Dear forum, I have a problem and need technical and moral support. This is the continuation of: Problem with the starter in the V8 and white smoke the second – V8 with now perhaps better fitting title… My Phaeton V8 year 2005 with 250tKm was about 4 weeks ago with Zottel, has received many new wear parts (brakes, crossbars, xenon burners, oil etc. ) a few codings and fresh TÜV. With plenty of 3t€ less I am the 500km again happy courage home g The sporadic problems of a non-rotating starter and the loss of cooling water could not understand Zottel. However, he did not suspect a defective cylinder head gasket and at some point the working day is also over. Understandable. However, the problems when starting were increasing. My free “house workshop” (that much I had not yet to do at the Phaeton in the two years) now diagnosed a defective starter. Costs approx. 1300 Euro plus material. For some time, however, I had suspected the cylinder head seal and now researched it: Cooling water loss: Abundant (10l in 6 months) tendency rising, without being visible from the outside. Check. When cooling water enters the combustion chamber, the exhaust mists especially in the cold season: It has sometimes fogged properly in winter. Check. When starting, there may be misignitions in the relevant cylinder: VCDS reports (not always!) when starting up up to 100 misignitions In the cylinder 1st check. I can handle tools and today dismantled the ignition module and spark plug from the cylinder 1 and found a “cooled water paddling pool”! Water up to the spark plug! Can I safely assume that I have a defective ZKD? (If important: A year ago the valve cover seal was renewed due to oil loss.) Did I damage the engine very much that I have driven some tKm with the damage? What for repair costs do I have to reckon with? I do this at the year of construction, considering that the rest of the vehicle is usable but also not necessarily in top condition? Greetings Benjamin