Head gasket blown, engine is toast, now wearing in a Vege

[Llamapup]

Hello

I was driving down the M1 and my battery light came on just south of Watford Gap. One mile later, I lost power and pulled over on to hard shoulder. Lots of steam coming out the black vents on the by the rear tail gate. Water pouring out under the engine bay. Got towed by RAC to nearest service. They confirmed broken fan belt caused alternator to stop charging, hence the battery light on dash. Unforunatly the temperature sensure plug blew out and I lost almost all the water. The Headgasket has gone and I had to get a tow on a flat bed all the way to where we are holidaying in the New Forest near Lymington on the South Coast. This wasn't a camping trip just an an excuse to drive my Westy.

The van is a 1991 1.6 Turbo Deisel which is currently sitting in the forecourt of the local garage here in Keyhaven. The guy has had a quick look and tells me that it has an alloy head which could be warped from overheating and damaged from escaping steam where the headgasket failed. They plan to whip the head off today and have a look to see if its warped or not. I'm keen to get back on the road asap.

If its just a headgasket that needs replacing, any idea of how many hours labour I should expect them to charge to do the job?

If the head is warped, what's my best bet, having it plained or just getting it replaced? I don't want to spend loads of money on labour charges if getting a replacement is easier. The garage tells me they can get me a non VW replacement one from their supplier if needed. Is there some place that can ship a replacement cylendar head overnight that anyone reccomends?

In the mean time though, me the missus and the one year old baby are holed up in a lovely cottage by the sea with lots of access, to pub, fish and chips, walks on beach, sea kyaking and two bikes for trips to the beach hut and the local shops for provisions etc. So we are not actually that inconvenienced by this breakdown just yet. We have two weeks before I hope to drive my Westy back to Leeds on the 1st of July.

Please be advised that I am not that handy with fixing engines, so I won't be trying to fix this myself. Slightly worried about how much this is going to cost me though. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

Llamapup

[jaylo264]

if sympathy will help, here's lots .

jaylo

[Llamapup]

Thanks for that. I'm hoping it doesn't amount to more than my checkbook can handle.

I've been searching for ages. Where do you get a Type 25 1.6TD Ccylinder head from?

Thanks

Llamapup

[psychonaut]

I can't really advise as to how much you'll pay i'm afraid, but i can offer a bit of advice as my 1600 n/a diesel spat her dummy, and her head gasket, all over the slow lane of the M4 a few weeks ago.

Because you have an alloy head, unless you caught it in time, there's a high chance that it's warped beyond being recoverable by skimming. However, i think that spares are pretty easy to come by, although unless you were absolutely certain of it's provenance you'd want a replacement skimmed before fitting just to be sure. Here in South Wales having my head skimmed cost me £65, but it might be a bit more expensive in the New Forest. If you need a replacement one, then there are plenty of places about to get one - there are many people on this forum who know the best places to get spares and i'm sure they'll jump in with suggestions for a new head soon.

To replace the head gasket and stretch bolts on my n/a 1600 costs about £100, plus the labour to do it - i would have thought a morning's worth at most, including removing it in the first place?

Hope that helps a bit

[windysurfer]

AW Engineering in Darwen Lancs do recon JX heads. Not sure how much but they have a good reputation.

http://vwenginerecon.co.uk/

AW Engineering (Darwen) Ltd
Ellesmere Road Garage
Darwen
Lancashire
BB3 1HT

Tel: 01254 773250
Fax: 01254 706170

Email: info @ vwenginerecon.co.uk

also on Ebay

Hope you get it sorted.

cheers

[windysurfer]

Aw have a head on eBay at the minute
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-DIESEL-TRANSPO ... 1|294%3A30

£460 inc vat +£26 postage

[xpress]

you might want to look for a donor engine, only a few bolts and pipes and you're back on the road again. it's an option.

[windysurfer]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-CAMPERVAN-TURB ... 1|294%3A50

[SplendiferousII]

Hello

Lots of steam coming out the black vents on the by the rear tail gate. Water pouring out under the engine bay.

Llamapup

Steam is a very good sign in your case. If it was still making steam and lots of it then it was still being cooled. When its stops your in trouble.

Fill it up with water and start the engine - dont even worry about the fan belt yet.

If the water is thrown straight back out or the header tank surges and bubbles lots then ok your head is gone. If not stick a new belt on a drive on.

[wookey]

maybe its worth a looky see if ra/sa heads from a passat etc will be the same? just a thought there are more of them about. might even be able to get a ra/sa head from a scrappy?!

just a thought. still enjoythe new forest its a nice part of the world ! beats our hols last yr, 5 days stuck in pisa, italy.. the novalty of the leaning tower (which is the only thing to do there) wore off after approx 30 mins!

[t3trooper]

HI, I have had 2 engines and other work done by AW Engines, all parts used are top quality German, it might be the easiest solution to fit a new head if its gone as it comes complete and will save time and seaching for a second hand one, which may be iffy in the long term. Ring AW and speak to Tony or Keith who will advise you. I can recommend them.
Best of Luck
Steve

[Llamapup]

Hi there

I'm still waiting for the garage to diagnose the condition of my cylendar head after blowing my head gasket on Wednesday. Thanks for the advice and contact for AW Engines. I'll contact them in the morning.

Is it a JX type Cylinder head that I will likely need for my 1991 Westy 1.6 TD?

Thanks

Chris

[Llamapup]

Well. My engine is cooked. The garage that is looking after my Westie has took the rocker cover off and has found that the oil splash guard has completely melted all over the valve gear. The top of the engine seemed to have been completely starved of oil and the only water left in the whole system was the water in the resevoir behind the registration plate!

Bugger.... I need a new engine.

I'm opting for a recconditioned Vege engine of the same specification as I have judged this to be my best bet considering my predicament. I have posative experience of them in the past. I can see that there has been quite a bit of discussion on this forum about reconditioned engines so I don't want to have a big debate on this thread about the pros and cons of the Vege engines. I just hope they will be able to get my van back on the road before I need to head back to Leeds next Wednesday morning.

Thanks for all your advice about the cylendar head. It looks like I'll be needing a bit more of my engine replacing.

Cheers

Llamapup

[t3trooper]

Hi Why not a engine from Aw engines ? Are they more money than Vege
steve

[Llamapup]

To be honest I didn't realise that they did complete engines. Their prices for the cylinder head where pretty much the same as from Vege though. I suppose I would have preferred to support a small UK business had a realised before I ordered. Anyway... my engine is due to be delivered today or tommorrow and should be fitted by the end of the week. I'm getting a new clutch fitted at the same time as they won't charge any additional labour to swap a new one in. I just hope that I have fewer problems with my new engine than I did with the old one. I'll let you all know how I get on.