hi guys

 

bad news! mechanic just told me i have to get a new engine as one of my valves has gone. should i try get another engine or scrap it and get another one?

I've been expecting this news, sadly. Was this diagnosed by compression testing?

Fitting a new engine is only really economically viable if you can do it yourself, and even then is a gamble unless you know the history of the donor car.

Aye, Pete is right.

 

Your options are getting another BZG, or another car really. If you have the space, then you could break up the old one for parts. Otherwise get rid of it in the best way possible, whichever that may be.

 

Not the best news, but hope it helps.

23 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

I've been expecting this news, sadly. Was this diagnosed by compression testing?

Fitting a new engine is only really economically viable if you can do it yourself, and even then is a gamble unless you know the history of the donor car.

yes, was done via compression test.

 

i dont think i can put the engine in myself so i guess the only other option is scrap it and get another car.

You could get a quote for head refurb, but it will be a lot of money I fear.

 

3 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

You could get a quote for head refurb, but it will be a lot of money I fear.

 

how much is alot of money?

Very dependent on local labour costs, so at least you're in the right half of the country.

The fact that the garage suggested replacing engine rather than refurbishing the head is probably a clue though.

 

1 minute ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Very dependent on local labour costs, so at least you're in the right half of the country.

The fact that the garage suggested replacing engine rather than refurbishing the head is probably a clue though.

 

sorry i have moved to cornwall now.

 

what is the clue? do you mean they probably wont know how to do a head refurb?

No, I mean they think the refurb will be more expensive than to swap in another engine. Maybe they just don't fancy the refurb job. Much easier to swap in another engine, in my opinion.

Having just looked at the going rate for BZGs on ebay I'm a bit surprised by how much they go for (~£600+). There must be tons of them in scrapyards by now.

1 minute ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

No, I mean they think the refurb will be more expensive than to swap in another engine. Maybe they just don't fancy the refurb job. Much easier to swap in another engine, in my opinion.

Having just looked at the going rate for BZGs on ebay I'm a bit surprised by how much they go for (~£600+). There must be tons of them in scrapyards by now.

garage has quoted me 1000 pound all in for an engine swap.

 

i was looking at engines too on ebay and they are very expensive!

6 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Having just looked at the going rate for BZGs on ebay I'm a bit surprised by how much they go for (~£600+). There must be tons of them in scrapyards by now.

 

 

Might not help that scrap prices have went up with car prices overall AFAIK.

19 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

garage has quoted me 1000 pound all in for an engine swap.

 

That doesn't surprise me.

@Crasher might be kind enough to offer a view on relative costs of head refurb versus engine swap labour costs. I  know that 'back in the day' there used to be repair kits for the 3-potters including whole new head, cat etc, for not that much money, not sure if that's true of the BZG generation?

 

3 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

 

That doesn't surprise me.

@Crasher might be kind enough to offer a view on relative costs of head refurb versus engine swap labour costs. I  know that 'back in the day' there used to be repair kits for the 3-potters including whole new head, cat etc, for not that much money, not sure if that's true of the BZG generation?

 

just rang the garage up for a quote on head refurb, they asked me t take my car down for some numbers. il go there either tomorrow or monday.

 

i was just thinking, if i bought the repair kit and just pay the labour, will that be cheaper?

Just now, froggy8 said:

i was just thinking, if i bought the repair kit and just pay the labour, will that be cheaper?

Dunno. If you had a known good head that they could swap on that would save a bunch of time, toing and froing etc, but I suspect they will be hard to find in guaranteed good condition.

 

Just now, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Dunno. If you had a known good head that they could swap on that would save a bunch of time, toing and froing etc, but I suspect they will be hard to find in guaranteed good condition.

 

just had a quick look for new ones, will this do:

 

https://www.kongperformance.co.uk/products/vag-seat-skoda-volkswagen-1-2-12v-cylinder-head-repair-kit-snapped-chain-fits-cordoba-ibiza-toledo-fabia-rapid-roomster-polo

Wait and hope for 'Crasher' to reply, he's in the trade, so will have far more knowledge and experience of the options than I do.

Just now, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Wait and hope for 'Crasher' to reply, he's in the trade, so will have far more knowledge and experience of the options than I do.

ok, many thanks again for your help.

 

i will wait for crasher to reply.

52 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

sorry i have moved to cornwall now.

Changing your 'Location:' from Halifax to Cornwall might bring you more local help and connections if you live there full time you may find rates are more reasonable than other parts of the country.

 

2 hours ago, nta16 said:

Changing your 'Location:' from Halifax to Cornwall might bring you more local help and connections if you live there full time you may find rates are more reasonable than other parts of the country.

 

 

I wouldn't count on it, they still point at aeroplanes down there, a man with three different hammers is classed as a skilled mechanic.

 

You might find a decent machine shop in Plymouth if you're lucky.

hi guys

 

i was wondering if there is such a thing as valve sealant for a easy fix till i can get the money?

1 hour ago, froggy8 said:

hi guys

 

i was wondering if there is such a thing as valve sealant for a easy fix till i can get the money?

 

In a word, no.