Has the the head gasket gone my Polo?

Has my 2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI blown a head gasket? There is water build up in the tray at the front driver's/coolant tank side of engine. The car doesn't overheat, nor is there any milky oil or excessive smoke from the exhaust.

There were bubbles coming from coolant/overflow area after a shortish run and coolant levels dropped. My local mechanic thinks head gasket gone? Anything I should check?

Asked on 26 March 2015 by jonstacey

Answered by Honest John
Keep checking the header tank. If the coolant is blowing out of the pressure cap at the top then you may only have an airlock in the cooling system that you might be able to purge by running the engine to temperature with the cap off and the heater set to max heat. If this doesn't work, it could be that the thermostat has stuck shut. If it isn't that and there are no other leaks, then could be head gasket.
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