Earwig 89 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 My headgasket has possibly gone or is on it's way out. Anything worth doing while that's being done ? If I have it done.....Mark. Link to post Share on other sites
lee060 3 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 chains? 6 branch(easy access with head off )? hi-lift cams? Link to post Share on other sites
dstyrrell 0 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 if you are gonna start spending that sort of cash i would just get yourself a exchange engine mate. Link to post Share on other sites
lee060 3 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 if you are gonna start spending that sort of cash i would just get yourself a exchange engine mate.??? why if he knows the history and conditon of this one . less hassel just to get the gasket done Link to post Share on other sites
jims13 6 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 yeah chains, 6 branch, superchaaaaaaaaarger!!! Link to post Share on other sites
dstyrrell 0 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 if you are gonna start spending that sort of cash i would just get yourself a exchange engine mate.??? why if he knows the history and conditon of this one . less hassel just to get the gasket done I would disagree mate, exchange engine doesn't have a history as its completly reconditioned also has 12 months warranty, to do the head gasket and chains ect.. is gonna be around the same cost(unless you do it yourself) whether you know the history of an engine or not isn't gonna make any difference, if an engine has done 100k its got a 100k's wear simple as that. I think i was quoted 1300 quid for an exchange engine, one of the guys on here just paid 750 quid for chains and clutch then head gasket on top of that is gonna sting, personally id get an exchange engine, and have peice of mind that the whole thing is sorted and not gonna endup having to strip it again 6 months later when something else goes, more expense.Just my opinion though, good luck with whatever you do.Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Guest greendragonvr6 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 hi mate might have the same problem!!!!, not sure?what are your symptoms?mine was sudden loss of power, exhaust sounds like its blowing, sounds like its not firing on all cylinders, white residue on oil cap.sound familiar? Link to post Share on other sites
Earwig 89 Posted February 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 hi mate might have the same problem!!!!' date=' not sure?what are your symptoms?mine was sudden loss of power, exhaust sounds like its blowing, sounds like its not firing on all cylinders, white residue on oil cap.sound familiar? [/quote']Well sounds like you are alot worse than me.I have none of those symptoms atall.I am losing alot of water but I know where I am losing most of it from and I have the parts to cure that.My only suspicion is when I remove the expansion tank cover there is a oily/petrol smell from it where there never used to be.Wether or not my head gasket is actually gone I am unsure.Are there any sure fire ways of testing ?As I said I have no white scum or anything.....Mark. Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Well here's my 2p worth.Chains/guides/cluch & top end for me (tappets)! - sleves and rings are a thought!I have had the odd head and exchange in my day....It comes down to confidence in the process. If you have confidence in the exchange engine then this is a much quicker fix. Recon engines come with warranties and are good for 50k without blinking. Head work; well - you then get the option to change/upgrade parts yourself. Build it well and it's good for miles aswell.It is important to understand EXACTLY what work has been done. Skims where & How. Also how much by. Any other top end/chains/bottom end work etc etc performed. What componants are new and what are reworked!Go with the people you know and trust or guys that have been recommended on here! The VR6 lump is not quite the same as something like rework on a good old A series lump!So both options work...One final thing - I know some people will not agree totally. But, run it in correctly - change the oils etc and both options will give you trouble free milage afterwardsI hope this helps Link to post Share on other sites
jims13 6 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 mark have you had a sniff test done, its a very good way to tell.are you shure you're not losing the water throught the heater matrix?? Link to post Share on other sites
vr6newcomer 1 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 hi matey, ive just had my head port polished and matched, gas flowed and same with the inlet and throttle body, as well as new valves, stems, followers, chains, clutch and related tensioners and stuff, its not cheap, but the gains seem worthwhile! Link to post Share on other sites
Earwig 89 Posted February 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 mark have you had a sniff test done' date=' its a very good way to tell.are you shure you're not losing the water throught the heater matrix??[/quote']Never heard of a sniff test...... ? :-)I know for sure I am losing water through my heater matrix, Expansion tank and also my Aux water pump.I have the Expansion tank at work and also the Aux pump. Will be fitting them tomorrow as it's only a 15 minute job...The matrix is getting done while it's haveing the coilies,bushes and chrome bits fitted. That will then rule those bits out. which will leave only the head gasket as the main pump was done only a couple of years ago.Mark. Link to post Share on other sites
jims13 6 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 i reckon you may be surprised to see how much you are losing through them aforementioned parts. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest greendragonvr6 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 well i have good news and bad news !!!!went to see a man who knows a thing or two about engines and through a process of illimination its not the head gasket ( relief )this might help you,are you losing water?is the header tank clean, ie no oil residueis the car overheating? normally my temp gauge sits half way.is the heating working if so any strange smells ie, oily.check dipstick, any white residue?finally do a compression test on each bore, readings should be roughly the same.the bad news, still not sure what the problem is, may be eletricalor even the exhaust ie the cat causing back pressure Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Rich 3 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Well Ive found out ive been losing coolant through 4 points, main water pump, aux pump, thermostat housing and top rad y pipe! All this on top of getting my chains/tensioners/clutch/tappets done! Its going to be expensive :-( Link to post Share on other sites
Guest greendragonvr6 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 oooooch Link to post Share on other sites
Earwig 89 Posted February 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Changed my Aux water pump today and also my expansion tank.Into the garage tomorrow for the Heater matrix to be done. Hopefully that will cure my water loss problem :-)I have no overheating problems and the car runs fine, so maybe I am thinking the worst with regards to the headgasket. Perhaps it's fine. Well the garage has the car for a few days so I am sure they will know when they get into it :-)Mark. Link to post Share on other sites
jezmoz 0 Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 you can buy a crappy kit from halfords that checks the headgasket, changes colour if the gasket is gone. Link to post Share on other sites
petervr6 0 Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 dam my aux water pumps leaking as well maybe we should do a group buy or somthing. Link to post Share on other sites
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