GTI Overheating & Smoking

[get_real]

Took out my 97 GTI this week and had a few issues. Haven’t taken it out for 3-4 years. First issue was the incoming water line to the head came off and the ski overheated. Ran it for 5 minutes until I noticed a power loss and drove it back to shore. It got so hot it melted both of the small hoses coming off the exhaust manifold. It also cracked the paint on the pipe. Also the ski was full of water:

Got it home and replaced the two small black hoses with clear vinyl tubing and reconnected the water inlet hose to the rear of the ski. I must of left a hose clamp lose several years ago when winterizing it. Hooked up a garden hose and started it up and water was pouring out of the boot between the bottom pipe and muffler. Thought the 4” boot was bad then realized it just slipped out of position. Put the boot back on correctly, started it up and no more water leak.

I think I avoided serious injury, but now am worried about the smoke. My better half noticed it was really smoking during my eventful 5 min run. I noticed even on shore it smokes quite a bit. Compression is 130 front and 135 rear cylinder. Will a top end job solve the smoking problem and about how much do the parts cost for that repair if I do the work? Do I have to pull the engine?

 

[mikidymac]

No top end is fine. It’s a 2-stroke so it’s going to smoke. Check the adjustment marks on the oil pump for alignment.

If it smokes a whole lot after sitting a day or two then your inner crank seals are bad and you need a new crank.