205 1.6 GTi, many problems... and possibly a blown HG!
Discussion
Hi, maybe you can help???
There's a noise from the engine I dont like the sound of, its a knocking/tapping/clicking sound when accelerating... This has been going on for a few months now and I've had to put 4 litres of oil in her over that time (probably about 1,500 - 2,000 miles). She's not leaking, but there is oil consumption somewhere. Any obvious root causes???
Last time I put a litre in, there was white stuff round the oil filler cap - I know what this means and I dont like the sound of it, a new head gasket is not cheap! With the above, can there be other reasons to this?
Another point to note is she has always had bad idle revs, from 900 - 1400 rpm, and when starting from cold, it can be very erratic and misfires. I've bought some new plugs and leads but need to install these still. Are there other points to check? fuel injection? air flow, etc?
Thanks for your time!
Steve
There's a noise from the engine I dont like the sound of, its a knocking/tapping/clicking sound when accelerating... This has been going on for a few months now and I've had to put 4 litres of oil in her over that time (probably about 1,500 - 2,000 miles). She's not leaking, but there is oil consumption somewhere. Any obvious root causes???
Last time I put a litre in, there was white stuff round the oil filler cap - I know what this means and I dont like the sound of it, a new head gasket is not cheap! With the above, can there be other reasons to this?
Another point to note is she has always had bad idle revs, from 900 - 1400 rpm, and when starting from cold, it can be very erratic and misfires. I've bought some new plugs and leads but need to install these still. Are there other points to check? fuel injection? air flow, etc?
Thanks for your time!
Steve
If its using oil, runs rough, and has mayo-like substance around the oil filler cap, its most likely that it is the head gasket.
If it's definitely not leaking oil, there's not alot it could be, and a blown head gasket is one of them. The only other 2 problems that could be using excessive oil are knackered valve stem oil seals, or worn piston rings (unlikely).
The tapping sound that it has could also be a blown head gasket, as it could be leaking gases out the side of the cylinder head.
If it's definitely not leaking oil, there's not alot it could be, and a blown head gasket is one of them. The only other 2 problems that could be using excessive oil are knackered valve stem oil seals, or worn piston rings (unlikely).
The tapping sound that it has could also be a blown head gasket, as it could be leaking gases out the side of the cylinder head.
The knocking noise is either pinking if it's a tinny rattle or big ends if it really is more of a solid knock. The oil consumption is pistons/bores and/or valve guide wear. The engine is likely on its last legs and past due for a complete rebuild or replacement. Camshafts also wear badly on this engine so I suspect that has gone too and taken the cam followers with it.
I shouldn't plan any long trips.
I shouldn't plan any long trips.
Egg Chaser, thanks very much for that advice. I've just heard back from my Cypriot mechanic and he doesnt think the HG has gone (He told me the gaskets on the GTi's are suprisingly robust considering its got french engineering written all over it!). Not sure what tests he did but water is not mixing with oil and exhaust gases dont contain an overly high % of hydrocarbons...
He did however comment on the valves. I'll find out more in due course, but I think a real engineer will have to take the reigns and pull out the head to get a better look.
Puma Racing, thanks too for your link. I bought the little nipper as a working project and pick up some valuable mechanic skills. Of course, the tools I have limit how much I can do, but half the fun is getting under the bonnet. I would like to give the engine a re-build this summer, but need to read up and prepare heavily before I commit. If you've got more advice, I'm all ears!
Thanks
He did however comment on the valves. I'll find out more in due course, but I think a real engineer will have to take the reigns and pull out the head to get a better look.
Puma Racing, thanks too for your link. I bought the little nipper as a working project and pick up some valuable mechanic skills. Of course, the tools I have limit how much I can do, but half the fun is getting under the bonnet. I would like to give the engine a re-build this summer, but need to read up and prepare heavily before I commit. If you've got more advice, I'm all ears!
Thanks
I suggest you read my 205 tuning article.
http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/PUG2058V.htm
That plus a Haynes manual is all you need for a rebuild but it's an ideal time to improve the engine with cam, head and compression ratio work. I'd also go straight to a 1.9 if you need to replace most of the internals anyway.
http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/PUG2058V.htm
That plus a Haynes manual is all you need for a rebuild but it's an ideal time to improve the engine with cam, head and compression ratio work. I'd also go straight to a 1.9 if you need to replace most of the internals anyway.
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