My 3B project (ongoing)

[Dobby84]

Bloody Weather

Just keeping this thread going, I haven't given up I promiss just been hampered by the weather as I currently do not have a garage to work in.

I have a few parts waiting to be installed as soon as the garage is finished or the weather drys up. The S2 is parked up in my field at the moment whilse the building work goes on so it doesnt get c**p all over it.

[simon20vq]

Mate I really feel for you on this one. Can't believe you have had some much bad luck. Keep smiling.

[Dobby84]

Mate I really feel for you on this one. Can't believe you have had some much bad luck. Keep smiling.

Cheers mate,

Its getting there all be it rather slowly, cash flow has been the main issue as I have many other things besides the car to sort out in the last few months and not that the weather has turned against me I will be limited to the weekends really bar the odd even WHEN my new garage is finished. lol

[simon20vq]

Well when its running right you will be well pleased. Mine looks a shed but with the 'homefry' goes like sh*t off a shovel. Wasted a focus rs yesterday in the wet and the guys face was a picture, mine was as well when I aqua planed on to the other side of the road on a bend!!

[Dobby84]

Im still here!

Hey guys, been a bit slack with the updates as the internet at work has been restricted now and I have been without a computer for a while.

Anyway I hope everyone is okay.

Basically nothing has happened with the S2 the last few months mainly due to funds and the weather. Thankfully I have a 1.9tdi avant that Im chugging around in which helps the old cash flow.

Right now for the questions. Does anyone have the part number for the temp switch at the bottom of the radiator on my 3B, the three pin one? Im still struggling with the radiator fan not coming on and the coolant system pressurising.

Also need a replacement speedo gauge for the 1.9 tdi as mine does not read the millage anymore?

Cheers guys!

[Dobby84]

Rubbish!

Just took th e s2 around the block to blow out the cobwebs.
On returning the my driveway big clouds of steam came from under the bonnet!

Opened it up and it looks like its coming from around the water pump area. Engine apart agian I guess!

[TimE-J]

Have a look at the turbo water pipe as that runs behind the timing cover and has a small rubber pipe underneath the inlet manifold were the metal pipe joints the water manifold. This pipe blew on my car and you can change it with just removing the PAS pump but it is a right PITA. Hope this helps alittle.

[Dobby84]

Finally bitten the bullet.

I have finally got tired of not having time to fix the S2.

Luckily a friend of a friend owns a garage down in Bournemouth so this weekend so we drove it down (on the back of a recovery truck) and dropped it off. The plan is to start with tests and examine the water pump and then go from there. Hoffer has kindly agreed to help out when he can as the garage in an Alfa Specialist although the guy knows old German cars pretty well so should be all good.

I'll try keep this updated with the progress but the plan is to have it back on the road before mid-April to allow some running in time as Im off to Spa and 'The Ring' hopefully for some fun.

[TimE-J]

Good to hear your still persevering with your s2!

[simon20vq]

Keep smiling it will be worth it in the end. Hope to hear more soon.

[s2_bo]

Sorry to hear your still having problems. You have been so patient with then car too!

If the rubber hose that connects the turbo water feed to the water namifold has gone (which if it's original it could well have done by now) then that would explain the steam. But not the pressure.

One way to check for HG leaks is to run it on for a few minutes, then turn it off and slowly open the expansion thank to let off pressure. Then close it again and start the car for 10 secs, switch it off again and open the expansion tank again. If its already under pressure then the HG is porb leaking combustion gasses in to the coolant.
You can also run it with the cap off to see if you get any large bubbles coming up.
When my HG went I tested it like this and it showed up right away. The AA man was convinced that the water pump was to blame but he couldn't explane the bubbles or instant compression and steam out the exhaust..


Did you replace the water pump and cam belt when you swapped heads?
Did you use new oem head bolts and tighten them to the correct spec and in the corect sequence?

Really ope you can sort this out with out to much trouble..

Good luck.


P.s. going back a bit but the bumper you swapped was actually genuin rs2 iirc. The previous owner that fitted it just couldn't get hold of the right oval lights so adapted it to fit the stock s2 lights and indicators. such a shame.

[Dobby84]

Cheers for the post

Sorry to hear your still having problems. You have been so patient with then car too!
I know it will be worth the wait.

If the rubber hose that connects the turbo water feed to the water namifold has gone (which if it's original it could well have done by now) then that would explain the steam. But not the pressure.
Last time I had the head off i did check that hose and it seemed fine but it may have split or come loose since then.

One way to check for HG leaks is to run it on for a few minutes, then turn it off and slowly open the expansion thank to let off pressure. Then close it again and start the car for 10 secs, switch it off again and open the expansion tank again. If its already under pressure then the HG is porb leaking combustion gasses in to the coolant.
You can also run it with the cap off to see if you get any large bubbles coming up.
When my HG went I tested it like this and it showed up right away. The AA man was convinced that the water pump was to blame but he couldn't explane the bubbles or instant compression and steam out the exhaust..
Thanks for the tips, I will pass this information onto the mechanic that will be doing the work. I have a feeling it is the head gasket as I did have a sniffer test done and the tank did bubble up.


Did you replace the water pump and cam belt when you swapped heads?
The water pump seemed nice and smooth when I took it off so didnt replace it. I probably should've though but cash was tight.
Did you use new oem head bolts and tighten them to the correct spec and in the corect sequence?
I replaced the bolts. All the parts used came from QuattroCorner so not nasty cheap stuff.

Really ope you can sort this out with out to much trouble..
So does my bank balance

Good luck.


P.s. going back a bit but the bumper you swapped was actually genuin rs2 iirc. The previous owner that fitted it just couldn't get hold of the right oval lights so adapted it to fit the stock s2 lights and indicators. such a shame.

[s2_bo]

Do you know if the head you fitted was skimmed before you fitted it?

Maybe it's just a couple of thou wrapped and needed skimming and the gasket held it until now but has now worn through?

If that's the case you might ( if it's not got worse from overheating) be able to getaway with a skim and just replace gasket and bolts.

Shame you didn't use arp head bolts as they can be reused and om ones can't which is such a waste when they are only a few months old..

I would say the cambelt will be fine to reuse though. Even though people say they shouldn't be relighted I can't see it being a problem if it's only been fitted for such a short period of time.

Re the water pump. Audi do it as an exchange for under £50 so it's worth doing if your taking it all apart again.
Hopefully that wont be the case though...

Again, good luck and let us know how you get on..

[Greg_S]

for the sake of £20 id change the cambelt anyway given the cost of a failure

[Dobby84]

Again thanks for the info.
The head was rebuilt fairly recently which included a skim so we shall see. If the head gasket has gone then the head will be off and crack tested and skimmed whatever. Ill have the block tested to see if that need flatting back too but should be okay.

The mechanic is going to check the waterpump anyway as it has to come off so may look into the Audi exchange thing anyway. ARP bolts are very expensive but probably would've saved me money looking back on it. Maybe this time I will invest.

All belts will be changed again.