The Ever Increasing List Of Issues...

[shaundean 0]

Having read a few threads that cover some of the problems I’m having I’ve decided to create a new one as I have a nice collection of them now.

I have a 1.9gti 8v. The engine was changed in November last year for one out of a 1990 model. It has got to the point where the problems are coming along faster than I can identify/fix them so if anyone has experienced them or can help me identify them it can save me some time and more importantly money.

 

Firstly, as the description says I have an unidentified oil leak, I did a search on the forum and I’m now convinced it’s going to be the crank case after reading some of the posts and taking a look with a friend. There is oil falling onto the driveshaft and spraying over the bulkhead and also running down from the top of the block.

 

A more pressing issue is that the water is overheating, even on short runs to work etc. I changed the thermostat and changed the water (to make sure the mix was right) over the bank holiday and no luck. The previous block leaked water and consequently the engine was ran dry on many occasions so my question is is the radiator ruined and could a new one solve this?

 

Another known issue from the engine swap is that one or more of the gear linkages is “slack” so 3rd, 4th and sometimes fifth will not select and will cause me to grind quite badly if I’m not paying attention and taking the change smoothly. Herman (Neil) has told me I can get new ones on here, is that from Miles?

 

The biggest worry I have now is a recent development. I have a “tapetty”/ticking sound and a louder/deeper exhaust note, it might just be my head playing tricks on me but reading up on it on here it sounds like a cracked manifold isn’t out of the question. To give some more information it does seem to get faster/louder when accelerating as people have said in the other threads.

 

Also – more of an annoyance then anything – if anyone’s in my area with any experience with Toad and/or Clifford systems my immobiliser is playing up when the car is getting very hot. The immobiliser won’t disarm and I have to wait (often in supermarket car parks or at the pub) for the car to cool down, then disconnect the battery to reset the system. The Toad has never worked in the 9ish years I have known the car (previous owner and myself) so if it’s this then I could do with getting it out of there and just stick to the Clifford.

 

Bit of a long thread but as I said it’s getting on top of me now. Also the car is a daily runner and my only transport so I have to work on it in the evenings when I can get it on the drive and it’s cooled down or p**s the missus off and do it a weekend instead of seeing her (don’t like to anger the beast).

 

Thanks for reading

 

Shaun

[willmounsey 1]

Miles is the guy for gear rods mate, I'd also look at the condition of the bushes on the L bracket on the subframe as these also can be a cause of sloppy gear selection.

 

The tappety sound I'm also getting and from what I've read it can be caused by cracked or leaking manifold, I'd take the manifold off check the gaskets and clean both surfaces before refitting, also check the mani for any hair line cracks as the two I've got both have.

 

Will

[shaundean 0]

Took another look last night and for the first time noticed a puff of white smoke coming up the back of the engine on a cold (well whatever temp it was last night) start. investigated and there is definitely exhaust gases leaking up the back of the block and it gets very hot very fast. could this be the cause of the tapping and the over temperature issues?

[HERMAN 33]

A up Shaun you have a four branch stainless manifold if my memory is correct. Not a cast iron one. I recon you have a leaking exhaust manifold gasket. It did have a new one when Craig fitted the engine but you do give it some loud peddal so it may have blown out.

I would get one of those rads from coolex/Nottingham radiators and fit that. £40 for piece of mind. Also have you bleed the coolant system?

An oil leak on the back of the engine could be any of the following.

Cam cover (easy job)

Head gasket (Harder job)

Dip stick (easy job)

Sump gasket or ladder plate (easy job)

If you want me to have a look I will but I dont think I will have time to do all the jobs as I am a busy man as you know. I have some Traffic Film Remover which you can have some off it is great at cleaning off oil in engine bays.

You have my number give me a ring.

Your engine came from a guy on here user name = Simes, just thought you might like to know?

Regards

Neil

[shaundean 0]

A up Shaun you have a four branch stainless manifold if my memory is correct. Not a cast iron one. I recon you have a leaking exhaust manifold gasket. It did have a new one when Craig fitted the engine but you do give it some loud peddal so it may have blown out.

I would get one of those rads from coolex/Nottingham radiators and fit that. £40 for piece of mind. Also have you bleed the coolant system?

An oil leak on the back of the engine could be any of the following.

Cam cover (easy job)

Head gasket (Harder job)

Dip stick (easy job)

Sump gasket or ladder plate (easy job)

If you want me to have a look I will but I dont think I will have time to do all the jobs as I am a busy man as you know. I have some Traffic Film Remover which you can have some off it is great at cleaning off oil in engine bays.

You have my number give me a ring.

Your engine came from a guy on here user name = Simes, just thought you might like to know?

Regards

Neil

 

Cheers Neil

 

Definitely got the 4 branch and yes plenty of "loud pedal"!

Judging by how high up the oil seems to be I am leaning towards the cam cover.

Latest development the starter motor has worked itself loose/a bolt has gone so got to whip inlet manifold off and tighten it up. Going to replace the gasket on the inlet mani too because I didn't when I changed the starter. Just about to order cam seal, exhaust gasket and inlet gasket from buy-parts-by and find some new starter motor bolts just in case.

 

I'll update with how I go on assuming the weather improves.

[shaundean 0]

Had a really good few days with getting things sorted so I thought I’d post up what I’ve managed to get done and what I still need to finish.

 

Following my last post I used service box to get part numbers and prices for inlet manifold, exhaust manifold and rocker cover gaskets.

Started with the exhaust, struggled with the heat shield mounting stud getting in the way until I lopped off the end to get the manifold back on , took it for a drive to the girlfriends and the clutch cable went half way there leaving me to negotiate a couple of tight turns and a narrow road over the causeway in 4th!

The cable had not snapped but the plastic that sat against the bulkhead had disintegrated so the whole cable plus sheath came trough the bulkhead and lost all tension in the cable. I bodged this with a split washer once the plastic was the correct side of the bulkhead so I could get it home. New clutch cable from the factors went in and feels like new!

 

The rocker cover caused me days of grief. First the bolt furthest to the right had been tightened so much that the head stripped off when I removed it. The cam housing had to come out and the broken piece removed using the delicate application of a small chisel and a hammer to rotate it.

Back that went with a new bolt and seal, still got some leakage so I popped a bead of sealant on it and no more oil!!!

 

This week I have removed the centre box of the exhaust, got it welded in the workshop at work and is now back on, a little bit of exhaust paste was needed to fully seal the forward joint and now I can actually drive it around without the ear defenders!

 

Did an oil and filter change whilst the car was up on the ramps too, this seems to have helped the cooling problems I was having but a new radiator will be on order this weekend when the guy’s at Coolex are back from the holidays.

 

Oh and I even managed to pick up a door pocket from the local breakers, it’s the lighter grey than my 1.5 so I’m going to try a bit of plastic spray to see how close a match I can get and tart it up a bit for Ashby Folville car and bike meet next week.

 

So I’m a happier motorist again

[HERMAN 33]

Hello Shaun I have some plasticare that might do to stain your door pocket.

Has Craig told you that I could do with a lift to Ashby next week?

Neil

[shaundean 0]

Hello Shaun I have some plasticare that might do to stain your door pocket.

I have had a thought on what to do with the door pockets to make them a bit different. I'm going to get a price at the weekend but I think it's going to be cheap anyway. Keeping it under my hat for now but if I pull it off I'll post on here to help the guy get some business.

 

Hope the wrist/shoulder is getting better