1G Engine and Electrical Questions

[jonseclipsegs]

Okay, I have been out of the game for awhile but recently picked up a non-running 90 TSi AWD. I put a little work into it hooking back up vac lines, air box, coolant hoses, etc. to get it running again. Here are the problems I am having since getting it running:

1. Runs rough and produces both black and white smoke out the exhaust. I have replaced the plugs and wires thus far and will do a compression test soon to see if the head gasket is causing the white smoke from burning coolant. As far as the black smoke, it's mostly dark gray at idle but under load it's definitely black. I'm obviously burning oil somewhere, possibly pvc valve, valve stems, rings, etc. or could it be related to the car not being run in months?

2. There is a mysterious coolant leak from the back side of the engine below the intake. I can't seem to find any coolant lines leading around this area that could be causing this (it is not coming from the coolant line going into the firewall and is farther below under the intake, further than I can really tell from above or below). I am predicting that this might be coming from a faulty head gasket, also contributing to problem #1. I hope the block is not cracked and coolant is leaking from there, but will see what results I can gather from a compression check. What are your opinions?

3. Since putting the car back together I can't seem to get the tach, fuel gauge, or stock boost gauge to work. However, the speedo, temp gauge, and oil pressure gauge work. There is obviously a connection issue somewhere but where? I have followed the CAS wiring back the wiring harness and everything seems normal. Should I yank the gauge cluster and go from there? In addition, the flip-up headlights seem to have a mind of their own and will sparatically rise and shut on there own especially when re-connecting the battery. I assume this is a result of a bad connection somewhere as well.


I appreciate any help or advice you can give and the time you spent reading me rant . Thanks in advance!

Jon

 

[boostnhard]

1.white smoke could be coming from the turbo burning coolant, black smoke under load deffinatelly a boost leak, do a test see where its coming from.

2. I was going to say heater hoses but you said its not that.

3.If i was you I would install aftermarket units

 

[luv2rallye]

Ground the yellow wire (sender) going into the fuel tank with key on. Fuel gauge should read full.

 

[jonseclipsegs]

I'll double check the turbo coolant feeds, do a boost leak test, check the fp ground, and check the compression. I'll post back soon as I get a chance to work on the car, hopefully in the next few days. Anyone have any ideas other than the head leaking antifreeze out the back of the motor?

 

[jonseclipsegs]

Compression is 160 across the board, on a cold motor though...I found the coolant leak to be a bad clamp on the lower t coolant line coming from the thermostat housing. I still have the crazy flipping headlights, no tach or fuel gauge, and it still burns white smoke and smells of coolant. Where on the turbo would coolant be able to leak and cause this? Thanks!

 

[jonseclipsegs]

Update: I fixed the headlight issue, there was a loose connection at the switch but now it does not stay stuck in to keep the headlights up. The car now gets no fuel but does get spark. There is power to the fuel injectors but when I crank over the engine with no spark plug in the head only air shoots out. What/how should I check to see why fuel is not getting to the injectors? Also, I have not been able to narrow down the burning of coolant.

 

[Shaggy_357]

For the fuel thing, I'm assuming you're getting power to the pump, so you might try checking the fuel filter. I know it's kind of far fetched for it to go "out all of a sudden", but that's what happened to me with my old GS
Good luck



Eric

 

[jonseclipsegs]

I went back and checked all the fuel pump connections and butt spliced a few that looked iffy. Now the car fires up but still emits white smoke. My compression was good so where exactly can I be burning coolant? Turbo, if so where exactly? Are there any ways to test the coil pack and power transistor to see if they are the reason for my hesitation and bad idle?

 

[BUCK]

Fuel Filter was a GOOD idea - Also for the hesitation I'd check your Static Timing marks, it's possible you could be one tooth off - If not then reset base Timing & Base idle per the VFAQ - Good luck

 

[jonseclipsegs]

I will pick up a new fuel filter and hopefully install it Tuesday.

 

[jonseclipsegs]

Update: I replaced the fuel filter last night. No difference at all. I also checked all the fuel injectors by unplugging them while the car was running to see if any didn't make a difference and they are all functioning properly. I guess I will try to get a power transistor and swap that in.