Cheers, I'm weighing up my options at the moment. Can't say I'm surprised it's gone really as the cars done 152k. Odd though as it's always run hotter than it should but never hot enough to cause a major problem. I had none of the HG tell tale signs.
Been thinking about it past couple of hours over a cup of coffee. I avoid garages at all costs if I can help it but have never taken on any serious engine work before. I've had a quote from pretty much the only garage I'm willing to take my cars too and he reckoned about £400 to do all the work I wanted. He's a VW expert and has done a few bits on it before. Either going to be top end rebuild, replacing the current headgasket, lifters as one sticks, and do the waterpump too. This option would mean I'd have the car back reasonably quickly as it's my daily.
Thought about sourcing another PB lump but decided against it. Better the devil you know in my opinion.
My last option was to sorn it and ABF the car. Not sure how I'd do this, maybe myself, maybe a garage (I doubt I could afford that). Also the hassle of sourcing a good engine, finding a crane/ place to work etc but perks in the respect that there would be more power.
Plenty of head scratching really
The car won't be leaving my possession though and I certainly won't be breaking it. Student Overdraft is going to take a bit of a pounding
