Arnage red label 6.75l head gasket...a certain problem?
Discussion
having had for a year and then sold a Green label. I am tempted to get a Red Label 2000-2004.
but this time keep it for several years.
I have done my research and know that the RL suffered from head gasket issues.
so I ask: if the car has not had an issue so far is there a very high certainty that I should be prepared for it to give me an issue under my ownership.
I know that upkeep of these cars is not cheap, but I would be unhappy to spend £10000+ for this job.
cheers raj
but this time keep it for several years.
I have done my research and know that the RL suffered from head gasket issues.
so I ask: if the car has not had an issue so far is there a very high certainty that I should be prepared for it to give me an issue under my ownership.
I know that upkeep of these cars is not cheap, but I would be unhappy to spend £10000+ for this job.
cheers raj
The Arnage Red Label was only available between 1999 to 2002 before it was replaced by the Arnage R and the T, if the car you buy hasn't had the head gaskets replaced then it's almost certain that it will do at some time but it won't cost anywhere near £10000, a decent specialist should get the job done for the right side of £4000, still a significant sum though. You could alternatively look for an R or T which don't have the head gasket problem but do have other things that you may need to worry about.
Mine went at 35000 miles, and did cost me about £10k at an independent (dealer quoted twice that and said it was an engine out job). The parts are expensive. What parts? Not just the gaskets but there are a lot of clips, hoses and other bits and pieces that have to come off to do the job and need replacing with new. I'm sure it can be done more cheaply, but be confident in who is doing it!
The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
spyker138 said:
Mine went at 35000 miles, and did cost me about £10k at an independent (dealer quoted twice that and said it was an engine out job). The parts are expensive. What parts? Not just the gaskets but there are a lot of clips, hoses and other bits and pieces that have to come off to do the job and need replacing with new. I'm sure it can be done more cheaply, but be confident in who is doing it!
The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
It does apparently affect Continental R / T - my car is a 1996, but no issue with head gaskets (54,000 miles), unless some previous owner attended to it and it's not been recorded.The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
spyker138 said:
Mine went at 35000 miles, and did cost me about £10k at an independent (dealer quoted twice that and said it was an engine out job). The parts are expensive. What parts? Not just the gaskets but there are a lot of clips, hoses and other bits and pieces that have to come off to do the job and need replacing with new. I'm sure it can be done more cheaply, but be confident in who is doing it!
The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
£10000!! sorry but you were mugged, the parts are no more than £1000 and it takes 4/5 days say 40hrs at £100, so £5000 and you should get someone who wants the work to do you a deal if you're not in a rush.The question I have is does this affect the Continental R/T's of the same period and seemingly similar single turbo and tune (380-400 bhp)? I'd like to get a Continental T at some point but obviously don't want to swap an Arnage I've paid to fix only to end up with the same problem with the Continental R/T.
Yes it does effect the the 2 door cars, it wasn't until the twin turbo cars were introduced that the issue was sorted.
This is an interesting topic that seems to be cropping up more in recent years. The following link might make interesting reading:
http://robisonservice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/blown...
There seem to be various schools of thought as to likely-to-be-affected engines; various suggestions include all turbos, all efi turbos (as opposed to carb), turbos made after Cosworth took over production, all engines manufactured by Cosworth etc etc..
Reported issues with Arnage R and T, up to my2007, are a different issue.
I just wish I knew the actual facts
http://robisonservice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/blown...
There seem to be various schools of thought as to likely-to-be-affected engines; various suggestions include all turbos, all efi turbos (as opposed to carb), turbos made after Cosworth took over production, all engines manufactured by Cosworth etc etc..
Reported issues with Arnage R and T, up to my2007, are a different issue.
I just wish I knew the actual facts
I think, in order to reduce damage to a minimum - if ever there is a gasket failure - there are two options,
- always keep a very close eye on temperature and check regularaly if it's possible to see any of the early signs, as mentioned in the article in the link (such as coolant weeping through the head studs)
- or......do a precautionary gasket change. Quite an expense as an insurance policy, but probably cheaper than doing it if it blows
Will I do a precautionary change?...probably not, I'll just take the risk and keep an eye on it.
