Q: Blown head gasket? 2000 VW Golf

asked by on January 28, 2017

Hi i have a vw golf mk4 1.6 and i noticed that when i rev my car i se lots of bubbles in the coolant reseivor. Im not loosing oil, or water and the car is not overheating either could it be a sign of blown gasket or just exhaust gasses? Thank you

My car has 131000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Car is not getting enough power Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello - yes, this bubbles in the coolant reservoir could indicate a blown headgasket. There is a specific test which determines if the bubble in the reservoir contain combustion gases. This would confirm a blown headgasket. Checking for low compression on 2 adjacent cylinders can also indicate a blown head gasket. I recommend a loss of power inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Engine dies when I take my foot off gas pedal.
Hello. If the engine runs fine when you are holding the accelerator pedal down and dies when you release it then you may have a couple of possible issues. I would first check the vacuum hoses going to the engine....
Honda Civic with screaming timing belt when cold and wet
You probably need a fan belt. Timing belt is inside the timing cover and it has cogs on it and it can't squeal because it's got cogs and it can't slip. If it groans, it means that the timing belt...
Engine rattling, shaking and loss of power
The VANOS unit or solenoid can cause a rattling sound from the engine. The VANOS is a camshaft timing system which runs off of engine oil pressure. If the oil is the wrong viscosity or the system has a buildup...
I went to start it and it turns over but just wont start
Your Jimmy most likely has a week fuel pump. A cold motor needs more fuel to run than a fully warmed motor. With this motor you can add fuel to get it started. I suggest starter fluid because it can...
No heat after adding coolant and thermostat almost to H
Hello. If the coolant was that low then that will cause the heater to not work. The most important thing at this time would be to determine where the coolant went. For it to be this low that means it...
Is it necessary to replace the rocker arm bolts? I tightened them to torque specs but it feels stripped out.
Hi there. If the bolt is stripped out and the treads to the bolt are in the head of the engine, then remove the bolt and look at it. Most likely the threads in the head are stripped out. You...
Knocking on the right rear wheel
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle will need to be inspected further at this point. The sound may be coming from the tire, the hub assembly, the brakes, or the suspension. With that being said, a trained eye...
Car will start and run smoothly but will die when you try to accelerate.
Hi there. There may be a misfire on a cylinder that is causing the engine to hesitate on acceleration. Check all of the spark plugs and wires and see if they have burn marks. If there is burn marks on...
What type and brand of oil should I use in my 2008Chevrolet suburban LTZ? Over 100k miles
The vehicle calls for synthetic oil that provides better protection and should be on your oil cap indicating the proper weights and the brand should not matter as long as it meets GM standards on the oil cap or in...

Related articles

2012 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2012 Subaru Forester: Which One Should I Buy?
Mid-size sedans are the realm of small families or commuters who want a slightly larger vehicle than a subcompact or compact car, yet don’t want to fully give up their good gas mileage. The sedan offers more comfort and space...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Need to Haul a Motocross Bike
Of Of course you would love to be able to ride your motocross bike everywhere, but the reality is, at some point you're going to need to transport it. A cargo van of almost any make or model would be...
Understanding the Volkswagen Oil Monitoring System and Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Volkswagen oil monitoring system indicates when and what service your car needs.