ESTELLEMARIE 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Hi. got a 98 vr6 130,000 on clock. started spluttering when raining/damp so went to put new ht leads on - bonnet cable snapped!!!!! took to the garage and they (somehow) got into it and put new leads on and ordered me a new bonnet release cable.Car 50% better with new leads but not 100% so ordered new spark plugs. Took car for new bonnet cable bu they didn't get round to doing plugs.Drove car from garage about 1 mile up the road when temp soared up to 100+. stopped straight away and called them out. The garage had car 2 hours and when I rang they said it was the head gasket because they had done some kind of test and the water went yellow???/Told me they would not consider doing the repair and would cost me a £1000 elsewhere and told me to scrap car.LOVE my cr and now peed off.Don't believe it to be the head gasket - or maybe I don't want to believe it????Nothing wrong with oil. water in header clear. No smoke from exhaust. never had trouble with this car - ever!!! (apart rfom abs light!!)When car hot the water in header tank bubbles like a boiling kettle. The top hose goes hard and very hot. Bottom hose cold and radiator cold.Thought I saw a leak from header tank, but cannot say if wasn't where I refilled!!Drove it to safe place today and was raining bad - car spluttering and making a popping noise.Guy who had a look at it just said if I got it fixed it would cost me mega bucks and said he would buy it off me for £300.This car has NEVER failed an mot. Never broke down on me and when running is a dream.Any help would be great but if you all think its the head gasket any idea of value of car as it is. thanks x Link to post Share on other sites
McPikie 3 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 oil and water dont have to mix to be headgasket issuesthe fact that the coolant is pressurising does sound like an issueHowever............... water pump could have gone, so I'd suggest whipping it off to check all the impellor blades are on before doing anything more Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 could also be the thermostat stuck open or closed.I think the guy at the garage is trying to have you over really Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Nat 9 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yeah i agree with Craggsy, could be something simple like thermostat, and if i was you i would go to a different garage cuz he sounds like a bell end. Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 over a grand for head gasket? trying to have you over on that. shouldnt cost more than a few hundred quid for the work really... from what you are saying, its pointing to thermostat problems. Link to post Share on other sites
McPikie 3 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Whereabouts in wales are you??One of our esteemed members maye be able to lend a hand Link to post Share on other sites
ESTELLEMARIE 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 i am in south wales in the valleys lol. 6 miles from caerphilly. Yep I agree this guy is trying to rip me off and I am praying its just the thermostat as I love this car. My husband tried to put new thermostat on himself but his hands are huge lol and its such a small space to work in!!! Now don't trust any garage and I used to work in one!!! Shame thats 200 miles away as I would have got one of the mechanics there to help me as I know I could trust them!! thanks for everyones help and comments Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 It would be easier to take of the front bumper / radiator to get to the thermostat - you may find that the housing doesnt go back on properly, or seals need replacing if it leaks after.Pete Link to post Share on other sites
Bigjobbo 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 New thermostat, housing and seals. Sounds like the thermostat is stuck shut. Start with that and see if you have any running issues afterwards. You can't condemn a head gasket because of an overheating issue. If they have tested for oil and water, your oil cooler may be at fault, not necessarily the head gasket. Don't keep cooking the engine and cooling it as it can warp the head, and remember, even if it was the gasket, it's a VR and well worth repairing. Link to post Share on other sites
djmorgz 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 sounds like he just wants ur car.....hes trying to scare u into thinking its worth scrapping he will give u 300 do the thermostat and have a nice vr. i would defo take it to another garage or do it yourself...gd luck Link to post Share on other sites
djmorgz 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 and with this sort of person i bet ur bonnet cable didnt snap but probably came out of the plastic case thing in the engine bay and then charged u for a new one Link to post Share on other sites
ESTELLEMARIE 0 Posted July 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 sorry for late reply...just to let you know it was the thermostat...thanks Link to post Share on other sites
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