does hydrocarbin test show leaky head gasket???

[LTNGBUG]

How does the hydrocarbon test tell I have a leaky or warped head gasket?

I have a 2002 New Beetle 2.0L, Auto with 70,000 miles. I had a mechanic tell me he performed a hydrocarbon test and found 172 PPM of hydrocarbons and recommended replacing head gasket. He did not perform a leak down test or a compression test. I have no other symptoms for leaky head gasket, i.e., white smoke, oil in coolant, losing coolant. I just had them put in a new water pump and they said timing belt was good.

LTNGBUG went to the mechanic because she was running hot after I put in new temperature sensor and thermostat. I had been having issues with the coolant system for the last 18 months. The temperature sensor has been changed every 6 months and LTNGBUG seemed to be happy. She had been taking too long to warm up in May (blue light off) a few weeks before the day she started flashing red. So I put a new thermostat and temperature sensor in before taking it to the mechanic.

[DZLBUG]

Unless you are exhibiting other symptoms of a bad head gasket, I would leave well enough alone for now. Your car also has an oil cooler and transmission cooler, either of which could "technically" allow some hydrocarbons to get into the coolant. I don't know if that number is particularly high or not. Keep an eye on your oil and coolant for now.

They should have replaced the tensioner and timing belt since they were in there doing the water pump. Your TB should be changed every 4 years or 60k miles. I bet they reused the motor mount stretch bolts and probably hammered them in with an impact. Don't be surprised if your engine hits the ground someday.

And just an FYI, flashing red coolant light means the coolant is low, or your coolant level sensor is bad.

[D2Beetle]

Well it is possible that you could have a bad head gasket or the initial stages of one. I did, read this thread post...

My problem with the over heating started in November and got progressively worse. Perform a leak down test, that will let you know for a certainty if the head gasket is faulty.