Running on 3 and overheating

1. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #1 26th June 2008, 12:30

   Hey. My car seems to enjoy upsetting me. Its runs fine for most of the time. And occasionally it start miss firing. As if its running on 3 cylinders. As soon as that happens blue smoke comes out of the exhaust and the temperature goes right up into the red and the engine vibrates real bad. Any idea's? Thanks in advance
2. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #2 26th June 2008, 12:37

   When was it last serviced?
3. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #3 26th June 2008, 12:41

   Well a while ago if im honest. But its got an aftermarket air filter bought a few months ago and it had new oll and oil filter with the air filter. As for plugs i haven't done those yet. Could plugs do that you think?
4. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #4 26th June 2008, 12:46

   It wouldn't hurt to replace the plugs!
   
   Does it use much water?
   
   Any mayo under the oil cap?
5. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #5 26th June 2008, 12:58

   I've just ordered some plugs so like you say it couldn't hurt it. As for head gasket its brand new. Had the head skimmed and new head set on it so know top end is ok. Just the smoke is confusing me. And as it runs on 3 cylinders it vibrates like the engine isn't balanced. :-S
6. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #6 26th June 2008, 13:00

   Could also be a blocked injector or faulty coilpack causing it to run on three!
7. John_rdy Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 161

   #7 26th June 2008, 13:05

   I was hoping no one would mention the word coil pack. Just sold my spare one dead cheap to help someone out on here. Doooh! Is there any way to test them or the injectors?
8. danridesbikes Newbie Joined: May 2007 Scunthorpe Posts: 27 106 GTi

   #8 26th June 2008, 17:59

   sounds like headgasket with the mention of blue smoke
9. user_4153 Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2004 Cambs Posts: 630 Vts track car

   #9 26th June 2008, 18:23

   Could be piston rings, or possibly valve stem seals.
   
   Cylinder leakage test should tell you, failing that a diagnostic check if its electrical.
10. pug205gti87 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2007 Birmingham, West Midlands Posts: 704 Saxo Vts

    #10 26th June 2008, 18:24

    headgaskettt!!
11. Ruffgeezer Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2005 Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (England) Posts: 245

    #11 28th June 2008, 12:18

    Yeah, sounds like the headgasket is going between the cylinder and the oil gallery hence blue smoke and dropping a cylinder.