How often does it need to be done? Also how can you check if the car has any likely signs of the headgasket being likely to go very soon? What's the typical price of a headgasket change, and can it be done easily?

How often does it need to be done? Also how can you check if the car has any likely signs of the headgasket being likely to go very soon? What's the typical price of a headgasket change, and can it be done easily?

mayonnaise stuff in the oil cap is usually a give away as a product of oil mixing with water.

loss of water

loss of oil. gneral unwell-ness.

yours could be due one with the millage it has and if not, it wont hurt to have it done as a matter of course especially if you are getting the belts and tensionner done. dont know price however on a ggti gasket set.

Edited 15 July, 200719 yr by supercharged spaniel

also.. sometimes if you get white smoke and water coming from exhaust..put your hand over it when its running see the if the fumes feels damp, thats a sign theres water going through the system somewhere along the lines and normally of a sign of the headgasket going, will be pretty expensive on a gti because of 16v if it goes because head will need skimming, but will be alot cheaper to change just the gasket before it goes if your worried!

good point. youd be better off getting it done before hand cos if t goes and you cook the head its gonna need a skim otherwise itll be fine without if it hasnt gone yet.

I just noticed a bit of white smoke coming out of the exhaust, when it was warming up. Might be a sign of it, would like to know how much it is to get done though.

I just noticed a bit of white smoke coming out of the exhaust, when it was warming up. Might be a sign of it, would like to know how much it is to get done though.

normal amount of white smoke as in condensation and your as bad as me? or proper thick white smoke thats really something to worry about which at that point id be jumping off the tyne?

and prices up north or down south lol.

can't find the headgasket kit for a gti on etos!?

I'd probably say normal amount of white smoke, as it only happens when I put my foot down quite a bit, when driving normally there's no smoke at all. Just checked the engine coolant and there's no foam at all there, there doesn't appear to be any leaks at all in the engine bay.

Edited 15 July, 200719 yr by Maxim

I'd probably say normal amount of white smoke, as it only happens when I put my foot down quite a bit, when driving normally there's no smoke at all. Just checked the engine coolant and there's no foam at all there, there doesn't appear to be any leaks at all in the engine bay.

well i wouldnt worry although id probably get it done as a matter of prevention rather than cure. have you done the belts and tensions yet?

Yep, that's been done along with the water pump last week, and now I'm 300 pounds lighter.. :( All this money is just going down, especially as I intended to replace the exhaust in 2 weeks time. I probably will get the headgasket changed in the next few weeks as well.

Yep, that's been done along with the water pump last week, and now I'm 300 pounds lighter.. :( All this money is just going down, especially as I intended to replace the exhaust in 2 weeks time. I probably will get the headgasket changed in the next few weeks as well.

but when this stuff is done you know the history and can drive knwing its all been done. leaving stuff until it just breaks is something i hate.

Definitely the way I feel about it, shame parents don't see it the same way. Always going on if it's not broken, no need to waste money. I'm just unhappy about having to spend near a grand to get the car looking in top shape like 2 weeks after buying it.

Definitely the way I feel about it, shame parents don't see it the same way. Always going on if it's not broken, no need to waste money. I'm just unhappy about having to spend near a grand to get the car looking in top shape like 2 weeks after buying it.

well whats been up with it? cos to be fair it probably would of ran without any problems. but if you want a good car you gotta spend the money. at the end of the day its not brand new

Yer I definitely agree, well if you consider it all. The cambelt and the waterpump need replacing, that set me back 300. The door and the fitment which is getting done Tuesday is 200. The headgasket I've been told will cost about 300 as well to do. The exhaust after getting it up on a ramp and having a proper look at it was held in by cable ties, so I either have an option to get that welded or to get a full stainless. I probably will go with an aftermarket one which will cost another 250 quid. Then the air-conditioning needs regassing, another 50 pounds on top. And loads of little things to do, like it doesn't have rear floor mats, plus the door plastic cover has snapped off and needs a new drivers' side vent, so that would probably be another 50 on top.

Yer I definitely agree, well if you consider it all. The cambelt and the waterpump need replacing, that set me back 300. The door and the fitment which is getting done Tuesday is 200. The headgasket I've been told will cost about 300 as well to do. The exhaust after getting it up on a ramp and having a proper look at it was held in by cable ties, so I either have an option to get that welded or to get a full stainless. I probably will go with an aftermarket one which will cost another 250 quid. Then the air-conditioning needs regassing, another 50 pounds on top. And loads of little things to do, like it doesn't have rear floor mats, plus the door plastic cover has snapped off and needs a new drivers' side vent, so that would probably be another 50 on top.

yeah. surely you dont have to rush and do it all at once? i mean that vent can wait? the exhaust? can it wait? really you should of got the head gasket done when the belt was done. lesson to be learnt there. never mind. think how mint it will be when its done.

Yep, will have to wait :( Only option I have now. The exhaust just tends to rattle when accelerating, and I'm just like you Dan, little noises drive me mad. Do you remember how long it took you to figure out where that rattle was coming from.

People always forget performance cars are a premium not only to buy but to insure, maintain and run!

Probably why they exchange hands so quickly!

things like head gaskets are better done sooner rather than later. May cost you £300 but might save you frying a load of your engine!

I don't know how similar the gti oil breather system on the back of the block is to a mk2 HK lump, but white smoke can also be a sign of oil getting in (and burning) with the fuel (via the air filter box in my case). I had plumes of white smoke and severe jerkyness (to a halt pretty much), but it wasn't headgasket (which has also happened to me before ) it was just the oil clogging the carb as it was spurting up oil breather pipe from breather pod instead of just vapours when it works as it should. I did think when I saw the smoke 'oh no, not headgasket again!' but the car didn't overheat at all, oil light didn't even come on and still running as it should (obviously only drove it on and off flatbed, thank god!) though most of the oil is on edge of the A50. (major thanks to Rach for the tow btw, sorry she lost her towing eye! :))

I thought the jerkyness was ignition timing related (i.e. rotor arm) or even a dodgy fuel pump but relieved to find out it's cheapish to replace (the breather pod that is) though I'm taking the engine out again to do it just cause it's easier, and I can clean the oil off better- and it's a good excuse to do some work on the bay.

Like you I had no real signs of this going, no leaks or running high temp.

Well that's quite an essay (smoke for breakfast ) though you get the idea, might want to look at how similar yours is and if you can replace it cheapish, though getting headgasket done is also very sensible, trust me it's a pain when they go- water leak caused mine and killed the engineI'd just put in!