341 replies to this topic

[Nev]

ok...

Stuey took his car to be serviced by a professional garage whom he trusted - and they proclaimed to be - VX specialists who subsequently wrecked his engine and have since denied all responsibility leaving him with a potentially four figure sum for repair.

I'd reckon that was a 'bigger problem' than a slipping clutch.

Thats becuase u dont know whats involved. A head change (which Stuwey's car needs) is easier than taking an engine + box out + possible other work (which my car needs). Also the costs for me will likely be far more

[MrSimba]

Nev... your chasing a gazzillion BHP your car is a project, development car thats pushing the limits of whats achievable, your engine is a unique, one off and there were always going to be issues along the way, this clutch slip being one of them I assume, I really hope you get it sorted quickly and at minimal cost both financial and time. BUT... Its not the same as taking a 'standard' car to a specialist and asking for a oil / filter & plug change & to be handed back a scrap engine and told to f off!

[Seb.F]

For someone that doesn't have a clue about how to fix a problem like that, regardless of how complex it is, he's still going to have to pay someone to help him, pay someone for the parts required, the VX is his only car, he can't afford to have it off road, but is also looking at a lot to fix it. He's quite young in comparison to you so 'borrowing' money to fix it is not quite as easy, I can imagine (in relative terms - the costs to him will be quite a bit more than to you). You're talking about your own little side project with a tuned car at 500bhp, he has a standard engine and had saved up ages to buy his NA. His problem is much bigger.

[Nev]

I do sympathise with his situation, and I guess you are partly right about his financial situation. I also agree with some of the other posts, that it's not a clear cut case theat the garage overtightened the new plugs in to cause th crack. It may well have cracked due to taking the old ones out (which had been over tightened by the previous garage). It's impossible to tell. Personally I'd say it should be a 50%/50% split in responsability/costs between the owner and the garage. Ultimately, as Sutol has indicated DIY and knowledge is the best way to reduce these issues.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

Partridge, I do appreciate all advice I am given and I thank you all for your help so far I dont know better then the experts and thats why I started this thread in the first place beucae i was getting a lot of steam and i did not know why. My financial situation is this. I am 23 years old, when i bought the VX i was 22, I have a house, I am getting married next year. I was very lucky, the market and interst rate crash happened exactly when I had some money. I spent 234 pounds on getting the VX serviced (that i save up for) i spent my whole life saving and never spend more then i can afford. Everybody has problems and Nev i respect you are having problems with your car at the moment, i am in dept to you all and if i can ever help with anything i'll be first on the list. I would be happy with a 50/50 resalution and gave them that option, they told me No.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

We all have issues from time to time and some are more equipped to deal with things than others. I feel your pain Nev having done three gearboxes in and out in two days just before I was setting off for Le Mans as well as having to fit, refit then remove uprated brakes but that is what we get when modding. Stu, This is getting to the stage where I would put it down to experience, pursue the garage for a refund for the service (not for the damage done, more for the work not done) and get it fixed via your friends on .org. Next time, service yourself or get somebody on here to do it. (just not me as I don't do plug removal for the same reason Slindy quotes).

[vocky]

How about a list of what is the minimal amount required to fix it head - £? head bolts - £20 head gasket - £45 Then a list of people who will help for free Rear clam removal and refitting - ? Swap head - vocky General help - ? Make the tea etc - ? Location (suitable place to do the work) - ?

Edited by vocky, 28 September 2011 - 11:24 AM.

[Seb.F]

I'm up for helping obviously. Don't mind how, though I have no dremel for annoying clam bolts

[Winstar]

The z22se head always cracks right at the bottom of the spark plug hole (usually number four plug hole as thats got very thin casting).

To weld aluminium requires the surfaces to be spotless.

What I really would like to know is;

A - how the feck they could access a crack at the bottom of a 100mm deep, 40mm diameter hole to clean it

B - how the feck a welder could get a tig welder into the same hole and weld up the crack to stop it ever leaking again

IT'S FOOKED

I would never consider welding a modern head, as the deigns are too marginal you may seal the leak but the HAZ and disimilar metal will cause a failure at a later date.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

How about a list of what is the minimal amount required to fix it

head - £150 (aleady got)
head bolts,
head gasket,
timing chain.. ect ect (already ordered) and will have on friday. Aston Vauxhall

rebuild of Mike's head (yes i paid mike for head ) Had an unbelivable offer from Lps

Then a list of people who will help for free

Rear clam removal and refitting - ?
Swap head - vocky
General help - ?
Make the tea etc - Joey
Location (suitable place to do the work) - Boombang

Thank you for the offer, i have had some amazing offers from members and deals on parts. I have added to your post, I think i have/will have everthing i need (got paid today and raided savings/CC) to get her back on the road.

You guys are epic

[rob999]

Then a list of people who will help for free Rear clam removal and refitting - ? Swap head - vocky General help - ? Make the tea etc - Bobby Location (suitable place to do the work) - ?

Edited by rob999, 28 September 2011 - 12:20 PM.

[Boombang]

Seeing as I (read that as my parents) are hosting this, would appreciate a list of who is coming and if possible keep it to as small a number as possible. Have been storing all my tools and parts there for years, and will be building my new race car there, so want to minimise the impact of this on them.

[2deano5]

Seeing as I (read that as my parents) are hosting this, would appreciate a list of who is coming and if possible keep it to as small a number as possible.

Have been storing all my tools and parts there for years, and will be building my new race car there, so want to minimise the impact of this on them.

I quite willing to help clam removal and general help but do we have a date for this? Also I would not want to be seen as getting in anyone's way

Deano

[Boombang]

Sure you wouldn't mate, but realistically can only get 4 or 5 people there max. I can cycle/walk over if the weather is good.

[Lps]

Pencil me in to help BB (date dependant obviously) if needed. Handy enough with a hammer spanner when need be

[Lps]

If that were my head it would be either fixed with a quick seam weld along the crack

Bloody armchair mechanics.

Bloody armchair Cowboy you mean Nev!!

Weld it up!?

Remind me to get you a Stetson for Crimbo lol!

[The Batman]

Honestly mate, you need to be a bit more proactive rather than just whingeing on a forum, which wont fix anything.

sounds like when you continuously whinged when waiting for a clutch

Thats becuase u dont know whats involved. A head change (which Stuwey's car needs) is easier than taking an engine + box out + possible other work (which my car needs). Also the costs for me will likely be far more

you just have a slipping clutch though? so pax side suspension removal and then box out, you make your life too hard if you are removing the engine and box to remove a clutch. unless your clutch is no longer the problem as i havent read your recent posts. much easier for a home mechanic to do than replace a head imo as there is nothing to time up etc.

but anyway none of this is helping stuwy so who cares....

[Boombang]

Rear clam removal - Deano Rear clam refitting - Swap head - vocky General help - ? Make the tea etc - Bobby Location (suitable place to do the work) - Mummy and Daddy Boombang's Provisional plan is: Get car over to me 15th October. If I am not working, can spend a day on it then, but is likely I'll need to work all weekend. If get a chance may do a few bits between then and November 15th, but I'm on my stag do then having 4 wisdom teeth out. 12th/13th November - get it all apart on Sat, do as much as possible, get it back together on Sunday 19th Nov - finish if we need it (then karting, then well earned beer). Any specific or unusual tools we need?

Edited by Boombang, 28 September 2011 - 06:34 PM.

[vocky]

sunday 13th November is good for me I could do the saturday but only if the clam is already off

[rob999]

I'm on a dayshift on the 13th, so at the moment I'm out If there's another day you need a pair of hands let me know...