Bought a secondhand car 3 days ago...

Gillyo_2

vax2002 wrote: »

There is no head gasket sensor, at most it could show a misfire on one of the cylinders, it needs a specific test to test for exhaust gasses in the coolant, similar to a test for antifreeze.
All the "print out" will be will be a list of the Vag-com error codes which will not diagnose the problem only help find which area it is in.
This code reading is a bit of a scam, a consumer does not need to know what the codes are, they are there for the mechanics help, not the consumer and I have seem literally thousands of pounds thrown away on chasing code faults when a simple scope test could have solved the problem in seconds.
The worst was a passat 1.8 20 v, £1300 spent changing components 2 and 3 times and the fault still existed.
It actually turned out to be spark plug 3 that had lost the end of its electrode, cost to change £43 including parts, 4x new plugs and 1 hours labour.
This was throwing vag com codes for faulty coil pack P0353 , misfire cylinder 3 (p303) and injector cylinder 3 voltage high P1203 + P1239 and airflow idle sensor P1509.
Eventually the "mechanic" code reader junkie gave the car back and said it was a leaking head gasket.
All this instead of pulling out the plugs for a look, you know like in the "old days" .

Yes, I see what you mean Vax. I remember my partners car for some reason all of a sudden would lose power whilst driving, especially when coming to a close stop. Not the best when entering an roundabout!! The car was taken to local garage, luckily it pin pointed the problem, it was one of the sensors, cam sensor I believe. The part was reasonable and labour also. Any back to my OP, today is a new day and we shall see what it brings:)

harveybobbles

The print out will just show any errors/fault codes stored. These couild be from several years ago. Best thing is to clear all the codes and then carry on driving.

As for the Head Gasket - any garage will be able to diagnose this easily...

Spitfire55

UnScrew the Cap where you Put Oil in.

Look Underneath the Cap if there is a Brown "Mayo" type liquid there you have a head gasket Failure

pitkin2020

Spitfire55 wrote: »

UnScrew the Cap where you Put Oil in.

Look Underneath the Cap if there is a Brown "Mayo" type liquid there you have a head gasket Failure

yes that will show it but you don't always get those signs.

As for getting your money back it would be a tough one as the dealer could fix it and you'd be fine, i'd of thought he would have to have that opportunity first.

funkycoldribena

Dave101t wrote: »

if it drove away, there wasnt a fault at point of sale.

Why don't you just stay away from the motoring and parking forums because everything you spout is utter garbage.

Gillyo_2

harveybobbles wrote: »

The print out will just show any errors/fault codes stored. These couild be from several years ago. Best thing is to clear all the codes and then carry on driving.

As for the Head Gasket - any garage will be able to diagnose this easily...

Thanks Harvey, they cleared the codes last night and asked daughter to take the car for a few miles drive, which she did, apparently on the way back the EM light came back on again.:shocked:

Gillyo_2

Spitfire55 wrote: »

UnScrew the Cap where you Put Oil in.

Look Underneath the Cap if there is a Brown "Mayo" type liquid there you have a head gasket Failure

Thanks Spitfire, have to say under the oil cap it does look rather mucky, not mayo style more like gritty.

Hammyman

Dave101t wrote: »

if it drove away, there wasnt a fault at point of sale.

BWAHAHA. What a load of horse manure.

fivetide

Gritty oil? Any service history at all?

5t.

david39

If the deposit inside the oil filler cap is thick, and plenty of it, then there may well be a head gasket problem.

If there is only a trace, this is quite normal. Additives in the oil are designed to pick up small traces of water condensation and desposit them out of harm's way at the coolest spot in the engine - this is normally the oil filler cap.