VR6 in need of reconditioning

[Rpmayne 0]

Had my VR6 running on 5 cylinders this week, removed the plugs and no.6 was soaked in oil. Valve stem seals look the likely cause, compression was good and power was at 194bhp when rolling roaded 6 months back. Has done 83,000mls so seems abit early, but these aren't the most reliable engine VW ever built from what I hear.

 

Also keeps stalling now and sounded rattly, bump start it regularly and now I think the belt tensioner is feeling it. (Know I shouldn't but getting a little pissed off with it. Should I have stuck with golfs??!)

 

Basically I wanted to check what bits I need to get:

 

- Head gasket set from VW inc. valve stem seals etc..

- Chain tensioner

 

I was going to leave the hydraulic lifters as they don't sound noisy yet (won't be too bad to change later on). Also hoping the guides aren't worn.

 

Are there any other bits I need to do, such as a new chain? Money is non-existent so it's gotta be the absolute essentials. Hence DIY :( Ta

[dr_mat 0]

I'd have said you may aswell do the lifters now, as they're relatively cheap compared to the time and effort required to remove and refit the head...

 

Not that I've done this, just that seems to be the general consensus of people on the forum...

[Rpmayne 0]

Yer, makes sence. Will probably get the lifters, just underestimated how much money I've had to spend.

 

On a related note, removing the slam panel to take the radiator out to gain access... has anyone found that some of the self tapping screws used to hold it on have been onvertightened and so damaged the flimsy threads in the wings etc.

 

Most are just about gripping, but when I do the head I can't see them holding again. They need repairing and the only thing I can think of using are the sort of metal fixings that come with speakers (the bent pieces of metal which has a clearance hole one side and a slit/hole for the thread the other). Any ideas on where to get some bigger ones? Or an alternative? Cheers.

[dazzyvr6 0]

think they are called speed clips,and you can get the from somewhere like halfords :)

[corradovr6sc 0]

When you take the rocker cover off check that both cams are aligned and the condition of the upper chain guide. Replace this part if it is worn and possibly change the chain if the cam timing is still out as they do stretch over time.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Pretty much all of the work is DIY-able. The head will need to go to a workshop to get the valve guides pressed in though, but you can lap the valves in yourself and reassemble the head if you can be arsed.

 

If you're doing the chains, obviously the box and flywheel will have to take a vacation from the engine for a while, but check the "12V VR6" forum on VWVortex as these have found that later VR6 chain guides and tensioners are interchangable with earlier ones. The later ones (in their MK4 Golfs) are solid plastic (quieter and more durable) and not plastic lined metal strips.

 

Have a look at the attached for the chain parts. I can PM you a couple of Acrobat files with all the late and early part numbers if required.

 

I believe also that the VR6 head gaskets are now steel like the 2.0 16v's.

 

If you source all the parts and necessary tools, I reckon you could probably get the majority of it done over a weekend, pending the head rebuild time.

 

Kev

[Scott 0]

I agree - am doing this job myself very soon and will be replacing the guides, tappets, top chain tensioner, etc as a matter of course.... local specialist quoted me £700 to do the job..... seems heavy to me considering I can get the head work done and all parts for £250 approx....

 

Scott