[Vwdiesel] Runaway 1.5NA Golf Downunder

[Shawn Wright]

Yes! Too much oil can definitely cause a runaway. This was the case on my Jetta TD 
a few years ago. No serious damage to the engine fortunately. Why are you 
replacing the head gasket? As a result of the runaway, or was it leaking already? My 
TD continued to run fine for another 3 years after my runaway, even after it pegged 
the tach (well over 6k rpm I estimated) twice before I killed it. In the TD, the problem 
can also be caused by a plugged air filter, since the turbo can generate enough 
vacuum to suck air from whereever it can, in my case from the valve cover, taking oil 
with it. In the NA engines, there isn't enough vacuum to cause this I wouldn't think, 
but pooling oil in the intake/filter is the usual problem.

On 18 Nov 2004 at 19:48, Mike Dwyer <kermut at tpg.com.au> wrote:

> Hi Guys,
>  
> Further to my first post regarding my runaway 1.5NA golf - and your very
> helpful replies, I began a very quick inspection when I was home in
> Adelaide last weekend.
>  
> As I suspected, the air cleaner was full of oil (element was soaked and
> oil was actually pooled in the bottom of the inlet plenum).
>  
> My question is this - this engine previously did not use any oil. A
> 700km trip from Mebourne to Adelaide at 60mph - no oil usage.
>  
> The car was serviced (by a mechanic) after this - and when I checked the
> dip stick after the runaway which was 2 days later) - it was at least 1
> litre OVERFULL!
>  
> With this much additional oil in the sump - at 100km/h (60mph) would
> this create enough pressure to cause a runaway??
>  
> The engine still rotates and I intend to put in a new head gasket (first
> time for me but I have to learn sometime) but I'm curious if too much
> oil in the sump can cause a runaway - and not necessarily a broken/worn
> ring.....
>  
> I have also tracked down the updated breather Y type hose that connects
> back to the vacuum pump fitting on the block. It currently just has a
> pipe from the valve cover straight to the air cleaner.
>  
> By the way the car has only 180,000km on the clock - genuine, so I would
> like to save it.
>  
> Happy to hear your thoughts.
>  
> Take care,
> Aussie Mike
>  
>  
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--
Shawn Wright
I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School