bruny

I'm in the process of doing mine now with 105K on the clock, no issues really I just thought it was time it was checked. really pleased I did bacause the top tensioner was showing real signs of wear. [Check out the piccies on my gallery] I would advise it needs doing but you will probably only need to replace the tensioner which shouldn't be that expensive. You dont need to drop the engine or gearbox if only doing the top tensioner rail, replace with the all plastic Mk 4 one.

Advice required regarding piston wear on a Vr6! All bushes and bores seem ok but measurements still need to be taken! Pistons seem to have suffered at some time for some reason, be it heat or lack of lubrication! Question is should these be replaced or is it superficial considering the fact that they shouldn't come in contact with the bores?? :help:Engine strip right down 014.JPG[/attachment:2ev37n6l]

Theory 1 : its run hot at some time in it's life!!! So why no wear on bushes and bores??? Theory 2 : It doesn't do many miles so the bores have time to dry up between running, causing increase friction until oil starts pumping and lubricating as it should, so why no wear on bushes and bores??? Theory 3: It is perfectly natural wear and tare on an engine with 105K miles on the clock so there is no need to panic { he says hopefully] Discuss and feel free to comment :confused4: Should these pistons go back in :help:Engine strip right down 015.JPG[/attachment:1y6sxcx1]

So why has this happenned to my pistons

Thats the good news, now for the bad. I'll show you the bores first, they seem pretty good I think :DEngine strip right down 016.JPG[/attachment:17matmn5] Little sign of scoring or wear!

Measurements still need to be taken but first impressions of the crankshaft look goodEngine strip right down 013.JPG[/attachment:1hiy6xhz]

Shells show little sign off wear or abuse

Big end shells also surprisingly good, just beginning to think I needn't have gone this far!!!!!Engine strip right down 011.JPG[/attachment:2p1djgit]

Not sure what I'll find, have to look a little closer!Engine strip right down 010.JPG[/attachment:3rgzyggd] Crank shaft bushes seem ok. Will replace them anyway. So far so good

In for a penny , in for a pound[ or perhaps a fair bit more :shock:Engine strip right down 009.JPG[/attachment:3fkv4ebk]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Jude, I guess I was up against some tuff competition. Will try again anyway all being well. I understand my Vr has had some abuse from what C & R in Nottingham said, I wouldn't expect a clutch to last that long and still have so much meat left on it :shrug: I may be wrong though because everything I've looked at so far has been in really good condition other than the top tensioner on the cam chain. A rebuild will remove the element of doubt and should ensure a trouble free future :clap:

Thanks for the comments guys. Its always a relief when you find things aren't as bad as expected. :clap: I'd figured the clutch must have been ready if the tensioner needed doing as you would normally do both at the same time, it obviously hasn't had the chains done but with 105K on the clock must have had a clutch at sometime. As for slave/ master cylinder situation- I know there is a problem somewhere but dont want to replace things [bearing in mind the cost] for no reason. However its certainly easier to work on these bits with no motor in the way :) Is it possible to recondition these items or is it a case of replacement? Timescale is'nt set for completion but I expect end of February so as not to rush things. Cosmetics are important as well cos I am going to try another concours competition after my failed first attempt at Stanford Hall last summer :( Pete, Ive been following your progress with the R32 conversion, very frustrating but I'm sure it will be worth the wait :salute:

Have stripped the engine to sort camchain tensioner etc, assumed clutch would need doing as well! Going to go right through the whole motor while its down so will probably put a new clutch in anyway. I know the slave cylinder is dodgy as the pedal sticks on occasion.

Does anybody happen to know the thickness of a Vr6 clutch? Have stripped mine and there seems to be plenty of meat left on it!!017.JPG[/attachment:1a4u4h4h]

Any updates on this yet iceviolet ?? I'm doing a rebuild on mine, but haven't dropped the crank out yet. Useful thread friend :notworthy:

If you're coming down to Retford Tom, I still have the arch liners on one side for you :)

Just replaced the ZAU with a ZAM but my bro has the spreader and book down in Cirencester. Can give you rough settings for blue bag and 0 24 24 but its too costly this year to throw around willy nilly. Would recomend a call to Amazon just up the road from us, they are really helpfull for setting instructions. pm me and I'll dig out my old records and or number if you like! Would be nice to do a special conversion, 24v or something, but I dont use this one to the limit so the extra power would be wasted on me, not a good enough driver :nono: A standard rebuild has got to be the easiest option [i hope]

Can't afford to lay down, got to finance this project, think it's going to be expensive :shock:

Good bunch, they know their VW's,and good service, recommended :D

C & R found a Vag .com fault reading of the engine being over revved [perhaps by hitting 2nd from 4th at high speed] and thought the bottom end seemed noisey so although on first inspection it seems ok it will be rebuilt with new shells all round. Oil pump will be checked out, water pump replaced as a matter of course. I have not costed this so far, it might frighten me, but hopefully wont have to do anything major after this :clap:012.JPG[/attachment:1di7tmdb] look forward to seeing you Kip, any advice greatfully recieved :salute:

Pistons and bores seem good for 105,000 miles so quick hone job and new rings should do the job for the next 10 years [30,000 miles]015.JPG[/attachment:2pjqmztx]

Valves seem ok, head service will include new followers, seals, regrind etc. Not planning on porting and polishing as yet:shrug:014.JPG[/attachment:29to7zqz]

On stripping the engine found out that it was'nt timed correctly, perhaps a tooth out! There was plenty of clutch material left but the top timing chain tensioner was well worn :shock: 016.JPG[/attachment:2s33c35k]

The next phase of the restoration project begins Engine out, strip and rebuild. As ever once you start you may as well do it properly. Planning to keep it as the factory intended, there will not be many standard ones left soon!006.JPG[/attachment:3ff9vhuq]

Impressive list Pete :notworthy: Bet you dont want to do a cost to date list, :shock: bit frightening I guess. It will be awesome to drive something something you've done right through. Big up to you mate, now get back to work and start earning some more cash :lol: Will catch up with you sometime, really want to see the finished item :wave: