# Uh oh...\[Headgasket?\] VW Content Inside... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [September 20, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805 "2009-09-20T18:08:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/1 "2009-09-20T18:08:52Z")
Hopefully someone can help me with this issue… Lately I’ve noticed when I start my car there is a puff of white smoke that comes from the muffler. After investigating further I realized this is not smoke but steam with a hint of coolant. Initially I thought “oh no! Blown headgasket!” but my car has not been over heating and the oil is not the milky color it would be. But…the coolant does appear to be slightly brown in color, leading me to believe it may be the oil cooler? I have not done a compression test nor have I checked the spark plugs to see if any are blasted clean from coolant leaks. So any input into my issue would be appreciated. I know something is up, just not completely sure yet… _1.8T motor, mk4 jetta with 140k_ ---
**Author:** ![Tim](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tim/32/5211_2.png) [@Tim](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Tim)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/2 "2009-09-20T18:10:44Z")
I’m pretty sure when that happens its moisture inside the motor. Happens with bikes a lot. Could be wrong though :lol: ---
**Author:** ![AShort](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ashort/32/4947_2.png) [@AShort](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AShort)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/3 "2009-09-20T20:17:24Z")
chris if you wanna do a compression test tomorrow shoot me a text :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/4 "2009-09-20T20:19:42Z")
^Would you mind? I’m free after 3 tomorrow ---
**Author:** ![AShort](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ashort/32/4947_2.png) [@AShort](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AShort)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/5 "2009-09-20T20:58:18Z")
> [@Motocrossx23](#): > > ^Would you mind? I’m free after 3 tomorrow not at all, just give me a buzz when ur free and you can swing over my house and we’ll check out that bitch. ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/6 "2009-09-21T09:37:43Z")
id do a compression test on the cylinders and pressure test on the coolant system ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 9:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/7 "2009-09-21T09:55:17Z")
This is what you get for buying a VW. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/8 "2009-09-21T10:22:55Z")
☹ ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/9 "2009-09-21T16:37:52Z")
i dont think its what you get for buying a vw, but more what you get for buying a 4cyl. as 4cyl engines are almost always prone to this no matter what manufacturer it is. wait this car is 4cyl right? have you found the problem yet? its a nice car be shame to have to tear into the engine for a reason other then more power ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Josh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/10 "2009-09-21T16:44:27Z")
> [@95dime](#): > > i dont think its what you get for buying a vw, but more what you get for buying a 4cyl. as 4cyl engines are almost always prone to this no matter what manufacturer it is. > > wait this car is 4cyl right? > > have you found the problem yet? its a nice car be shame to have to tear into the engine for a reason other then more power nope, it’s a 1.8 liter 8 cylinder jetta. ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/11 "2009-09-21T16:47:42Z")
> nope, it’s a 1.8 liter 8 cylinder jetta sorry im not up to par on these baby motors. thought some came in a v6 :mamoru: so whats the result on the comp test? ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/12 "2009-09-21T16:48:43Z")
time to sell it and buy a blazer. \<3 ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/13 "2009-09-21T16:52:32Z")
Lol @ Willybeen I didn’t get a chance to run the tests today, school kept me longer than I anticipated, no smoke was noticed today though, I’m still in the dark as to what the issue is ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/14 "2009-09-21T17:57:10Z")
why not check a vw forums. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/15 "2009-09-21T18:06:01Z")
I posted up on DITB and VWVortex as well ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/16 "2009-09-21T18:12:08Z")
word… so smurt. ---
**Author:** ![Minglor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/minglor/32/7373_2.png) [@Minglor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Minglor)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/17 "2009-09-22T03:39:59Z")
> [@95dime](#): > > i dont think its what you get for buying a vw, but more what you get for buying a 4cyl. as 4cyl engines are almost always prone to this no matter what manufacturer it is. > > wait this car is 4cyl right? > > have you found the problem yet? its a nice car be shame to have to tear into the engine for a reason other then more power Wait, What? Please explain this for me. ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/18 "2009-09-22T09:40:09Z")
> Wait, What? > > Please explain this for me. due to their smaller size and fewer cylinders they have to do more work to achieve the same power output as a larger engine in a similar size car. therefore since theyre doing more work they are putting more wear and break down on internal parts, not just in actual tolerances but in molecular structure. they typically need more rpms which also attributes to that wear along with more fluctuation in heat cycles. so if theyre doing more work and under more stess then theyre more prone to failure. yes theyre getting better with designs but the majority of 4cylinder engines out there are still for “cheap eco throw away cars” so they are getting skimped on those designs and quality control. ---
**Author:** ![Minglor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/minglor/32/7373_2.png) [@Minglor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Minglor)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/19 "2009-09-22T14:19:35Z")
I wasn’t serious. And your theory is funny. I really expected a j/k at the end of that. In regard to the OP. Start reading the vortex. If you are not using coolant I wouldn’t worry. I would just give the cooling system a good flush and take it from there ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805/20 "2009-09-22T14:22:18Z")
Yeah, it can’t hurt to flush the coolant, I’ll probably do that this weekend. God knows how old it is, one of the downsides of buying private party used cars. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/uh-oh-headgasket-vw-content-inside/73805.md?page=2)