VR6 Timing Chains/Tensioner replacement quote (Feedback Appreciated)

[GUS 0]

Hi Peeps!

 

I've been quoted £1550 all in to have the chains/tensioner/clutch replaced and the cylinder head overhauled.

 

My question to you all is how necessary is it to get the head work done as this is something that was advised to do at the same time.

 

Mileage on the car is 120k.

 

£1550 is a little over budget as my expectations were around the £1k mark excluding the head work.

 

Also I'm assuming a head overhaul is decoking/skimming and very different to what some refer to as a complete head rebuild.

Edited January 5, 2016 by GUS

[massbad69 10]

I'm jumping in just to get notifications of the answers as it's something I might consider in the future depending on rough costs.

[Jon_vr6 1]

If you can afford to get the head work done then do it, as while its all apart you might aswell get it done.

[Jim Bowen 1]

See if it's much cheaper without the head work. Unless there are signs it needs it. My 220,000mile head wasn't too bad at all really when i took it off.

 

It has to be skimmed if removed. Not really sure what they do to the head for £1550 all in. That's a reasonable price for just doing clutchs and chains. Could be £400+ in genuine parts to do clutch and chains.

[MDMTechnik 10]

£1550.00 is a damn good price. Is this from a VW specialist? VAT included? Using genuine parts?

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

Gus have a read of my build thread & specifically the part about when I had my chains & head rebuild done.

 

from personal experience budget WAY more than you first think as once it is apart there are lots of old parts that could well also need replacing. plus, as we all know, with cars of out age just getting them apart can sometimes break stuff which then has to be replaced

 

my engine work at stealth worked out a lot more than I originally intended - though I did also improve both the performance & engine asthetics

[GUS 0]

The quote is from Stealth.

 

The general advice always seems to be get the chains and tensioners replaced but this was the first time I had heard about head overhaul.

 

I guess I just need to see what the difference is in cost without the head overhaul work and also understand what exactly is involved.

 

The only other quote I've had back is from Jody at Midland VW, and he's quoted £1k but that's excluding the head overhaul.

 

I'm slap bag in the middle of these two specialists, but I get the impression that Stealth have a little more love for the Raddo and especially the VR6 engine.

[Jim 2]

I know it's extremely un-impartial of me as I've been a customer of Stealth now for the better part of 15 years. But they know the VR6 engine inside out, and I think for the sheer amount of work involved in that job, the price is pretty reasonable. I'd hand the keys over to them with full confidence that the work would be done right.

 

They do love the Corrado there, and have been working on them forever. It speaks volumes that of all the project cars they could build, the last couple have both been Corrado's :)

[Jim Bowen 1]

and imo, Stealth receipts look good in the service history :lol:

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

The quote is from Stealth.

 

The general advice always seems to be get the chains and tensioners replaced but this was the first time I had heard about head overhaul.

 

I guess I just need to see what the difference is in cost without the head overhaul work and also understand what exactly is involved.

 

The only other quote I've had back is from Jody at Midland VW, and he's quoted £1k but that's excluding the head overhaul.

 

I'm slap bag in the middle of these two specialists, but I get the impression that Stealth have a little more love for the Raddo and especially the VR6 engine.

 

again Gus - my build thread is very pertinent to your current train of thought as I have journeyed down it myself (though from our little pre-Christmas meet & chat you may very well already be bearing my experiences in mind

 

personally I would go to stealth, even despite the testing time I had with them I still highly recommend them as Vince & Jon produce superb results, plus Vince is not happy until his customer is happy!

 

please make sure you well over budget though just in case

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

and imo, Stealth receipts look good in the service history :lol:

 

ha ha that they do Jim

 

they go beautifully with the power output curves from them too ;)

[VAG-hag 0]

and imo, Stealth receipts look good in the service history :lol:

 

I have to hide mine from the Mrs :lol: on a serious note I would rather stealth receipts then VW franchise.

 

Gus, another vote for Stealths work here. They know and love VR6s. If you want to know more detail about what's covered by the head overhaul then the guys will go into as much detail as you would like.

[Jim Bowen 1]

I have to hide mine from the Mrs :lol: on a serious note I would rather stealth receipts then VW franchise.

 

 

I know. Some dealerships you go to still think it's a scirocco. At least you know stealth have seen a corrado or a vr6 engine before.

[GUS 0]

Thanks for the feedback guys, this is something I'm considering in the spring so I can enjoy the car in the summer, well that's the plan anyway.

[GUS 0]

Got the Raddo back from Stealth today, finally got round to getting the obligatory chains and tensioner work done, also decided to add the SP 263 cams and a stealth remap to the mix.

Can't believe how much more alive and smoother the car feels.

I'm not one for chasing numbers, but Vince stated that 215bhp, 204 lbs torque wasn't bad going.

I took along a MANN air filter to switch with whatever was already in there, and it turned out to be K&N panel.

Should I keep the MANN or revert back to the K&N?

 

PS: There was nice silver Vr6 parked outside, smoothed bumpers, anyone on here.

[GUS 0]

Spoke to soon, just took the car out for a quick run and all of sudden got a whole lot of steam coming out from the front, got it home and all the coolant has disappeared, and there's the sound of crackling from the top of the engine.

 

I can only see a slight oil leak from the bottom no coolant, has the head gasket blown.

[Cressa 44]

Gutted for you. I hope its okay

 

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[seanl82 23]

Oh dear! Can you see any hint of mayo type substance on the filler cap? If not, I'd suggest filling the water up to top, and running the car up to temperature at idle, and have a look around for any leaks.

[Cressa 44]

I'd be ringing Stealth first thing tomorrow

 

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[Jim 2]

That's not good at all :(

[GUS 0]

Just letting it cool down, its odd how all the coolant has gone without it pouring out anywhere.

I've not got any G12 at home to top it up with.

 

Looks like a phone to Stealth in the morning.

[GUS 0]

Just checked and there's no mayo on the Filler cap.

Can I just fill with regular water to check for leaks?

Sure its not a leak as there's no drips at all from below.

[seanl82 23]

Just use water to see if there is anywhere visible you can see it leaking from. Chances are if it is a leak, you'll have to drain the system anyway so you can top it up with the anti-freeze then.

[Cressa 44]

Regular water will be fine to allow you to sleep tonight as well

 

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[seanl82 23]

Leave the filler cap off whilst you run it up to temp, as if the system is dry you'll end up with air locks.