok (locks and unlocks, proximity sensors working etc). Have had a quick look at the plug leads etc and again appear ok (not loose or split). Car has recently been serviced and has had a new cam belt, engine has done 113k with good history. Any ideas?, I am not particularly mechanically minded, have tried search function and am non the wiser. TIA Rich.

Try ebay mate, usually a few on there. Rich