Head skimming??

[ashmk3 0]

Right just recently I have replaced the head gasket on the vr6 after I did it the car felt amazing and still does, however I now have an oil leak which looks like it is coming from around cylinder 6. Now I'm thinking worst case senerio is head is warped ever so slightly. But untill I get a good chance to look I am just thinking where could I go to get the head skimmed and how much am I looking at spending and will I need to take the valves etc out? As close to Loughborough as possible please but don't mind posting it somewhere.

[legvw 0]

Mine has a slight leak from there too, i think its fairly normal as the oil transfers from the block to the head there.

[ashmk3 0]

Yh but it like drips quite bad when parked up that's all enough to

cover about an inch square

[legvw 0]

Oh, did you torque the head bolts down correctly? In the correct order? Did you not have the head skimmed when you did the gasket?

[ashmk3 0]

Yh I tightened them all up in the correct order to the correct torque. The only reason I didn't get the head skimmed is because the car isn't overheat I changed it due to spark plug being the same colour ad the coolant and oil in the coolant.

[legvw 0]

Imo you should always have the head skimmed if its removed from the block.

[ashmk3 0]

Yeh I realise that now learn from my mistakes I found somewhere close to me that does it. How should remove lumps and imperfections from the block? 60-80 grit paper with a flat block of wood? Also what's the ideal thickness spacer plate for F/I ??

[ashmk3 0]

When I remove the head to get it skimmed, how to I remove the cams?and can I take it to get skimmed with the valves in? Will the tappets not fall out or anything?

[legvw 0]

Most places will want the head striped- cams off, tappets out, and valves and springs off.

The cams come off by undoing the 2 m8 nuts on each cap, think theres 6/7.

The tappets just pull out, but number them so they go back correctly.

And the valves will need a spring compressor tool, and same as above, pair and number the valves and tappets up.

When you rebuild the head, you will need to lap the valves back into each valve seat. And use new valve stem oil seals.

When the tappets/cams go back in, use plenty of oil in oil ways and metal to metal surfaces.

[ashmk3 0]

So may sound silly but how much am I looking at for the stem

seals and how do I lap the valves back in? Will the place I take it to skim the head more than likely be able to do that?

[legvw 0]

The stem seals should come with the head gasket kit.

And yes if you ask them they should be able to do it all, at a price though, would be cheaper to do it your self.

[ashmk3 0]

Yes I have just been flicking through some old books my dad had. I think to put my mind at ease I'm going to get the head skimmed. Don't really wanna be driving to Devon and it go bang. Thanks for your help mate.

[john.vrt.co.uk 0]

You will need to get the valve seats re cut depending on level of 'skim'. This needs to be done as the vr head is perfectly flat with no combustion chamber which gives the tolerance for skimming

will prevent problems in the long run, i.e burnt valves due to poor seating

[ashmk3 0]

I don't think it's warped a great deal as it didn't over heat and there weren't any Mayo in filler cap or any oil in water etc I replaced it because I found my spark plugs were the same colour as the coolant and when I took the head off the gasket just crumpled. I looked through all the history with the engine and there were no signs of it being done before and it's on just over 105k. I should be able to take it work and check flatness.

[hvr6 88]

your looking at about £600-700 for what you're wanting to do

[ashmk3 0]

600 quid Christ I have been quoted min£25 depending on the level of the skim.

[hvr6 88]

are you taking it all to bits and doing the seals yourself?

[cabrioman 6]

your looking at about £600-700 for what you're wanting to do

think thats prob for the whole job mate .... not just a skim

[yakuza racer 16]

what is the most you can skim a head, i mean by skimming the head a marginal amount you also up the compression of the motor...

so from a stock head, what is the most one can take off and not do any harm?

[ashmk3 0]

I'm going to take every thing out and give them the bare head to skim then I'll put new seals in and rebuild it.

[hvr6 88]

will be much cheaper then sorry I misunderstood didnt read all the posts sorry m8 best of luck with it :-)

[ashmk3 0]

Cheers for your input it does give ter people a bit of an insight into how much work is actually involved in engine rebuilds etc. I'm a miller/ turner by trade so I know how much time would be involved into having to skim the head recut and grind the valve seats etc. Once again thanks.

[yakuza racer 16]

no one have any answers for me?????

[Nero Mk 2 8]

Cheers for your input it does give ter people a bit of an insight into how much work is actually involved in engine rebuilds etc. I'm a miller/ turner by trade so I know how much time would be involved into having to skim the head recut and grind the valve seats etc. Once again thanks.

As a miller/turner you wouldn't have access to a Adjustable Trepanning Cutter would you? need to adjust the centre bore of some wheels but as you'll know, cant get a 57.1 mill bit!!!

[ashmk3 0]

Unfortunatly pal only the bosses stuff for the ascari race car get made. I'm technically in the aerospace engineering industry and make parts for planes. I wish I could do stuff for my car an other peoples cars I really do mate. I had actually thought o buying a milling machine and a lathe because the amount of stuff I get asked to do is unbelibable but I'm sorry I can't help:(