The Most Expensive Exhaust MG Change in The West?
Discussion
The Chim's at Austec this week to have its precats out, it's exhaust manifold gaskets replacing (it was starting to do Massey Ferguson impressions) and an MOT.
I've just had a call to say that a bolt has sheared somewhere along the line (not due to anything done by Austec), and due to the fact it's right at the back of the engine block, the head has to come off in order to allow access:(
So that's another 8 hours labour on top of what I was expecting, which will bring the total somewhere around £800.
I wouldn't have the car anywhere but Austec. They're a great bunch and there's no question that they're doing what they have to do to get the car sorted as quickly and as well as possible. However, I'm feeling a little queezy at the news and wanted to share...
I've just had a call to say that a bolt has sheared somewhere along the line (not due to anything done by Austec), and due to the fact it's right at the back of the engine block, the head has to come off in order to allow access:(
So that's another 8 hours labour on top of what I was expecting, which will bring the total somewhere around £800.
I wouldn't have the car anywhere but Austec. They're a great bunch and there's no question that they're doing what they have to do to get the car sorted as quickly and as well as possible. However, I'm feeling a little queezy at the news and wanted to share...
manifold bolts shearing in the head isnt uncommon and it always seems to be the ones you cant get at...
still at least its a chance to change the head gaskets and have a quick look at the cam to make sure it looks ok...
On my tuscan racer its an engine out job to even undo the manifold bolts
Thanks Graham, that makes me feel a bit better. I'm trying to think of all the positives (can't wait to hear it once the precats are out), and your post was helpful.
I guess these things happen, and the car will no doubt gives me more than £800-worth of driving pleasure on the way home from Austec alone
I guess these things happen, and the car will no doubt gives me more than £800-worth of driving pleasure on the way home from Austec alone
nztrev said:
Graham,out of interest,do/did you have control rules not allowing holes and acsess panels to get to the hard to reach parts?
Access panels are fine, the trouble with the tuscan is the chassis !!! every where you want to put a hand,spanner, ancillary there is a chassis rail in the way.
the only way to get the headers on is to bolt them to the engine whilst its out of the car
once in the bolts are impossible to get at!!!Nuggs said:
(can't wait to hear it once the precats are out)
Erm, not wanting to spoil your enjoyment but removing the pre-cats won't make a lot of difference to the sound. I had my std manifolds replaced earlier this year with ACT stainless non pre-cat and there is very little difference in the sound. If you want a real change I'd suggest adding another £140ish to your bill and getting Austec to carry out the rear box conversion..
Painey said:
Nuggs said:
(can't wait to hear it once the precats are out)
...I'd suggest adding another £140ish to your bill and getting Austec to carry out the rear box conversion..
Think he'll be along in a minute to say he's already had this done!!!
OK, In that case I'll be off now....
Painey said:
Think he'll be along in a minute to say he's already had this done!!!
First thing I had done after buying the car. I'm not sure how much difference having the precats out will make, although Derekg500's Griff sounds fanbloodytastic. It also released a new fat band of torque* for Derek (I know that it's probably rare for this to happen, but I live in hope).
Seeing as I had to get the EMGs sorted, having the precats out at the same time is a good idea.
Oh and Zippee, next time you buy some chips, can I p!ss over them please?
*I know, I know, IIRC it rather surprised the guys at Austec as well
paulu said:
you let Austec work on your car?
Are you Mad?
Errr... no. They've always been fantastic (and I know a number of other Austec 'regulars' that would confirm this).
As well as very high quality work, they've also sorted a number of minor problems free of charge, and always been able to fit me in on a 'while-you-wait' service.
In short, they've been very, very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone else
Apparently the bolt was cross-threaded sometime in the past (factory?). Anyway, the head's off and apparently the little boogar is wedged so tight that it can't be drilled out.
The head's being sent to a specialist who's going to spank the bolt out with some sort of mahoosive spark.
Doesn't add much to the cost but does mean that it's unlikely that the car will be back by the w/e
The head's being sent to a specialist who's going to spank the bolt out with some sort of mahoosive spark.
Doesn't add much to the cost but does mean that it's unlikely that the car will be back by the w/e
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