GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: GemGTI on 15 June 2006, 20:51
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Heard some good news about engine today. He's still looking into the problem but so far its good news. He's done some tests and engine has good compression. Head gasket is being sent away for skimming (whatever that means?? :huh:) but he can't find the source of problem without taking engine apart. He doesn't think it will need a re build which is good news. My question is... is it worth getting a full re build anyway seeing as he's taking the engine apart?? I had got it in my head that I was going to be having that done anyway so had already prepared myself for the amount it will cost. What do you guys think? Re build the engine? Or not? Is it worth the extra money? Opinions greatly appreciated as I don't know enough! :embarassed:
Cheers guys! :wink:
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Hmm....if he is taking the engine totally apart to find the problem, you may aswell get a rebuild (assuming that you have put aside the money required) so that all the worn parts are replaced and your engine runs like fresh :)
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Yeah thats what I thought. I can get the money together, just want to know if it'll be worth it. Will it be more reliable etc? Sorry I probably sound thick but I'm clueless when it comes down to these sorts of things! :embarassed:
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if you got the money then it would be good, at least that way you have a good solid base to work from. and as its getting pulled apart then it makes sense to replace/repair/upgrade wat u can whilst u got the opportunity. or at a later date u will wanna rebuild it and will have to pay to have it stripped down again which is economically sound lol
let us know how u get on!
nice sig by the way!
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your head has been sent away for skimming. they take a thousanth of a mil off it to make it flat again. the old head gasket will been inspected for defects, but ultimately will end up in the bin.
While the engine is in peices it's worthwhile to replace the oil pump, piston rings and big end shells so make sure everything is hunky dorey.
the engine will require running in gentlely until it loosens up a bit after a few miles. Generally 1000 miles is a good run in period, but the longer you can resist using the higher revs the better :)
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So you think re build?
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it would be foolish not to really...
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Ok, thanks by the way what are piston rings and big end shells? :huh:
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What was wrong with in the first place?
Tom
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Ok, thanks by the way what are piston rings and big end shells? :huh:
piston rings are rings that go arond the top of the piston to stop oil from coming up and petrol from going down, hence if a car is burning oil its usually the piston rings that are shot.
I know what big end shells are but cant explain it, click on this link:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=big+end+shells
oh and I agree, get it rebuilt whilst you have it out!
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Be sure to find out exactly what was wrong in the first place, before committing to a rebuild! is the block warped or cracked, is the cylinder head warped or cracked, does the crank have any life left in it! if there are any issues with these components, and you decide to rebuild, you could be potentially throwing away a great deal of money for nothing, and have to start all over again!
I would consider finding an engine from another car, that your engine guy could hear running, for peace of mind, change the clutch and away you go! and steer away from reconditioned engines, they tend to last just a little longer than the warranty!
Tom
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Rebuild.
Couldn't be assed to read the thread all the way through.
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thom89 - why change the clutch?
thanks for your advice have written down everything you said about block, cylinder head etc and will ask him about this.
:smiley:
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cos if u have to take the gearbox off (which you will) it makes sense to put a new clutch in unless the old one isnt worn.
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If the compression test was fine then there should have been no reason to split the engine!!!!!
Sounds as if you been misled.
So now I would be very wary about letting this guy rebuild your engine!
Tell us what the original problem was!!!!!
If it was overheating and the comp test was ok then it could be a split in the block which means that its not worth rebuilding!!!!!
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Please see...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=41954.0
This should explain what the problem was.
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Gemma, please be very carefull.. a properly done rebuild costs £Â£Ã‚£s, and unless you go through the whole engine with a fine toothed combe its really not worth doing  Im sorry , but you have to question the wisdom of this man, the only guanantee you have is that if anything goes wrong, this guy will fix it free of charge!!! and he's got to buy any new parts that may get damaged.. I would steer well clear, it's not worth the hassle, the money, the time and the greif.
Find yourself a second hand engine, from a reputable salvage specialist, i'm sure that there are enough people here to help you out in that department, get it, put in, and enjoy your car!, it will only cost you money!
Tom
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Needless to say i completely disagree with all of the above but what do i know, i only rebuilt my old valver. :lipsrsealed:
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I'm rebuilding my 20vT. Loving every minute of it and can't wait to finally hear it fire up :D
Pistons rings - there are 3 of them at the top of the piston. the previous explaination will do me. they also keep the piston in the centre of the bore. :) you have to be carefull not to break them when inserting the pistons into the block.
big end shells - installed in the big end of the con rod and wear before the rods or crank and are cheap to replace. just bought a set from GSF for £11 and replacing them tomorrow as mine is a little rattley :(
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AAAgggghhh! maybe I shouldn't have asked! I don't know what anything else is either! Nevermind. I'm useless when it comes to the mechanics of cars. :rolleyes: Thanks for explaining anyway. I just know I love mine and want it to get better soon! But still don't know what do do about getting the engine rebuilt or not! :undecided:
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Oh yeah I thought about a 2nd hand engine but how do i know that I'm not gonna have the same problem in a few thousand miles? That would be horrible if I bought a 2nd hand engine and then the same happened to that! Can you really garuntee 2nd hand engines??
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The way i see it, you have two options.
Rebuild it and have a fresh, but still the same engine as was in it before.
Or
Save some more cash, buy a second hand engine, (possibly uprate) and replace the existing one with that.
Either way it is going to be better to renew and refresh.
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if it's rebuilt by someone who knows what they're doing and you look after it and nurse the run in miles period it should last you a long time and you'll have the peice of mind knowing nothing else should go wrong.
you really do take your chances with a 2nd hand engine. even low mileage 20vT units blow up soon after they're used in conversions due to the way the previous car was wrote off (my theory)
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Rebuild it would probably be best, if possible.
The reason 20vt lumps blow up is probably because whoever is breaking the car is probably a bit economical with the truth when it comes to the real mileage :grin:
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Thanks guys, think i'll probably go for a rebuild. I'll ask a few questions first. I'll let you know what I do.
Cheers Guys :smiley:
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Update...
Today my engine guy took the oil sump off to get a better look. He said the big end shells and the camshaft are very worn so advised a rebuild. He has quoted £800. I asked him to take some photos of different stages of the build for my own reference (also good if I sell the car) which he is going to do. He asked me what colour I wanted it! This question stumped me a bit as I didn't realise it could be a different colour, anyway I went for shiny black. He is going to do the rocker cover shiny black too. Although its a lot of money (which I can't really afford!) I am quite excited about it now because 1, it will (hopefully) run better and be more reliable and 2, will look nicer!
Gem :smiley:
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:afro:
Nice one...and you will have a sweet engine to pose with at shows :cool:
and it will work, but thats just a side issue :laugh: