Hi all, only me!

Got some dosh from a revised PPI claim so am getting my head gasket done before I sell it/keep it for daughter, Mrs is unconvinced ATM.

Looking for a few bits of advice on a few things before it goes in, as I can no longer do any work on the car myself. Using local garage and will let them buy the bits as then its all on them if it goes tits up. On top of this, the local VAG guy wasn't interested as there was no money in it for him, and Skoda were £425 minimum just for labour, based on 5 hours work.

1. Unable to tell if it has been done before, so not sure whether to skim the head or give them the OK up the size difference between the thinnest and thickest gasket, or leave it.

2. If I keep it for my daughter(honest) I will want to at the very least remap it to 170, so I am thinking uprated bolts. Was going to just use whatever PD150 bolts the garage got from TPS, but I thought someone had posted about better ones from TMS, which is who the garage use for most stuff now that Unipart have gone bust. If anyone has suggestions here please.

3. Anything else which is a cost effective thing to do while the head is off. Such as shells, lifters, etc.

Timing belt and water pump were done earlier this year so don't have to worry about them.

Cheers

Lennie

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you wont really know if its been done before and not skimmed unless they have changed to an aftermarket head gasket. Have you looked at the front of the engine to see the tab on the head gasket sticking out to see if it looks new or 10 year old and rusty?

 

Pd150 headbolts will be fine, people are running very high numbers, some over 300bhp on pd150 head bolts.

 

As for anything els that needs doing, simply inspect as you go, if the cam is worn replace it, if the tappets are worn, replace it... etc...

 

These pd engines have a soft top end so camshaft, bearings & tappets all suffer from wear if the wrong oil is used.

Head off -> new belt every time (accepted you only need the belt in this case).

I'll ask them to send the head to Kilmarnock engines to get tested before they do anything to it. Hutchy I'll double check that tab, forgot all about it. Well I won't touch it I'll ask the garage to check.

Ta muchly

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I am getting the impression no one wants my money here. I know mechanics hate cars and probably can't understand it, when I was an apprentice I hated trucks, now that I drive them I hate them more.

8 hours labour, gasket kit, belt, oil, filters, 10 pd150 bolts(£300?), including approximately £200 to have the head pressure tested and skimmed will come to about £800.

Mechanic is trying to talk me out of it and telling me spending over 50% of the cars value on repair doesn't make sense. My point of view is, I have in the last two years taken a car that was effectively a scrapper, replacing the seat covers, dash vents, door handles, sealing door carriers, new clutch and dmf, new water pump, new radiator and header tank, full new rear brakes Inc calipers, new front brake pads and discs, new gearknob insert, new can holder, new alloy wheel insert, new shifter cables, not to mention 9 oil and filter changes and MOTs, then spending this so it will run for another 220,000 miles,is nothing. Even if I don't keep it, I want whoever gets it so have a nice reliable motor to look after and enjoy as much as I have.

My wifes new(to us) DS3 will cost me £100 a month before anything goes wrong or needs serviced. I reckon spending less than that on a car I really like, and know inside out is well worth the expenditure.

I can't be the only one who thinks that? Or am I daft?

Lennie

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Those prices are over inflated,for £100 I had my PD head skimmed,fully decoked, valves reseated and new stem seals.

If you are really planning on keeping the car you spend the money on it if you want!

If your thinking of selling it I personally wouldn't be doing the gasket,as you won't increase your sale value imo when comparing it to what the high mileage will knock off.

Dont take it the wrong way, they might just be looking out for you. I always spend whatever money is needed on my cars, i dont buy them as an investment so dont see it as a loss of money.

 

Ive done a few head gaskets on these PD engines now and it isnt a bad job really so dont think they will be avoiding the job. 

I had assumed there was a problem causing the gasket change but now I am not so sure.

Perhaps I am pessimistic but I think I would look for a replacement engine before doing the head/gasket, assuming there was a fault driving the activity. Its not cheap and, if not done properly, can be a short-lived "fix" - perhaps I am reflecting my lack of faith in most "vw specialists". Of course if you can DIY and know the engineering workshop doing the skim...

I had assumed there was a problem causing the gasket change but now I am not so sure.

Perhaps I am pessimistic but I think I would look for a replacement engine before doing the head/gasket, assuming there was a fault driving the activity. Its not cheap and, if not done properly, can be a short-lived "fix" - perhaps I am reflecting my lack of faith in most "vw specialists". Of course if you can DIY and know the engineering workshop doing the skim...

It suffering from Head Lift buddy. Has been for over a year now, but was only confirmed properly after the water pump and timing belt were done in March.

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