Oil in water, 1993 2.0 16v coupe

[Studukes]

Hi I bought a 93 coupe that had been stood for 4 years checked everthing I could got it and got it running to take for an mot, got 10 miles down the road and the engine note changed and oil light flikkered on so I stopped immediately, no oil on the dip stick but loads of sludge in the expansion tank, it was all fine before I set off. The car went into my mates garage and had a new head gasket fitted and the head checked and they warmed the car up and everything was fine, but on my way home exactly the same thing happened as before the oil was pushed into the expansion tank. Just wondered what else could have gone wrong?
Is the block gone or does the ace engine have a water cooled oil cooler that could have gone?

Any help appriciated.

Cheers stu

[A4 Lad]

I have had problems with various engines like this over my years of mechanicing. Replaced head gasket and got head skimmed, pressure tested and x rayed ( did you get it checked or just skimmed ? ) .... same problem, everyone assumes the block. I have my suspisionsthat the heads are not checked properly. I would recommend a new plant for her ( engine )

[kenney]

replace the oil cooler

[scotty33]

If it helps, it's the part that the oil filter seals to.

[A4 Lad]

Or not

[Crasher]

replace the oil cooler

x2

[Studukes]

I paid to have the head pressure tested and skimmed, will be having a look at the oil cooler sometime during the week after work.

Cheers for the help guys, stu

[Crasher]

You had the head removed due to oil in the water before replacing the oil cooler! In the vast majority of cases, oil in the water can only come from a failed oil cooler. Water in the oil would be a head gasket, not oil in the water.

[Studukes]

Yes crasher, didn't know anything about the oil cooler and the car was booked into my mates for the cam belt to be replaced so asked them to do the gasket at the same time. Had exactly the same problem with oil in the water on my 325i sport and it was a cracked head so just assumed it was the same problem on the Audi. I know now that oil pressure light and no rev counter is an alternator problem and brake fluid light is power steering pump, :) now know oil in water is oil cooler, never mind you live and learn.

Stu

[Bobreoc]

Hi
Quick reply to this thread I've got an Audi coupe same age which has sat for a while also... There is oil in the water which was suspected head gasket but with a bit of research I have concluded the oil cooler is at fault.
But it's having trouble with start up now and sounds like it's misfiring on start up like theres water in the cylinder... Could this be down to the oil cooler or a faulty coil pack
It's also using alot of oil.... Oil cooler?
Thanks
Rob

[Crasher]

That could be head gasket.

[Studukes]

Right had the head gasket, cam belt, oil cooler, and heater matrix changed, got the car back and it's got a loud ticking noise, odometer not working, drinking fuel and it cuts out when hot but only if you are driving, it just dies when you use the clutch, had a mate look and it's got an air leak, he believes the ticking is to do with the exhaust and we found what looks like a coolant temperature sensor on the drivers side if the engine near the back under the air intake, but no wire attached and no loose wires any where in the engine.
Any help please as to where to go with it now?

Cheers stu

[Crasher]

Christ, who did the job? Take it back a complain!

[scotty33]

As above complain, sounds like the exhaust manifold or downpipe joint causing the ticking, the sensor may be the one for the after run function of the radiator fan, there should be a wire for it somewhere?
heavy on fuel and stalling may be a lambda sensor issue, may be worth checking the cable is a) connected and b) not damaged

[Studukes]

I paid a couple of mates to do the work, we been friends for years and I asked them as they built a vr6 corrado for themselves and it was mint, have since spoken to 2 other friends that have used them and it's the same, they have taken the money and done a terrible job, 1 guy got his car back with the old parts still fitted, they lost the new parts, and they other guy got 10 miles down the road after having a clutch fitted and now has no gears and the starter motor doesn't work. Needless to say they have lost a few mates and picked up such a bad reputation that no one we know will use them.
I took the car back and complained but they seem lost as to how to fix any of the problems, i also don't trust any work that they try and put right not to make things worse. When I can get some cash together I will try and get it to your place crasher as you have been very helpfull with all the problems iv had, just wish I had found you before I let the chuckle brothers loose on my car.

Stu

[Studukes]

Hi, I myself and 2 other mechanic mates spent half an hour looking for a cable and found nothing, one said the ticking is the exhaust so will be having a better look at it this weekend, will also have a look at the lambda sensor wire.

Cheers stu

[fourringsrus]

Get a couple of heavies together and go to see these cowboys.
Money back at the least and £100 to sort out any potential damages they may have caused

[Studukes]

I would love to but have been a friend of the family of one of the guys for 24 years. I am no longer mates with them but unfortunately I still have to work with them. If I can't sort the car out in the next couple of weeks I might sell it and get a cheap runabout as I don't have the money to fix the car at the moment, iv spent £800 trying to get the car back into excelent condition.

Stu

[Studukes]

Right decided to fit a new lambda sensor next week, hope this sorts out the cutting out and fuel usage problem, will be taking the car back next weekend to get the odometer and exhaust looked at.

Stu

[Crasher]

What a nightmare! I can't remember ever reading if anyone has done a fault code read on it and tried setting it up?

[Studukes]

Hi crasher, the 2 mates that have tried to fix the problems caused by the chuckle brothers have 3 different scanners but they don't have the pre obd2 connectors.

Stu

[Crasher]

I would certainly try and get it to someone with the 2x2 adapter and VCDS plus the knowledge (and specialist tools) to set up the ACE engines KE Motronic system. It may be that someone has moved the CO adjusting screw and this can be an absolute sketch to get back into position.

[Studukes]

will get the lambda sensor changed as its not expensive, crasher can you guys scan and setup the motronic system?

stu

[scotty33]

As above, a code read would be a good idea, if you can manage it, the 2x2(obd1) - obd2 adaptor is only a few quid on e bay? I believe the 16v is a pig to communicate with using vag com, setting the baud rate to 4800 should work, from what I've read.
The lambda sensor suggestion seems a likely culprit to me - they may have either unplugged the connector or strained the wires when the system was disconnected, rather than throw money at it, test the sensor:
http://www.lambdasensor.com/main/mtesting.htm

As crasher says, there are other reasons the car could be running rough

[Crasher]

I can do most set up procedures on the ACE, they only tools I lack are those for calibrating injector flow.

[Studukes]

if the lambda sensor doesnt fix the problems i will try and get to you asyou have been very helpful.

cheers stu

[Crasher]

I will do my best to help. If you do bring it to us, would it be possible to leave it for a few days so I can work on it during down time in between other jobs? It helps keep the costs down.

[Studukes]

scotty33 iv ordered the cable so as soon as it arrrives i will scan the car, hopefully it will shed some light on whats wrong.
crasher if i bring it to you, it will be fine to leave it for as long as you would need, my parents said they will lend me a car to get to work in, got to love parents even though im 39 they still look after me.

stu