97 VW Polo

nc13 · 23-04-2009 8:53pm #1

My sister-in-law has a 1ltr 97 VW Polo with a breather hose problem. I'm not a machanic but I have done work on this car for the passed few years, like services and small repairs. There is a hose that goes from under the throthle body to the air filter housing that keeps getting blocked up with something that looks like vomit. The headgasket is ok and the engine runs great until this hose gets blocked. I keep cleaning it out when I service the car by blocking the hose and when the presure builds up let go and this vomit pours out. Has anyone heard of this or had it happen to them? How do I cure it?

crosstownk · 23-04-2009 9:01pm

Sounds like water mixing with oil. Do you have the same 'vomit' on the dipstick? Is it present on the underside of the oil filler cap? If so you have 'mayonaise' rather than 'vomit' and the chances are that the head gasket is leaking.

nc13 · 23-04-2009 9:03pm

No just in this hose. It's been happening for years now if it was the head it would have gone by now.

crosstownk · 23-04-2009 9:08pm

nc13 wrote: »

No just in this hose. It's been happening for years now if it was the head it would have gone by now.

Point taken.

The sludge you describe does sound like oil & water mixing. How often is the coolant topped up? Does the car consistently do short journeys? It sounds like moisture is getting into the crankcase. You need to determine where.

Is it possible that this hose is porous? Have you replaced it?

nc13 · 23-04-2009 9:11pm

Yes it does short trips. There wasnt any oil leaks that I could see the last time I looked. I have'nt replaced the pipe. Might try that. Thanks!

crosstownk · 23-04-2009 9:14pm

Check the pipe for cracks. I've often seen those breather pipes perished.

nc13 · 23-04-2009 9:20pm

Thanks for the advice. Would a crackin the pipe cause big build up of gunk? It seems to lodge under the throthle body.

Seweryn · 23-04-2009 9:53pm

nc13 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. Would a crackin the pipe cause big build up of gunk? It seems to lodge under the throthle body.

There is probably nothing wrong with the engine. The car drives to short distances, that's all. It is common problem for many engines used that way (sort drives, city traffic, etc.).

nc13 · 24-04-2009 2:15pm

Seweryn wrote: »

There is probably nothing wrong with the engine. The car drives to short distances, that's all. It is common problem for many engines used that way (sort drives, city traffic, etc.).

Will it cause damage or is there a way to cure it?

Hal1 · 24-04-2009 2:39pm

I would go on a good long drive to blow all the junk out of the engine, let everything get up to temp etc.

97 VW Polo

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