Big End Knock

[VR6silver 0]

Has anyone here changed the big end shells? has it lasted or was it just a short fix (if at all).?

Just trying to work out if this is worth doing or just get hold of a second hand engine. Mine has only done 110k most of the second hand stuff i am finding is over 130k!!

[Justicevr6 0]

In general if the big ends are knocking you need to get the crank reground and a new set of shells to match and that is a long term fix,if you just replace the shells you might get 2 days with a quiet engine or even 2 years but 9 times out of ten as soon as the oil get hot they will knock again.

Problem with getting another engine you don't know how sound it is on the inside and could be unlucky enough to buy another one and it only lasts a year.If it were my pride and joy and finaces would allow I would rebuild the one you have and do the rings and seals at the same time.

[Eat this 2]

vrs with knackered bottom ends r rare mate

[VR6silver 0]

"vrs with knackered bottom ends r rare mate"

do you think it could be something else then? 109k Full service history. i thought that was rare too, but is a heavy knocking for a couple of seconds on start up then it idles ok, soon has you give it a rev it knocks. cant see what else it can be. sounds to heavy to be anything else ie chains, tensioners???

[shail 0]

My big ends went. Totalled the engine, ended up having to get it replaced - FVWSH & 84k on the clock-, but then i did wait AGES before i got the knock looked at. Mine was worse going round corners and quite bad on start up. I thought it may be chains, but chains tend to sound rattlly and a bit raspy, where as the big end is more of a loud slap/rattle.

When i got it replaced, i was told that getting a 2nd hand engine would be better than trying to repair a knocking one, but mine was beyond repair when he told me this.

Get it checked out by a VW independant, and from experience not a VW main dealer.

[FishWick 21]

Drop the sump.

Undo the bearing caps.

Examine the shells. If you can see copper, they're fecked.

Look for scoring on the journals. If you can see scoring, game over, regrind time.

No scoring....count yourself lucky and fit new shells.

Big end wear exhibits a loud rumbling noise at hot idle and when you rev the engine quickly it goes...B-BBBrrrrrrr insteat of rrrrrrr, if that makes sense LOL!

You will know when the BEs are knackered. Don't confuse cold start piston slap with knackered BEs.

[Bman 0]

Just to add to Kevhaywire, use a micrometer and check for ovality.

[kilokilla 0]

yes id suggest getting someone in the know to have a check on it before forking out loads on rebuild mate aswell.