Club 80-90 Forums

Hey all,
Looking for a bit of good advise please. I've just had my 1.6td JX engine pulled out of my van as I was looking to give it an overhaul. However, after having it removed by the mechanic, he called me round to take a look at some things
Firstly, the cylinder head is cracked between every valve. It's going away for testing over the weekend. I've been told this may be able to be repaired (welded) depending of how deep the cracks are. I remain to be dubious about this as I am a long, time served welder/fabricator and weld inspector of more than 12 years. I don't think I could ever be fully confident that a weld repair on such a thing as a cylinder head would ever be 100%. Whats you thinking on this.

Theres more issues as the oil was like treacle, leaky gaskets and seals and we have not even began to remove the pistons yet. I have every faith in my mechanic as I have know him and his work for a very long time.

I've already sent the turbo to Garrett to get overhauled, the fuel pump is being reconditioned and pressure tested, injectors are away for work and the gear box is being re-built. So....as you can tell, an alternative motor is out of the question. Also, I very much like the original 1.6 td motor.

My big question is now.....Do I purchase a newly re-manufactured (bare) JX engine or do I continue to strip, repair and overhaul the existing motor including the cylinder head.

Thanks in advance.
Chappers

That cylinder head looks well passed it's best,I've just fitted a remanufactured jx engine from AW Engineering in Darwin (great guys who really no there stuff) first time i've done a job like that too.
well happy just done 300kmh of the run in, starts on the button no smoke & pulls great.

Small cracks between valves are not a problem, check the head is straight, if its warped do not skim.

The cracks are very common apparently. Possibly a waste of time & money repairing. Was it running ok before? I guess with a rebuild you will have a known quantity afterwards


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What wrong with a new head if your 1 is u/s?

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Just had another look at that photo I would be far more concerned about the cracks in the pre cups than the head

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Thanks everyone for the useful input. I 'm just gonna go ahead and get a re-manufactured motor. It'll give me piece of mind in the long run.
My plan is to use AW Engineering, based on a lot of good things I've read about them.

I also have a gear box which has totally lost all drive on the left hand side which my mechanic is currently looking at. Fingers crossed it's not a new box i need as well.

Thanks again folks.

Chappers.

Those cracks are fine, most diesel heads of the type have cracks as do the combustion chambers

Bin the head and replace it.

They are good for 120k. Get a new head from AMC engineering in Spain where all the heads are coming from.

Head looks ok when cold. It's when hot it the problem.

With the diesels everything can be replaced they are not like the petrols.