[MikaelPlatt[2004TSBeetle]]

Hey guys need some advice! I was driving down the freeway in my 04’ Turbo S when I noticed my coolant temp light came on, once I pulled over, I discovered that my thermostat housing hose was ice cold. I let everything cool down and limped it back home only 15 minutes away. When I got home, I noticed oil in my coolant and white goo on the oil filler cap. The next morning when I removed the thermostat housing, tons of chocolate milkshake poured out of the block... I’m very frustrated, since I just replaced the head gasket and thermostat 5 weeks ago... Could the oil cooler have failed? I’m going to do a compression test on the cylinders tomorrow when I get off work. I’m looking for anybody who’s had similar issues with their 1.8T engines. I’d really appreciate the help! I’m honestly at a loss of words about this situation 😅 I need some help/inspiration! Thank you in advance 🤙

 

[Thejarhead]

Did you torque the head gasket correctly? I know it’s a multi step process.

I believe it’s 30flbs then 44flbs then 90 degrees then 90 degrees again. Starting in the center and alternately working toward the ends. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Did you forget the second 90 degree turn? The oem head bolts are single use TTY unless you used APR aftermarket bolts. Did you use new bolts?

Did you use an oem thermostat, aftermarket tends to be junk.

 

[MikaelPlatt[2004TSBeetle]]

Did you torque the head gasket correctly? I know it’s a multi step process.

I believe it’s 30flbs then 44flbs then 90 degrees then 90 degrees again. Starting in the center and alternately working toward the ends. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Did you forget the second 90 degree turn? The oem head bolts are single use TTY unless you used APR aftermarket bolts. Did you use new bolts?

Did you use an oem thermostat, aftermarket tends to be junk.

1. I didn’t forget the second torque Also, I used OEM head bolts.
2. I used an OEM thermostat
3. OEM head gasket
4. Cylinder head was rebuilt/resurfaced
Thanks for the help again thejarhead, I recall you helping me on an earlier thread 😎👌

 

[Thejarhead]

It might be worth pulling the thermostat and dropping it in some hot boiling water just to verify that it does open.

Oil coolers do fail. Usually they just leak externally but sometimes that leak is internal.

 

[MikaelPlatt[2004TSBeetle]]

It might be worth pulling the thermostat and dropping it in some hot boiling water just to verify that it does open.

Oil coolers do fail. Usually they just leak externally but sometimes that leak is internal.

Turns out it was my oiler cooler! I replaced it yesterday, and flushed the system of most of the oil. Everything runs great. I drove it 130 miles today. I tested the OEM thermostat by boiling it in water, opened right at 180F. I believe that the oil within the system clogged the thermostat, insulating it from the heated water, preventing it from opening. Still planning on flushing it after my two 8 hour shift tomorrow for Black Friday 🙃. Thanks for the help man! I’ll probably post once more within a few days for a final update.

 

[Thejarhead]

Glad it was relatively simple and you seem to have solved the problem. Good job.