1.9DG Head gasket blown, multiple questions

Post by **williamkay** » 22 Jun 2017, 20:43

Hi, so apparently my head gasket is done so I am looking for advice. The garage I spoke to said they would need to do both head gaskets as the other would also be on the way out... My quote is below which seems steep

However, a recon engine from ELITE is 'only' £1000, would it be a better option just do that? I dont know how much fitting that would be? Any ideas? I could even replace with the 2.1 DJ as I heard thats a better engine.

Also, the van still seems to be driving OK, it just overheats easily as I have to keep topping up coolant - I have a camping trip next weekend about an hour away, can I still risk it if the coolant level is maintained?

Thanks for any thoughts...
Will

QUOTE.... does this look reasonable?
Labour 672.00 (12-14 hours labour, 14 hours quoted)
Headsets x2 206.55 (103.27 each)
Skim/crack test 190.00 (95.00 each)
Push rod tubes 103.68 (12.96 each)
Oil filter 5.26
Oil 40.00
Water pump 36.52 (may not be necessary)
Antifreeze 15.00
Total 1269.01
Vat 253.80
TOTAL £1522.81

Post by **williamkay** » 22 Jun 2017, 20:49

Literally noticed in on the first drive after lots of effort painting so am a bit gutted!

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 22 Jun 2017, 21:33

Don't buy an Elite engine.

14 hours to rebuild is ok.

A headset, well a new head is £300 each side, so I'm not quite sure this is?

Again skim/crack test, I assume they are testing the heads here, they always crack between the valve heads so a visual inspection is sufficient IMO

No mention of a new gasket set anywhere, they are £100 and you are going to need one.

Me, I'd take the opportunity to move your ancillaries over to a 2.1, plenty of write ups on here about that.

The garage, I don't think that figure is bad, depends if you can trust them..if your heads are shot they are £300 each, so that figure will rise...then it's blank cheque time for you, to the garage.

Take it apart yourself, if you can.

Drive In, Drive Out is going to cost and there are only a few specialists who can do a good job, like the guys on this forum. Example being, Andrew @ Campershack, if you can get it to him...but I imagine he's got a full diary for the months to come.

Good Luck, we can help if you do it yourself.

Post by **R0B** » 22 Jun 2017, 21:35

Not sure you will find a decent 2.1 very easily..

Post by **williamkay** » 22 Jun 2017, 21:39

Thanks, I think "Headsets" must mean the gasket sets as they are around £100 on JK I think.

I cant do it myself, I just dont have the time or skills. It would be a good thing to learn but I have too much on.

Any idea why the recon engine on VW Heritage is almost 3 times the price? https://www.vwheritage.com/025100022bx- ... -early-ssp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If I had the money then I guess that would be the way to go? Which I dont, so I'm worried I may just have to sell 'as is' which breaks my heart.

Post by **lodgey62** » 22 Jun 2017, 21:48

Do you need to do both?

Post by **lodgey62** » 22 Jun 2017, 21:49

Whereabouts are you?

Post by **richlaz** » 22 Jun 2017, 22:05

Someone on the Club80-90 Facebook page was selling a DG engine a couple of days ago... It could save you a few hundred on parts...

The labour I'd imagine would be quite a bit cheaper too using that as a donor

Post by **williamkay** » 22 Jun 2017, 22:11

Thanks, Am in Exeter.

So would you do the engine swap then with this one?

Post by **kevtherev** » 22 Jun 2017, 23:00

I would buy an elite engine
It comes with a warranty.
I would also buy an engine off Simon Davey.

Then I would get my old engine and repair it.
Sell it or refit it and sell the replacement.

The diffetence in price is because Elite sell replacement engines Heritage sell reconditioned engines

Post by **williamkay** » 23 Jun 2017, 05:48

Ill call Andrew @ Campershack today. Volkspares seem to be good value, a reconditioned DJ engine FITTED is £2100 all in. Do they have a good rep?

Post by **kevtherev** » 23 Jun 2017, 06:02

There's no really stand out engine reconditioner to my knowledge.
A properly reconditioned engine costs way more than £2000
Go westy in the States offer such an engine.

Personally I'd fit a working engine seen/heard running.

Post by **what2do** » 23 Jun 2017, 06:44

The warranty that comes with the Elite engine is good for lighting the camp fire. Many many tales of engines blowing up before the end of the road or on the motorway - you then have to arrange for the vehicle yo be taken to their garage before another lousy engine is put in at their leisure.

Steer clear, well clear.

Post by **williamkay** » 23 Jun 2017, 06:52

OK will do.

My concern is that I do this double gasket change and it works. But this recon engine has done 75k and surely there are other bits that aren't great on it too? I mean is it worth it? Is it a false economy as I will have to spring for a recon not far down the line anyway?

I have rough paperwork on this van, the last thing on 'engine' i can fine is "supply and fit engine" £600 from SMASHING in Leeds in 2005.

I have also emailed spannerboy about the engine above. Might be fun to try rebuilding one myself over time for when it does need replacing!

Post by **williamkay** » 23 Jun 2017, 09:07

Phoned Simon Davey who can send the engine on Monday so fingers crossed.

Club 80-90 Forums