Split-Personality 0 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi Guys,Have been lurking on the forum for quite some time, not usually the quiet type but am pretty new to this VR6 ownership malarky.Countless times though I have done google searches and you guys have come up in results spreading the knowledge, so thanks for that. I did do a search but couldn't locate any info quickly, apologies if it is a re-post.I have an 'N' reg OBD2 VR6, pretty much standard apart from coilovers, Vibra Technics engine mounts and a Milltek s/s exhaust.Since finding out my front engine mount was dead and replacing all three with the Vibras she was running beautifully! Came accross a spirited RX-8 yesterday on the A14 and there was precious little between the cars, German engineering all the way! Sadly, a few hours later I returned to the A14 only for something to go pop. The spark plug for cylinder 1 had popped clean out of the cylinder head. The car was making a terrible noise and was massively down on power so I called it a day and got recovered. Had been running normal coolant temps, oil was high-ish at 104 but then it was 30 degrees here in Cambridge yesterday.I have tried to put the plug back in and all felt good until the last few turns of the wrench when the thread gave way. Wont hold the torque, metal filings on the bloody spark plug's thread... SH!T BALLS!Have been on a mission today to find a mobile engineer to come fix it where it lays, most sadly seem to be up north. After speaking to some helpful people I have found a few more local people that can undertake the work.Obviously I have two options, the ultimate in terms of quality and finish being taking the cylinder head off and to an engineer who will stick a helicoil in. Only thing is I do not have the skills to take the engine apart and the local garage wants 900 squid to take it apart and rebuild it. So that's a non starter as I only spent 800 on her in the first place. Yes you get ripped off massivley round these parts.So I want someone to come out and helicoil her outside my house. I have found one person, a Martin Low from Harlow in Essex who said he will attemp it. He said it would be more likely to have a happy ending if I remove the inlet manifold and rocker cover. I have been out staring at my engine bay, again I don't have the experience or the balls to give this a go. My local garage said they will charge me 2 hours labour to get the car prepared for the 'thread engineer' and then put it back together again. But of course I might pay them and the engineer to find out it cant be fixed.So please any advice appreciated... does anyone have experience of this problem? Know someone who can fix the problem? Can the engineer minimise the amount of metal shards thats get into the cylinder if fixing the head whilst its still in the car? How much should I be looking to pay for the manifold/rocker cover removal/application? The engineer wants 100 if he fixes it, 40 if he does not.Failing that does any one want to buy a lovely dragon green N reg VR6? :S Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 First and most importantly I can't see how it can be done without debris getting into the bore. My prefered choice would be to remove the head and get it done properly at an engineering firm. If you were to do this and do it yourself the cost would still have to include gaskets and consumables. Removing the inlet manifold and rocker cover is quite a simple task and might be worth a go as you've not much to loose really. Link to post Share on other sites
jims13 6 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Where about are you , I no a man who may be able to help . Link to post Share on other sites
Daverse 175 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 theres also a guide in the premium section on how to remove manifolds and rock cover, although as bungy said its not that hard, even I can do it! personally I would just change the cylinder head, the garage cant ask too mich for this surely? Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Cheers for you help this far guys, I live in Cambridge.The most I have ever done on a car is replace a front bumper. Fix a dodgy ABS sensor.... really don't think I can get the head off myself. Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 The local garage said they'd take 900 off me to take the cylider head off and then replace it once a helicoil had been put in. This was for labour and new gasket and parts etc. Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Id PM Tonyvrt on here as he can do that for ya quite easily.And if you want a new cylinder head I have one that Tony supplied for sale Link to post Share on other sites
cabrioman 6 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 best way would be to pay me to remove the head and fit a 2nd hand one mate and will be alot cheaper than get some garage that dont really know what they are doing as its a VR6 most garages are scared of them as Craig said he has a head of mine that i flowed for him which i can fit for you if your intrested PM me and ill give you a price .... Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 PM sent Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 3 weeks after my spark plug incident I am back on the road, thank god!Replaced head, new cam chains, guides & tensioner, plugs, water pump, new clutch and a new air filter for good measure.Feels so much more responsive at lower revs, have not given it much past 5000 revs yet but its running so sweetly thus far.Thanks a lot to all that contributed to the thread and for the PMs. Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Glad your up and running again! Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Oil pump failure whilst on the motorway this weekend, all the fecking work I had done ruined.No warning on the dash, just hideous noises once it was too late. Happy days! Link to post Share on other sites
bungy 2 Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Totally gutted for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Split-Personality 0 Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Car has seen over 2k off me in the last 5 weeks.... words don't describe how f**t off I am! Link to post Share on other sites
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