Quickie

Coolant level completely static for last 2000 miles then suddenly I found a load near my battery.......its come out of the expansion area - approx 300mils cames out

Is it possible to overfill - afterall its been fine for 2k miles

And another thing I noticed is that it looks like its boiling after a drive

Just today the Turbo seemed to stop making power - or rather the Turbo wasnt working - just doesnt wind up quickly (and is running very rich - was circa 0.8ish Lambda and now is at 0.66 Lamda at the top end - proves maybe the issue with Turbo spool)

Could a head gasket issue:

1. Cause coolant to boil/overflow out of the expansion breather
2. Cause me to lose power so that a Turbo does not spool

I also appear to have gone through rather a lot of oil lately (about half a litre in the last 500 miles - but then it does have Omega high compression pistons and Rods)

No misfiring issues, or det - and the car was running circa 1.8 bar held, overboosting to 2-2.1 Bar and went like a rocket

Now it feels lame and can only make 1.65-1.7bar on the rollers and on the road now!) and no obvious pipework problems although an APS Pipe did blow off twice recently - once at a very speed on the motorway at full boost! - this was just prior to the issue I had - I had to drive it circa 100 miles with no boost until I could reconnect (it in the wing so not so easy to get to!)

Comments

 

radiator fans coming on?..

 

Don't drive it. Compression test. Test for hydrocarbons in the coolant - the levels are usually dramatic.

A crack somewhere between the coolant jacket and the combustion chamber could be causing some of what you say. Additionally, if it is running low compression I think it could appear rich and spool up badly.

If you suddenly lost an intercooler pipe at high boost running a speed density ECU, I think it would run not bad.

 

Hopefully will have all resolved in the next few weeks!

 

Deciding to sell it was your best idea

 

Alan

Yup, I know - hopefully all will be ok - I suspect its the Turbo as the 1st Turbo I got was just the same - problematic

Looking at car options at the moment - my wife wants a Porsche GT2! (I fancied a fast runabout like the RS6!)

Will probably end up with neither and keep a couple of Scoobs

 

Had my head Gasket changed recently,same problem as you water overflowing near battery,dead cert tho was condensation/water mixed with the oil !,was loosing pressure and went thro 2 rads.changed the water pump and thermostat a same time just incase .Seems to be ok now

 

Thanks Jiliano

Its what I suspect!!

 

Head gasket(s) gone for sure.
Same issues as my Sti v3, one gone other was on it's way.

Expensive job.

 

Yeah - great!!

Doing the checks next Monday

I think I've fried the wires on the radiator - hence fans not working - hence the problems!!

 

Did you unclip that bit of loom that goes near the Gruppe-S headers and move it underneath the crossmember?

 

No!!

It was actually ok with the Gruppe S headers - but I put on new headers given the problems I experienced - and clearance must have been less

Hence partially melted wires and I think no fans. Headers are wrapped - but must be too close to wires!!

This would explain everything

Maybe I'll be lucky and its just the Turbo thats fried!

 

Use heat reflective velcro wrap around the wiring loom under the fan. No risk then if the wrap comes off.

Sorry to hear about the head gasket Steve.

Steven

ps think i might have found a solution for the infamous Gruppse s V1 headers blowing

 

Pray tell Steven

Is it what you did with Ads car?

 

Yeah, havent heard of it blowing since i did it, so assume its cured the problem.

 

Steve as well as the head gasket ask whomever to check the heads for cracks, I thought I had a gasket gone (Sti5) last summer but it wasn't it was the head castings.

Turbo failing would cause very rich running but might just be boost pipework related so worth getting that checked as well.

Re the fan loom, get the two lower mounting lugs ground off and the loom assy can then be moved back out of the way.

Ring if you like, was working untill 10:50 pm on Sat and so didn't get to see or hear any calls all day. Can't have the mobile around me when I'm mapping oem ecu's.

Fans are only a problem in traffic and when the car is otherwise stationary, on the move they have no influence under normal conditions btw.


Bob

 

Thanks all

Turns out was not fans related - my bro in law didnt look carfefully enough - yes the outer casing was slighly singed but wires inside were fine and the fans were working

Got a chemical test done and it clearly showed (after a while) that gases were getting into the coolant

Which will either mean head gaske/cylinder heads or both

I tried Roger Clark but they are busy until Mid June - so up it goes to David at API south of Leamington (its on its way there tomorrow to be looked at next week) - excellent......... will diagnose and then sort the Turbo - maybe the Turbo will be fine

Next thing on purchase list will be an EVC-R (or is it AVC-r?) - unless the sti5 ecu can control boost?

Yes - I know Bob - you've told me enough times to watch the boost and make sure it doesnt keep going to 2.2Bar!!! in 5th!!

Wonder if the Cylinder Heads, and/or head gasket would have caused a lot of noise on the Knocklink that I've been experiencing since the new Turbo?

 

Assuming you have had an EcuTeK remap Steve as you mention the Sti5 ECU ? (I thought you had a Link ? )
Either ECU "should" be able to control the boost ok but if you are still having boost control problems then it may be wise to use an AVC-R as it has the facility for you to run an everyday, low boost map and a special occassion high boost map.

It's more likely that the noise on the knocklink was the cause of the gasket/head damage rather than the other way round !

Andy

 

Andy steve has had a Link since early 2000, unfortunately steve has tried a variety of turbos and configurations, not always with my help, its unfortunate that he has had a problem but does go to show that you do need to have a plan and stick to it, his engines been noisy for ages, not det related though, least not when I've had my cans on it, he could fit an AVC-R, actualy Steve I have one in stock so we can talk about that if you like, API will do a good job but remind them that they need to match the compression to what it is now (8.5 to 1).

Steve, puzzled by your overboost comment since you've not mentioned it, least not since you put the last turbo on. Always pretty solid at 1.9 when ever I've been with you.

I suspect there is nothing wrong with the turbo, ask them to check bores and pistons for scoring since egt's will have been up in the air. Should be ok with the clearances but you never know.

My heads just cracked, I do use an AVC-R and that made no nevermind to that effect.

Oh reverse the fuel flow as well while you are at it.

cheers

bob

 

Yes

Its fair to say that I've had at least one stupid Turbo moment!!

Re anything up with the car - well at least I learn more every month about these cars!!

and at least I can afford it - thats the relief!!

Oil catch, avc-r, a a few gauges will be next on the shopping basket

I see that Audi are bringing out a new RS4 that I like the look of (NO TURBO's) means very little modifications!!