hi all, pretty new to the mk3 polo as only had it a couple weeks and am gonna be replacing head gasket etc etc VERY soon..

on inspection tonight the rocker cap and underneath is caked up in mayo from what looks like condensation... ( oil on dipstick is fine tho )

can some one tell me what the weird little box thing is that the breather from the rocker goes to from which the pipe to the air box goes too ?

these as well are caked up with the gunk and am thinking this is a cause to my crappy running ( althought it runs like a dream i can tell its not running at its full potential )

also to note i spotted a oil/grit like substance in the rocker covers breather??? what would cause this?

hopefully some one could familiarise me a bit more with the spi engine as really I'm a golf lad, i know most engines are a similiar basic but theres always one that differs haha!!

could someone tell me aswell if the expansion bottle pressurising even when its been stood all night and I've gone to check it in morning is normal?? or is this a sign of head gasket on way out or blockage somewhere etc etc ??

thankss all, nath

under the inlet manifold there's a breather unit (the black thing, theres 3 diffrent setups) on the back of the block, there should be a little take off on it for the rocker pipe. the pipe coming out the top then goes to the airbox.

Ignoe the yours i think bit. pic is taken from another help thread.

The one on mine is on the left.

Edited 6 April, 201016 yr by Cymro

so thats basically all it is ? just a glorified breather unit to distribute to the air box/rocker cover etc etc??

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=42094

so thats basically all it is ? just a glorified breather unit to distribute to the air box/rocker cover etc etc??

Its also an air/oil separator, but it does get clogged up, causing a few running issues.

mines plumbed into a catch tank rather than back into the air intake.

Edited 6 April, 201016 yr by Cymro

awesome link dude!

thanks

I'm rebuilding the engine this weekend, treated the old gal to full head gasket/seals/clutch/brakes/water pump/cam belt/thermostat.. hopefully my problems will be cured!!

any pointers i should know before going ahead?

I'm confident and mechanically minded but I'm used to my mk1/2 golf's so dont know the pros and cons with the polo's..