please help

**dober174** · 08-25-2008 04:19 PM

When I start my 2004 a4 1.8T the engine shaking and doesn't idle at the right level of revs (ie idle at about 800 rather than 1000). also white smoke coming out exost. and engin loght on, and im losin coolant. sorry for bad english and thanx for help.

**diagnosticator** · 08-25-2008 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by dober174

When I start my 2004 a4 1.8T the engine shaking and doesn't idle at the right level of revs (ie idle at about 800 rather than 1000). also white smoke coming out exost. and engin loght on, and im losin coolant. sorry for bad english and thanx for help.

The head gasket has failed. Don't try and drive the car anymore until you can get the gasket replaced. The symptoms you described, missing, rough running, white smoke and loss of coolent, all confirm the head gasket failure, being common symptoms of a leaking head gasket.

**04QuattroTurbo** · 08-25-2008 05:27 PM

As always, Diagnosticator, hit on the nail, the sure fire way to know, would be to do a compression test. You will notice 1 or two of your cylinders have very little pressure while the others are ok. Did the car overheat? Not a cheap job, unless DIY.

**dober174** · 08-25-2008 06:19 PM

thanx. Its proboly head gascet, and yes its gonna be DIY my warranty is expired i have 14000 on the clock. How hard is to chenge gascet? comper to timing belt and water pump? and what do i need to do it?
Thanx

**04QuattroTurbo** · 08-25-2008 06:23 PM

Diagnosticator, probably has more detailed instructions, but basically, you need to take the head off, scrape off the old gasket and put on the new head gasket. Sounds simple, but it is way more involved than I put it.

**diagnosticator** · 08-25-2008 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by dober174

thanx. Its proboly head gascet, and yes its gonna be DIY my warranty is expired i have 14000 on the clock. How hard is to chenge gascet? comper to timing belt and water pump? and what do i need to do it?
Thanx

It's one of those "if you have to ask" situations. As such, at the minimum, have someone help you that knows what they are doing and has some experience with this kind of engine repair. The detailed help and instructions you need, is beyond the scope of the forum.