jayh29

Hi mate, I had the exact same problem, turned out my engine is running alittle too hot and the water was evaperating out the expansion tank/cap.....tried a new one of each no joy, so used a little ptfe tape round the thread of the cap...problem solved thank god, was expecting head gasket trouble! Jay.

Hi guys, have the same problem....on a cold morning I noticed steam comming out a small hole on the side of the expansion tank (guessing its a hole for an overflow if the pressure gets to high) hidden behind the black plastic trim. i'm guessing the water is getting to hot, so will renew the stat to see if that helps.

Your not wrong..have just replaced two water flanges, water pump, expansion tank and cap, heater matrix, and will be putting a new radiator in soon as it keeps getting blocked. Only thing I can think of is vw prefer air cooling to water! J.

Cheers guys, had a good look underneath and it looks like its the waterpump, very hard to tell as the powersteering pump is under it. Hmmmmmm looks like a nasty job! think I might take it in for this one! Jay.

Hi guys....the indicated pulley is loose and rattles like hell, any idea which one it is (sorry dont have the bentley book yet) Its on my 91' 1.8 16v Cheers. belts.JPG[/attachment:49dfa]

Thanks for that....will give it a go with a new spring clip, its unlikely one would have fallen off?? J.

Hi guys, Have been topping up my coolant once a week, Have at last found the leak! The top rad hose going into the block (allen key bolts either side, and after the junc for the oil pipe) is leaking/hissing.......it looks like there is NO hose clip on it, and I'm guessing it should have??...looks a bit of a sod to get one on so maybe previous owner gave up and left it off. is that the thermostat housing? cheers Jay.

Bought a 91 1.8 16v in pearl grey cheap as it needs alot of work (bodywork is full of dents/scratches, and has the usual noises from tappets/alternator, heater matrix bypassed etc) Have to say its a mighty impressive car,and has brought some joy back to driving. My second day of driving to work along the a3 a nice taxis forced me into the outside lane at 55mph My first reaction was to hit the brakes and swerve of course I hit the car next to me! with smoke from both our tyres and the almighty bang I thought thats it my car is no more. we both came off at the next junction to discover we both had just a small scratch! and yes the b*****d in the taxis carried on without stopping! I was not a happy man! Anyway sorry to rant on just wanted to introduce myself in preperation for the hundreds of questions I will posting when work gets underway on the car. Jay.