potential repair costs?

[QuiteQuietCerb]

Hi my cerb just died on me the other day, thought it was a minor problem as engine was turning over, and i didnt hear any bangs or other noises form the engine. Took it to racing green cars and was just told that the timing chain is not turning the camshafts.

So the engine will need opening to investigate further, and valves and pistons may need replacing.

Has this happened to anyone else? also does anyone know what the cost would be to replace chain, valves and pistons?

Edited by QuiteQuietCerb on Wednesday 3rd October 09:58

[Steve_T]

What you're asking for is a good percentage of the work of a full engine rebuild and it would have similar costs. I'm not sure if you can get away with only a top end rebuild, if there's no piston damage. However things end up you're looking at expensive parts and a large chunk of labour. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Steve.

[touching cloth]

Sounds like it will get expensive, get some quotes from different peeps before just proceeding. Would wager a decent indie like APM will come in at a lot less than Racing Green.

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i think so too, i will give them a call

[RUSSELLM]

Power had a load of spare AJP parts.

I'd imagine, you'd be looking around the £3.5K mark.

[Malx]

Yikes, i know exactly how you feel.
I was quoted about £4500 for a full rebuild including uprated pistons and valves after my chain snapped on day one of ownership.
Automedon are doing the work at the moment so whether the bill goes up (or down) i ain't sure.

Hope it all works out.

[longbow]

Isn't there a 4.2 engine on ebay at the moment - full working condition and start price of £1250 or something?

[kojak]

longbow said:

Isn't there a 4.2 engine on ebay at the moment - full working condition and start price of £1250 or something?

I saw this. Not sure whether i'd go down this route though, unless I knew more about where it came from regarding the condition.

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i d rather stick a rover v8 or corvette lump in it than a 4.2 to be honest.

Malx when your chain went did you hear a n]bang or anything? also are you having to replace pistons?

[Malx]

QuiteQuietCerb said:

i d rather stick a rover v8 or corvette lump in it than a 4.2 to be honest.

Malx when your chain went did you hear a n]bang or anything? also are you having to replace pistons?

Yep, there was a bit of a bang and the car jumped then the dash lit up. On inspecting teh engine bay there was a huge hole in the chain cover. The cover breaking may have been the noise.
I am told it is because one of the previous overs removed a washer from the chain tensior to make it tighter

I think half of the pistons were mangled and the valves went too so had to be replaced.

If the chain hasn't snapped you might be ok but i guess you'll have to open it up to find out. If i were you i'd call a few garages and ask for a rough quote. All the ones i called would offer something differant.

Good luck,

[QuiteQuietCerb]

yes thats what im getting too mate, wildly different prices. The thing is who you can trust to be reasonable ijn price but also do the job properly

[touching cloth]

APM

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i know they come higly recommended. I tried to contact them many times but no one is picking up the phone though. Any idea on their labour prices?

[touching cloth]

Which number are you calling, the landline on his website I think actually is his home, mobile is always the easiest as you will get him at work on that. He could be away at the mo for all I know though, I have not needed to speak to him of late (touch wood).

[QuiteQuietCerb]

oh i see, well i will leave a msg for him on his home number, hopefully i ll get a response.

thanks

[big_treacle]

My engine has worn valve guides (anyone had this?) & an oil leak out of the front of the engine. Apparently will need the engine out to repair. As my car is now on 50k+ its probably wise to get the thing rebuilt as far as makes sense. Anyway, APM reckoned to budget 4500 for a rebuild, though it might be less (or more ). I would guess you'll be looking at similar? Haven't booked it in yet, I'm saving up...

Edited by big_treacle on Wednesday 3rd October 16:20

[QuiteQuietCerb]

Hi, just spoke to Andy, the price is similar lets hope it stays that way. Got it booked in for Monday.

Thanks for you input guys

[RUSSELLM]

big_treacle said:

My engine has worn valve guides (anyone had this?) & an oil leak out of the front of the engine.

Apparently the oil consumption on my 4.2 is most likely down to the valve guides.

When you say oil leak at the front... Does it throw out one drop every time you park ? If so, I've had my engine out twice to sort that.

I've read it on here before "one drop is seepage, more than that is a leak"..."we don't fix seeps"

[big_treacle]

RUSSELLM said:

big_treacle said:

My engine has worn valve guides (anyone had this?) & an oil leak out of the front of the engine.

Apparently the oil consumption on my 4.2 is most likely down to the valve guides.

When you say oil leak at the front... Does it throw out one drop every time you park ? If so, I've had my engine out twice to sort that.

I've read it on here before "one drop is seepage, more than that is a leak"..."we don't fix seeps"

I don't think the oil leak is too bad - probably more a seep. But the valve guides mean my plugs are getting oily which might be why my car seems to run rubbish right now.

[julian64]

QuiteQuietCerb said:

i d rather stick a rover v8 or corvette lump in it than a 4.2 to be honest.

Malx when your chain went did you hear a n]bang or anything? also are you having to replace pistons?

Unfortunately, I can't see a way where you haven't damaged your pistons/valves.

As far as I could see on my engine, there wasn't a way the camshaft could be that wouldn't be sticking at least one valve in the path of an upcomming piston.