Re: The VW Cabrio Mystery -- What's the Verdict?

["Richard Haroutunian" <Richard_Haroutunian@inso.com>]

I printed out all you r e-mails and took them home this weekend to look at
the car.

Here's where it all stands -

I re-looked at the plugs -- no shmeg, no discoloration.  I looked under the
car to find the leak source -- nothing indicates the head is leaking.
Started car -- no leaks after 5 mins of running, no smoke -- nothing wrong.
Checked the oil -- oil is fine -- no discoloration! No loss in level! --
perfect Castrol synth color (you should have seen how much liquid poured
out of this car, man! gallons=!).

This is all I have done, but after I ran it for 5 mins and nothing happened
-- didn't overheat, I am leaning towards water pump because if the gasket
had failed -- it should have leaked right away, no?  It seemed as if the
pressure in the cooling system needed to build up first, then overheat and
leak in the pump.

Someone else on the list explained that coolant, when used, can be rust
colored -- and it is 50% oil-based which explains the oily texture.   Plus,
how could so much liquid come out of the car -- and be oil when the oil is
at the same leave as before it all happened.  Maybe it was 95% coolant 5%
oil, but...

So, let me know your thoughts (if any).  If you have time to fax that
stuff-  I could use it, but if not that's OK.  I 'm debating on whether or
not to take it 1 mile down the road to my Audi guy and spending a few bucks
to get a verdict.

Love you hear your verdict after this info -- there are more clues now
after I let it run -- like no smoke, no leaking, no overheating -- it only
leaks when it overheats!

We can do this !  My fax is 617.753.6667 if you have the timen -- thanks so
much, Chris....

PS. For all those with some extra time -- I'm taking a poll , what's your
verdict?  H2o Pump -- or head gasket and why?

BTW -- I took a poll last week with the brake rotor 'shimmy' e-mail and 99%
of you responded with a 'warped rotors' verdict!  We'll know today -- I bet
you're all right.. usually are.

Richard

87 5KCSTQ
85 4KSQ
82 VW Cabrio