Burning smell... 96 Golf 1.8

Yeah, why did you mark your message to not be archived? The whole point of Usenet is for people to benefit from the knowledge of others.

Mike

Sorry. Will repost without X-No-Archive flag:

-- S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t

Lent my Golf 1.8 to a friend, when he returned it the oil level had dropped below min (not off the stick) and the coolant level had dropped below min. Never lost any coolant before. Car normally consumes a negligible amount of oil.

Now I have noticed two new things. After a short motorway trip the engine 'ticks' more after switching off the engine. From stopped, I notice a burning smell when revving a tad more than usual before letting in the clutch.

Engine runs OK otherwise, no low in power etc.

Any comments?

Now I've found some spots on head (see 3 spots in this picture).

-- S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t

"Signal" schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

It seems it's running little hotter then usual. This could explain the increase of oil and water use. Check out the o2 sensor and timing.

SFC

Check the coolant to see if there is oil in it and check the oil to see if there is coolant in it.

How long ago was the oil and coolant levels checked?

Thanks I'll ask my garage to do that.

-- S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t

The coolant looks green. I suppose there would be oil around the cap if it got in? Not sure how to check the oil for coolant.

Coolant about a month ago and a couple of weeks before that. Don't often check it's normally dead on the line. Oil checked regularly.

-- S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t

Yes, never, ever, lend a car to a friend. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER...

OK the coolant looks fine, and I haven't lost any more. The temperature gauge is behaving normally: rising to normal operating conditions and holding steady. No noticeable difference in driving. Still the burning smell when over revving slightly...

Here's what I see under the filler cap after a short run..

I am of course concerned he's blown the head gasket!

Appreciate the help guys..

-- S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t