Bought new 95 TSi - not running - need help Please !!

[Nextlevelperf]

Ok I have read the archives since early this morning, and have a few things to go on, but most of what I found is for 1g's. Here is the story ~
I just bought a 95 TSi AWD for $1500 not running. When I looked at it, there was no battery in it so I couldnt try anything, but it was such a good deal I didnt pass it up. I was told he was driving it and it it died on him while driving, and gave some smoke (cant remember if he said white or black). He hasnt dont any troubleshooting on the car, his wife made him just sell it. The engine bay is pretty clean, a little oil here and there, probably from spillage, and he says he changed the t-belt 45K miles ago. I checked the belt and it looks good, and is not really loose. (just removed the top cover). I bought a new battery, an optima, and put it in, and it wont crank now. It seems like the battery is dead, but did try to crank once. This might be corroded wires, I will check into that, but the windows do go up and down, etc. Now I know I need to check for spark, I will pull the plugs and ground them for that, and I will check the injectors for firing along with looking for gas on the plugs. However 1. I need it to be cranking to do all that, and 2. I have never had a 2gT before. Just 1gT's. I know the CAS is different, but how do I check that on a 2g ? What, after checking for fuel + spark should I check next ?
I would have checked all these allready but its raining out now, and im trying to still be productive with the car so im online

BTW - the guy I got it from thought the motor was blown ! (I think its alot simpler)

Please gurus give me your $.02 on this 2G !

Marty

 

[TurkF26]

couple questions:

1. When you turn the key to the one position, do all the indicator lights come on on the dash?? If they dont, id check ECU, all wire connections, and like you said the battery terminals.

2. When you say it wont crank, what happens when you try to start it by turning the key?? Do you hear any relays clicking or does nothing happen at all???

3. The previous owner, did it seem like he knew a lot about the car or not?? How many miles are there on the 7 bolt motor??

From what you are saying, that he was just driving and it died, it could be a handfull of different things. I would just start with the basic stuff like electrical connections, etc... If there is no cranking of the starter id check the connections to the starter and if they look good just pull the starter out to make sure its good.

Let us know what you find...

 

[Nextlevelperf]

I just called him up and he said it was white smoke when it died. He has done some upgrades like a greddy front mount, but nothing engine wise. He is more concerned with his project jeep. I did just go check all fluids and the oil looks good, but the cooling is empty at the neck, and the resivoior is dark..... it might have oil in it
Sounding like a blown head gasket now. I think the cranking issue is just corroded wires. I didnt clean them first since it was raining out. I do get all dash lights and power options work though. The relay for the car does engage the starter cause it tried to turn over once. Didnt sound right but stopped turning and the lights and all went out, thats why I think its in the battery cables/terminals. when you buy a battery its supposed to be charged right ?

I've got about $1100ish that I can spend on the car since I bought it so cheap, if its the head gasket, what all should I upgrade ? I know I can get another motor thats been rebuilt with 18k miles for $600, but I want performance, not stock. This is a second car, so it can sit as long as it needs to in order for me to put quality parts in it. Would it be wise of me to build up a 2g head, or go with a 1G ? If I have to remove a part I might as well upgrade it eh ?

Marty

 

[TurkF26]

Ok. Id say pull the head regardless and redo everything. I personally would get a 1g head, Mitsu MLS headgasket, arp head studs, 93-94 1g CAS. It will be some work for you to convert the 95-96 style wiring and such for the 1g head but it is well worth it. I would also redo all timing components, etc... I am in the same position you are in. My 2g is my project car so it can sit as long as needed until I get everything i want for it. If you have the time and money, id get the 1g head totally rebuilt, oversized valves, retainers, springs, some great cams, big lifters, etc... do everything right the first time.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/1g2gheadswaptechtip.htm

great walkthrough and info on putting a 1g head in a 2g.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/1gcasin2g.htm

id also use that to decide which CAS you want (i personally like the 93-94 ones)

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/1gcasin2g95-96.htm

easiest wiring diagram to follow for wiring the CAS in there

 

[Nextlevelperf]

Update - Ok I was able to get the car to crank over, after it just sat for awhile (odd?) but it wont start. Every once and awhile it acts like it wants to catch but it doesnt, and its not too frequent. The timing belt seems within tolerance as far as tightness, and what I thought was oil in the water resivoir was just some ugly looking antifreeze - an orange color, mixed with some dirty crap in the bottom. The head gasket might still be blown, but I dont think so. Of course there is still the issue with a lack of water in the water neck. I know the gas gauge is on E, but since I just bought the car I dont know if it works. I am going to try to put some gas in it tomorrow. Wouldnt it be funny if the guy sold me the car not running because he ran it empty !
Still to check is compression, and to see if I get spark, and fuel pressure/injector spray.
I read on here that the coolant temp sensor can cause the car not to start on a 1G, is this true for a 2G as well ? Anything else I should check ? Just trying to think of why it sometimes wants to catch and run, but others it doesnt.

Marty

 

[TurkF26]

Clean the resevior out and fill everything with some antifreeze and distilled water. check to make sure you have gas in it and let us know what happens.


btw, how many miles are on the motor?

 

[femmeDSM]

Still to check is compression, and to see if I get spark, and fuel pressure/injector spray.
I read on here that the coolant temp sensor can cause the car not to start on a 1G, is this true for a 2G as well ? Anything else I should check ? Just trying to think of why it sometimes wants to catch and run, but others it doesnt.

Marty

Yeah, the ECT can go on a 2g as well. I believe they are even in the same location (lower thermostat housing area). The only difference between your ECT and a 1g ECT is that yours has a single-prong male terminal, and us 1gs have the two-prong ones.

Like I say to everyone else who is battling a no-start car: Definitely put fresh gas in it (if it's truly on empty, you somewhat lucked out. Otherwise you would have had to drain and clean the tank). I would recommend putting some Fuel Stabilizer like Seafoam in your gas tank as well, when you fill her up.

Check the wiring around the Coolant Temp Sensor before you pull the sensor. They sometimes get loose or cracked, and can break or fall off.

Drain the cooling system and see if there is actually any coolant in it at all.

Honestly, what it seems like to me is the previous owner was driving along, the car overheated due to insufficient coolant (due to leak, bad radiator cap, whatever), saw the white smoke, and thought the "motor blew". Most cars will shut off once they start overheating, for several reasons. i think this guy was just a tool.

I think you got a pretty good deal, overall. Good luck