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itchyfeet wrote:If you have to drill note depth, at least one person on here has drilled right through before...
Smiffo wrote: I might be worried about nothing - they come out with me just looking at them
CJH wrote:Smiffo wrote: I might be worried about nothing - they come out with me just looking at them
Mine did, pretty much. My engine had also been replaced about 10 years ago - no idea if the exhaust had been done again since - so that may have made the difference. I gently tried each one in turn and since they all moved without a problem I went ahead with the job. The only issue I had is that one of the replacement studs felt like it wasn't going to tighten, so I didn't do it up very tight. I suspect it needs a helicoil, but since I hope to be dropping the engine soon I'll do that then.
) but the studs I imagine would be easier if you could get them out with the nuts on. 
)tforturton wrote:Just to show what you could be up against - my Syncro has been more than a week at a specialist exhaust fitters, who know and work with these vehicles. Reason for the delay? They can't get all the exhaust studs out. These are guys who do this job day in, day out, yet they're stumped by one little stud. Believe me, they can be swines to deal with. I'm fairly certain that mine have been there since day one, and have never been touched, which might explain their reluctance to come out. So if yours have been shifted a couple of times in their life, they might move a bit easier. If not, then be prepared for a difficult job.
DoubleOSeven wrote:The mechanic in the first post was quoting £500 labour, so that's 10 hours. Sounds about right to me, but he's only quoting that that on past experience- which is fair. If you do it and after having a go some will inevitably snap, then pull the engine, remove the heads and send them to a machine shop. Ask them to reseat your valves while they're are at it. This will cost you about £300. Buy a stainless exhaust £500 and put it all back together. You'll really enjoy the process and have renewed confidence in your van skills. No mechanic wants to work on our vans anymore, from a business perspective I don't blame them. Imagine having your van in one of their ramps for hours/days blocking all the other work. They just want the quick turnaround new stuff.
Smiffo wrote:DoubleOSeven wrote:The mechanic in the first post was quoting £500 labour, so that's 10 hours. Sounds about right to me, but he's only quoting that that on past experience- which is fair. If you do it and after having a go some will inevitably snap, then pull the engine, remove the heads and send them to a machine shop. Ask them to reseat your valves while they're are at it. This will cost you about £300. Buy a stainless exhaust £500 and put it all back together. You'll really enjoy the process and have renewed confidence in your van skills. No mechanic wants to work on our vans anymore, from a business perspective I don't blame them. Imagine having your van in one of their ramps for hours/days blocking all the other work. They just want the quick turnaround new stuff.
That's true - I find I have to go to specialists now.
Having said that, the mechanic I mentioned quoted me that without even looking and also. Maybe he is good, maybe not. It's more like the a thought I had was "I wonder if he would still charge that if all the bolts / studs came out easily or in a couple of hours..."
Perhaps I'm just cynical?
It's all booked in for the 21st somewhere else - I have loosened 5 of them so we will see what happens then.
Ref enjoying it - you are right, I would, but I would hate it if I made it worse too.
I suppose it's an all or nothing situation I am not willing to gamble until I get more experienced.
I have much to learn..!!
Spot on!what2do wrote:Smiffo wrote:DoubleOSeven wrote:The mechanic in the first post was quoting £500 labour, so that's 10 hours. Sounds about right to me, but he's only quoting that that on past experience- which is fair. If you do it and after having a go some will inevitably snap, then pull the engine, remove the heads and send them to a machine shop. Ask them to reseat your valves while they're are at it. This will cost you about £300. Buy a stainless exhaust £500 and put it all back together. You'll really enjoy the process and have renewed confidence in your van skills. No mechanic wants to work on our vans anymore, from a business perspective I don't blame them. Imagine having your van in one of their ramps for hours/days blocking all the other work. They just want the quick turnaround new stuff.
That's true - I find I have to go to specialists now.
Having said that, the mechanic I mentioned quoted me that without even looking and also. Maybe he is good, maybe not. It's more like the a thought I had was "I wonder if he would still charge that if all the bolts / studs came out easily or in a couple of hours..."
Perhaps I'm just cynical?
It's all booked in for the 21st somewhere else - I have loosened 5 of them so we will see what happens then.
Ref enjoying it - you are right, I would, but I would hate it if I made it worse too.
I suppose it's an all or nothing situation I am not willing to gamble until I get more experienced.
I have much to learn..!!
If it's booked in then I wouldn't hesitate to spend some time on the few that are resisting. You've got plenty of time to soak them, if they shear (which they probably would also at the garage) then you've only got to live with it for a minimum amount of time before it gets done professionally. Go on, take a brave pill....
