Scott

Sounds like either the valve guides were not changed (ESSENTIAL!) or there is obviously some bore wear that they missed when head was taken off.... :evil: I'm really hoping my bores will be A1 when I take the head off - anyone know a good accurate way of checking them that can do at home? Scott.

Am sure it will be fine :wink: My VR6 has walked it's MOT's since I have had it.... :shock:

Laptop with VAG-COM I have the lead with 2*2 connector that fits VR6 Corrados up to 1994. Will help anyone out within the Manchester / Bolton Area Scott

The funny thing is I have a second work car that I use for the shopping, etc.... six months ago that was a banger Escort diesel that cost me next to nowt.... looked ok but I didnt give a monkeys about it.... dumped it in car parks anywhere, blah, blah.... I have since upgraded it to a half decent Pug 306 TDi and find myself doing the same things as what I do with the Corrado... although not quite to that extent!!! :roll: :roll: :oops: Think I need to sell it and get a rusty banger again :lol:

Not much then..... :lol: Mine smokes worse than that... and that smoke is when you are coasting to junction and accelerating out.. so that will be valve guides then. Like Kev says check 1 and 6.... get leakdown and compression test done if the plugs are fouling up... If the head needs to come off then do the tensioners - especially the top ones...

Pray you dont smash it then with 3rd party cover.............

Ok people, I am sure you have been reading my posts on my smoking VR6.... Well the time has come - in two weeks I will be stripping it down and rebuilding the cylinder head as it has classic valve guide wear am told. I will be posting up pictures, descriptions, etc as I go along... so keep an eye on this thread from time to time... And for those who say it cant be done.... I shall be doing the head job WITHOUT taking the gearbox off and replacing the top timing tensioners :D Head will be getting: New Valves New Guides New Seals New Tappets Full De-Coke Possible flowing Skim Total cost including fluids, gaskets and above is £300. Cheers Scott.

Sounds like you have knocked / ripped the wires that go to the sensor - very easy to do..... check the wiring.

Recommend anything Kev? mine is running 10w 40 at moment and it is summer... nearly!!

Whats the mileage? A new cylinder head re furb might give you those extra horses back.... Your mates mondeo should be left trailing with a 16V!!! - the 1.8 is a cracker when running right...

Probably because you wont be able to fit oversized rings on to the OE pistons on a worn VR6 as they tend to wear ovalised on the bores ....I also think you can only over size the rings by 0.025 max? Cheers for the tips guys... 3.1 sounds great but I reckon am looking on £500 alone for the pistons plus the necessary engineering work.... realistically £1k without labour.... no wonder Vince charges £2200... If the engine needs to come apart for major work then I will be costing up all options - It would be interesting to find out how much bigger I can go on the exisiting 2.9 block with over sized rings.......... could be a good cheap alternative ... Do you think I will need new big / little ends whilst its apart? With 112k on it I cant help wondering if its going to be cheaper just to source another engine with lower miles :oops:

Can I not do that with my 2.9 ???

If things get bad and I feel I warrant a new bottom end for the VR6.... what would you do? Obviously I am not loaded at this present time so need sensibly priced ideas... I can do alot of the work myself to keep costs down - a little nervous with the timing on a VR6 though :oops: I have thought about getting my local engineering shop to overbore the 2.9 and put in new pistons, etc myself.... How far can you go with the 2.9 engine or am I better off sourcing a 2.8 block and over boring that using my standard pistons? Any suggestions? I know I can get Vince to do the job but I dont have £2.5k spare :cry: Scott.

Ta mate :) keep it running till it cuts out ?

Just had a compression test done for me but not too convinced they knew what they were doing so I am going to check it myself... Can anyone give me tips on best way to do it to ensure accuracy? How do I stop engine from starting? - How many times do I turn it over on starter? I dont think I have a compression problem but want to make sure 100%... then its time for leakdown test (very hard to find somebody to do this for me!).... that will tell me whether its the valve guides... or the oil control rings - not fussed about either as easy enough to replace would have thought!!!! Scott

How did you get on mate>? Am interested to know... as am about to have the above leakdown test done myself... 112k and the compression figures show 160 - 170 psi across all six... not too bad. Leakdown test next :cry:

ta mate - seems a few plates on there cheap - am just after cover plates really. Will do job 8)

Agreed it isnt as good as the top of range Zymol or swissol stuff but I have never been able to compare it..... and like mentioned it costs about 20% of the cost of Swissol.... :roll: I use it as it doesnt leave dust behind like some other products and is easy to work with - leaves the paint like a mirror. My friends always comment on it. Scott.

Any suggestions where to get some cheap reg plates? Need one for my VR6 and Pug :lol:

Yup the stage three makes a BIG difference - paint is smooth as glass after all three stages... well worth it! I havent polished since last summer and the water still beads of very nicely :D

Awesome stuff - use it all the time. MILES better than the Autoglym, Zymol, etc but I havent compared to Swissol. I used the 3 stage system when first bought the VR6 and now just use gold class regularly - everytime I wash the VR it looks like new :D

I know mate... I know.... Its coming apart ASAP - just need to get a couple of races (RC Racing) out of the way then I'll be ready. What compression should a standard VR give? How will I be able to tell if have bore wear? Cheers Scott

True enough... but looks as though my other half is on the verge of throwing a serious wobbler if I sell the Corrado so best not :lol:

Thats why I'm not sure I have bore wear mate..... 192bhp from factory standard engine is hardly an indication of bore wear is it?

Funnily enough my garage (VW Specialists) told me same thing but the plugs were only 5k miles old!!! I am still not convinced as it still using a little oil and still fouls up plug number one (number six doesnt foul up anymore :? ) At the moment the problem seems to come and go.... I'm tempted to take the drive down to Stealth and let Vince look at it... as the moment I am in two minds whether to sell it or not!!! :cry: Scott