- always keep a very close eye on temperature and check regularaly if it's possible to see any of the early signs, as mentioned in the article in the link (such as coolant weeping through the head studs)
- or......do a precautionary gasket change. Quite an expense as an insurance policy, but probably cheaper than doing it if it blows
Will I do a precautionary change?...probably not, I'll just take the risk and keep an eye on it.
Ok rechecked the invoice. The overall bill was $16000 (yes $) but I forgot other stuff I had done at the same time that included rechroming the wheels, all new brakes (rotors and pads), new tyres and a few other things. Sorry. The Head Gaskets work was $6825 for the labour and $1200 ish for the parts (inc plugs).
So in GBP about £5000.
Mine is 2001 Red Label. Those who deal with them over here (NY, USA) say it is the single turbo models that had a problem - factory torque settings on heads insufficient and apparently the turbo heat on one side has an effect. It did on mine!
So in GBP about £5000.
Mine is 2001 Red Label. Those who deal with them over here (NY, USA) say it is the single turbo models that had a problem - factory torque settings on heads insufficient and apparently the turbo heat on one side has an effect. It did on mine!
Edited by spyker138 on Friday 16th December 17:35
For less than £100 you can buy a sniffer tester to check for impending head gasket failure, easy to use and takes ten minutes at the most.
No help if a gasket does fail but spotting hgf before it becomes critical should cut the cost of repair significantly and reduce the risk of having to trailer a steaming non runner back to base.
No help if a gasket does fail but spotting hgf before it becomes critical should cut the cost of repair significantly and reduce the risk of having to trailer a steaming non runner back to base.
kev b said:
For less than £100 you can buy a sniffer tester to check for impending head gasket failure, easy to use and takes ten minutes at the most.
No help if a gasket does fail but spotting hgf before it becomes critical should cut the cost of repair significantly and reduce the risk of having to trailer a steaming non runner back to base.
great idea re. sniffer test.No help if a gasket does fail but spotting hgf before it becomes critical should cut the cost of repair significantly and reduce the risk of having to trailer a steaming non runner back to base.
and looking like the costs are averaging about 5000 pounds for hg repair
at least going to look at future purchases armed wit this knowledge.
jeyjey said:
I like Matt5791's idea. If it's going to happen sometime anyway, and you only have to fix it the once, then why not just get it over with? The cars are priced factoring in most of the cost anyway.
Cheers,
Jeff.
Looks like the decision has been taken for me as to whether to change it or not......Just blown it earlier today on the M6.Cheers,
Jeff.
Fortunately I realised and left the motorway and pulled up before the temperature had risen. Hopefully, not too much damage done.
In a way, I'm glad because it could have happened at a much more inconvenient moment!
matt5791 said:
jeyjey said:
I like Matt5791's idea. If it's going to happen sometime anyway, and you only have to fix it the once, then why not just get it over with? The cars are priced factoring in most of the cost anyway.
Cheers,
Jeff.
Looks like the decision has been taken for me as to whether to change it or not......Just blown it earlier today on the M6.Cheers,
Jeff.
Fortunately I realised and left the motorway and pulled up before the temperature had risen. Hopefully, not too much damage done.
In a way, I'm glad because it could have happened at a much more inconvenient moment!
550Anniv said:
Bentley Cheltenham quoted £4500 plus vat on someone's car I know.
Interesting. I think the cost will very much depend on what else is done at the same time. Inevitably, there will be other things, on a 20 year old car, that will crop up.I'll report back on all the costs as and when they happen
matt, thanks for keeping us updated, and hopefully will shed light on what to do then this issue needs to be tackled including aspects such as what to replace, upgrade( if needed)etc while the job is being done.
would be great to follow a journey from the start on the correction of a failed HG.
cheers raj
would be great to follow a journey from the start on the correction of a failed HG.
cheers raj
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