Head Gasket Blown

[Oldiebut goodie]

In which case I would check that out first then.

[Ian Hulley]

In which case I would check that out first then.

It's the

lots of white smoke out of the exhaust

which doesn't add up with your suggestion mate, when our's went on the Rocco we got oil in the coolant but the car ran the same (for nearly a year ) and there's no way for the mixture to get into the combustion process unless something else has deceased if you see what I mean ?

Ian

[ghost123uk]

you can weigh your garage bill against against a warrantied VW Elite replacement engine..

Agreed, from what we have seen on here over the years, finding a garage that can confidently repair these engines, what with all the things that can "get in the way" of the job, and offer any guarantee on it afterwards, is a rare and expensive thing

Many folk in your circumstances (including me, and I have been down the other road too !) would simply book it in with these folks = http://www.elitevw.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; They can (iirc) arrange collection and delivery and I also understand they have regional garages they trust to fit their engines and thereby maintain the warranty.

[Mave]

Thanks Peeps

Going to also check out a rconditioned engine (just in case)

I can see they are guarrenteed for 2 years, anyone had a recon for longer than this and what can they last up to?

Don't want to be paying out a grand evry 2 years.....

Thanks again for everything

Mave

[ghost123uk]

I can see they are guarrenteed for 2 years, anyone had a recon for longer than this and what can they last up to?

Many folks have had Elite engines in for years.

I just had a thought re your problem. It seems odd that you got white smoke and water in the oil at the same time as it would need both the liner base "O" ring and the head gasket ring(s) to fail to get those 2 symptoms as far as I can see.

Another possibility that could cause both symptoms might be a cracked cylinder head = easier and cheaper to sort out. A simple compression test would tell you. Your mechanic should be able to do that no problem. Mind you, as he has not already thought of this and he thinks a failed water pump could cause your symptoms, I would be VERY cautious of using him !

E D I T = or a broken head stud.

[Ian Hulley]

I can see they are guarrenteed for 2 years, anyone had a recon for longer than this and what can they last up to?

Our engine was reconditioned by Elite nearly 6 years ago for someone else and fitted to our's 4 years ago, 60,000 miles later and nothing to report. Not everyone is as fortunate though, please bear that in mind.

Ian

[Ian Hulley]

E D I T = or a broken head stud.

That's more like it. In which case you're back in the realms of recondition land or a known good unit.

[Mave]

Hi there

My mechanice did say he would need to do a compression test as that could be the cause too.
He was just trying to eliminate everything possible, he has worked on air cooled before but not watercooled.
I do trust him as he is a fellow motorcyclist and has been a mechanic for over 35 years and I have had good reports on his work, plus he is local to me.
I have just spoken to a VW mechanic and he said when the engine is stripped down the crank case could end up being cracked in which case i would have to scrap the engine and get another. He said he could get me an reconditioned engine for £2100 & Vat with 2 year guarentee, seems a bit excessive when Elite are doing them for £900, this VW mechanic said do not trust recon engines for the price of Elites.

Anyway, I would be more inclined to go with the views on the forum as you have all been through this and can give advise which is true

Thanks again

[ghost123uk]

I have just spoken to a VW mechanic and he said when the engine is stripped down the crank case could end up being cracked

Very very unlikely

He said he could get me an reconditioned engine for £2100 & Vat with 2 year guarentee, seems a bit excessive when Elite are doing them for £900, this VW mechanic said do not trust recon engines for the price of Elites.

Here we go again

[Ian Hulley]

You need another mechanic ... biker or not. Cracked crankcase my asre

[ermie571]

read carefully - vw mechanic not the bike mechanic (I don't think)

Em
xx

[Oldiebut goodie]

In which case I would check that out first then.

It's the

lots of white smoke out of the exhaust

which doesn't add up with your suggestion mate, when our's went on the Rocco we got oil in the coolant but the car ran the same (for nearly a year ) and there's no way for the mixture to get into the combustion process unless something else has deceased if you see what I mean ?

Ian

Doesn't the crankcase breather go to the inlet manifold on those petrol engines then?

[Ian Hulley]

Doesn't the crankcase breather go to the inlet manifold on those petrol engines then?

It goes through the 'beret' on the air inlet to the carb.

[Mave]

I have just spoken to a VW mechanic and he said when the engine is stripped down the crank case could end up being cracked

Very very unlikely

He said he could get me an reconditioned engine for £2100 & Vat with 2 year guarentee, seems a bit excessive when Elite are doing them for £900, this VW mechanic said do not trust recon engines for the price of Elites.

Here we go again

[Mave]

You need another mechanic ... biker or not. Cracked crankcase my asre

Ian, It was the VW mechanic who told me about the cracked crank case and how it is a major problem with these vans, not the biker mechanic I will be using
The VW mechanic also told me I would be better replacing my engine with the £2100 one and not to trust Elite VW......