MK3 Golf VR

[S3_Graham]

Im looking to buy one of these, Its on 140k on original Timing chain, Doesnt really bother me as i would be looking to change it,

My question is, how much would I be looking at to do this?? I was talking to a mate that has a corrado VR and he seemed to think it was an engine out job and north of £500.

Thanks

[ingham]

sounds about right , i do know a garage that may do it cheaper , make sure the garage that does it, have done a vr6 before as they are a unusual engine (easy to work on if you are used to them)
have you been on vr6owners club website?

[ingham]

its a gear box off job , its not the chains them selfs but the tensioners and guides that wear.

look for one that's had handling sorted, as standard they are poor

[HiAsAKite]

As mentioned, its the tensioner that goes rather than the chains per se, but the chains should probably replaced at the same time.

To do the job, its a gearbox off affair, so its probably worth changing the clutch at the same time as much of the labour is duplicat..

£500 is probably a bit optimistic (unless labour rates have dropped recently)- I would budget £800 for the above (inc new clutch)- but bear in mind it may not need new chains yet...it varies alot (you should hear a rattle at idle when they need doing), I believe some cars have needed them after 80K miles, others are still on the originals at 200K.. mine had them done at 125K.

[aka_kerrly]

Yo,

Get over to the VR6 owners club (vr6oc.com) and ask around. There are a few very helpful members who will do your chains and your clutch for circa £500ish and there are plenty of recommended garages. It is definately worth getting the clutch done and perhaps a lightened flywheel would also be a very nice addition and really liven the car up.

Garages can charge £600+ for the work as it does involve removing the gearbox in order to access the bottom chain tensioner.

Dave

[S3_Graham]

aka_kerrly said:

Yo,

Get over to the VR6 owners club (vr6oc.com) and ask around. There are a few very helpful members who will do your chains and your clutch for circa £500ish and there are plenty of recommended garages. It is definately worth getting the clutch done and perhaps a lightened flywheel would also be a very nice addition and really liven the car up.

Garages can charge £600+ for the work as it does involve removing the gearbox in order to access the bottom chain tensioner.

Dave

Had a quick peep on VR6oc. i've gone and bought it now but sadly on the drive home one of the oil pressure switches started leaking, its been sat 7months so i guess its to be expected. Only problem is that now the AA broke the crack pipe getting at the switch. bought all the bits for £87.. not that bad. got the car cheap!

[aka_kerrly]

Yes i read about your incident with the recovery company making a new modification to your car... that is very annoying. Worst i have ever suffered was one guy ruining my splitter when i had asked if i could remove it and he assured me it wouldnt be a issue

Il be honest i thought the pipe could have cost more than that!

At least then with that pipe changed, a flushed coolant system, presumably a oil change now that you have lost a fair bit the engine should appreciate the extra TLC it is getting.

Overall are you happy with the VR6 so far?

dave