Skoda Fabia:Sludge in engine

gimpchimp

Hi Guys

I need some advice and hoped someone could help me. We have an old 2003 Skoda Fabia that has just over a 100k in miles on the clock. In Jan 2011 the Skoda dealership told us we needed a new head gasket as we were loosing water from the cooling system and the engine pressure wasnt right. So we paid 800 + euro to have it fixed as it needed a new head gasket. We were still loosing water but it wasnt as bad ie we werent topping the water up every three days but every two weeks or so.

In October 2011 the engine was making very loud tappet noises after a trip to Northern Ireland. We took the car back to the dealership who, after investigation, said an engine pipe was blocked and we needed another head gasket which would cost 600+ (they let us off with about 200 euro). All was fine for a while.

December 2011 we started loosing water again and was asked to bring the car back. We have just saved some money to get the car looked at again and we are worried about the cost of this new repair.

Ive brought to their attention the fact that there is (again) lots of sludge in the engine but they keep telling me that is no reason for concern and its normal. But if you see the amount of sludge in the engine I cannot see how that is normal. Please see the two pics. I cannot see any oil through the filler cap, just sludge but I cant help thinking that since I have to top up the cooling water every two-three days that it is leaking into the engine. Myself or the dealership cant find any leaks anywhere else which makes me think even more that the cooling system is leaking into the engine, but they deny this.





As I know very little about engines I was hoping someone could advise me whether this amount of sludge is normal and is it possible for the cooling water to leak into engine?

Many thanks

MidlandsM

That is clearly a case of oil in water.......no denying that.

mathepac

It looks like there's more coolant than oil in the sump of that car. That is not normal. Having any sludge inside the oil filler cap is cause for concern - those pictures would cause me to panic.

Tea drinker

mathepac wrote: »

It looks like there's more coolant than oil in the sump of that car. That is not normal. Having any sludge inside the oil filler cap is cause for concern - those pictures would cause me to panic.

I've seen a couple of failed gaskets, that's the worst I've seen.
Dealership need to do some leakdown tests, prove it's the headgasket (or head) and replace as necessary.
Possible it's an oil cooler problem but given the history I doubt it.
This needs to be fixed now.

gimpchimp

Thanks for your reply guys. The car is booked in to the dealership again for them to take a look. Is there anything I can ask them to take a look at (apart from the sludge as they say that is normal) ie something blocked/ missing?

many thanks

ps Just seen your reply Tea drinker- I'll ask them about the leakdown test to see if its the head gasket. Could it be the head gasket again though since Ive had two in the last year?

thanks again

Tea drinker

The fact you have had 2 in the last year tells you at least one of them was not done right. I am wondering how much you should contribute to this 3rd repair?
Which engine is this BTW?

gimpchimp

Tea drinker wrote: »

The fact you have had 2 in the last year tells you at least one of them was not done right. I am wondering how much you should contribute to this 3rd repair?
Which engine is this BTW?

You are right and the way I look at it is that I first took it to the dealership in Jan 2011 and after two head gaskets and besides a brief period between Oct-Dec the problem has not been resolved.

Not sure whether its a BMW engine (wife is out in the car). Are they prone to head gasket problems?

many thanks

AzureAuto

Seems to me there is an underlying problem that is causing your coolant loss, but all the garage appears to be doing is rectifying the effect rather than identifying the cause. By the time the car has overheated to the extent of the head gasket warping it is too late to identify the original reason.
I would suggest you return to the dealer, explain that you feel an unsatisfactory job has been done twice and that they have an obligation to cover your costs because the original fault as not fixed. If they take on the work again, ask them to sign a disclaimer saying that they agree to rectify the faulty head gasket, but also to identify and fix the cause of the leak. This should have some legal standing if you are in theis situation again. Monkeys.

gimpchimp

Thanks for the advice AzureAuto.

I'm going to see what they have to say in a couple of days. I'm guessing another gasket or new engine is on the cards. Not sure I'm looking forward to paying for either though..

many thanks

SouperComputer

"Some" amount of goop on the oil filler cap and or dipstick , especially during colder months is normal. Especially with shorter runs as the oil doesn't heat up enough to evaporate the moisture.

What you are experiencing however, as others have pointed looks excessive. Does this engine have an oil heat exchanger? They can be a source of coolant-oil mixing and often get misdiagnosed as a head gasket leak.

listermint

gimpchimp wrote: »

You are right and the way I look at it is that I first took it to the dealership in Jan 2011 and after two head gaskets and besides a brief period between Oct-Dec the problem has not been resolved.

Not sure whether its a BMW engine (wife is out in the car). Are they prone to head gasket problems?

many thanks

it wouldnt be a bmw engine, its either skoda designed alla 2003 early model or the specific fabia engine used in VW polo. (VAG engine)


Either way looks nasty. Id honestly be contemplating if a repair was worth it. To me, its doesnt look like it is.

Mr Benevolent

Probably the 1.4, well known for going pop.

gimpchimp

gimpchimp wrote: »

................ So we paid 800 + euro to have it fixed as it needed a new head gasket. We were still loosing water but it wasnt as bad ie we werent topping the water up every three days but every two weeks or so........................

Did you bring it back to them there and then?

Confab wrote: »

Probably the 1.4, well known for going pop.

Not in that manner though Confabers.

colm_mcm

Engine cover looks like a 1.4 mpi