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View Full Version : Could be time to sell up !



Spirit
07-08-2004, 11:39 PM
Recently had a few occassions where some puffs of blue tinted smoke have appeared on tick over. My local friends at AP have made an initial guess at possibly valve stems (same as you Andy).

Funnily enough, the owners son has also told me he wants to buy the car and has offered a reasonable price. And he is even happy to buy it if the engine goes bang, as he would rebuild it stronger from scratch but of course pay me a lot less for the car.

Maybe it's time to sell up while I have a reasonable offer for her ?

The Vee
07-08-2004, 11:49 PM
Would be sadly missed - even my wife likes the look of that car. Now that is praise indeed - bless her !!
More importantly though, would you replace with another VR4 or somtin' else

Spirit
07-08-2004, 11:53 PM
If I did take the leap and sell her I doubt it would be for another VR4 - to be honest I don't think I would feel the same about another one and finances currently would not allow what I would like - an R34 GTR :$

Gonna wait and see what happens on track Monday and car is booked in with AP for next Friday to replace discs and pads and do a bit more investigating - they mentioned a compression test.

The Vee
08-08-2004, 12:02 AM
compression test will check for worn piston rings/bores and badly seating or burnt valves. will be interested to hear results - keep me posted.

Spirit
08-08-2004, 12:05 AM
The reckoned it's not the piston rings as they revved the engine to approx 3k and held it there, they said that after a minute or so the smoke would be getting worse if it was piston rings but there was none

The Vee
08-08-2004, 12:16 AM
Yep I'd go along with that. My initial guess from what I saw would still be valve stem seals but it's like everything else - can't be certain till you start proper testing and pulling apart if necassary.

KiwiTT
08-08-2004, 01:13 AM
Do you think any of the "Mods" you have done affected the engine reliability ?

Spirit
08-08-2004, 11:59 AM
I don't think so Richard, and to be honest she still sounds and drives as sweet as ever. Just normal wear and tear I reckon.

Kieran
08-08-2004, 12:51 PM
Stem seals aren't really that serious, are they? The CVH engine in my old escort was notorious for them leaking.... Mind you, I suppose that it's not as straightforward on the VR-4?...

My honest, unedited opinion is that after spending all that cash on it, you'd be crazy to sell up because your stem seals are leaking. I'd get 'em fixed. As Alex always warns me, you could be jumping from the frying pan into the fire if you get another car....

The Vee
08-08-2004, 01:11 PM
Stem seals aren't really that serious, are they? The CVH engine in my old escort was notorious for them leaking.... Mind you, I suppose that it's not as straightforward on the VR-4?...

My honest, unedited opinion is that after spending all that cash on it, you'd be crazy to sell up because your stem seals are leaking. I'd get 'em fixed. As Alex always warns me, you could be jumping from the frying pan into the fire if you get another car....


Seconded

Nick VR4
08-08-2004, 01:15 PM
its horses for courses really ...
Whats the price to fix it and does it need it untill it gets really bad ?

Roadrunner
08-08-2004, 01:21 PM
Getting the valve stem oil seals fixed will be a whole lot cheaper than buying another car! One of the head gaskets went on my car recently and I had the valve stem oil seals replaced at the same time as the gaskets. With everything cleaned, the "ticking" from the lash adjusters has disappeared too! OK, not a cheap repair with 24 hours labour :eek: but, as I've said, less expensive than buying another car.

Brian

The Vee
08-08-2004, 01:24 PM
Burning a little oil is in itself not really much to worry about. However over a period of time it will lead to extra carbon depsits in the engine and these turbo models do run a little hotter. the cat won't appreciate it too much either but that may not be an issue :-D . Don't know on a 6a13 whether seals can be done with heads still in place. Some engines you can. If it is heads off then unfortunately it is quite labour intensive, but a good opportunity to "have a look inside". But this is all supposition at the moment, let's wait and see what the tests reveal.
Andy

Nick Mann
09-08-2004, 09:56 AM
My honest, unedited opinion is that after spending all that cash on it, you'd be crazy to sell up because your stem seals are leaking. I'd get 'em fixed.

I agree.

Sorry to hear you've got trouble, Pete, but it may not be a large bill. If you can't afford anything you'd prefer then the only reason to change the car is to save money. Hopefully it is a small problem and you will not even have to think of selling up.

enigma
09-08-2004, 01:06 PM
Does Shaz know you are going to sell her car?

Kieran
09-08-2004, 05:11 PM
Does Shaz know you are going to sell her car?

:lolz: Ehehehhe! I can hear the "WHAT?!?!?!" from here! :laugh:

Brind
09-08-2004, 05:43 PM
We noticed the smoke at castle combe too, remember me mentioning it?

It was only when you let off that it was smoking, is it doing it all the time now??
I guess removing the cat makes it more apparent as there is nothing to really restrict the gas flow.
I agree with others, get it fixed as the time and effort spent on the car will be waste over something that isn't a 'huge' problem.

Skyline, Kieran grab the firewood! I'll get the matches!!! :laugh:

Kieran
09-08-2004, 07:52 PM
Skyline, Kieran grab the firewood! I'll get the matches!!! :laugh:

....Hmmm...... R33 GTS-T.... Mmmmm.... :lipsrseal :lipsrseal Oh, err! What?! Sorry Brind!:$ Err yeah! Firewood! Yeah, I'll err, get right on it, the evil witch him!:$ :uhoh2:

nick-f1
09-08-2004, 08:26 PM
We noticed the smoke at castle combe too, remember me mentioning it?:

At Dartmeet Pete's car only smoked after prolonged idling and I did not notice it at all whilst driving around, so I'd agree its most likely valve guides and no great problem. Dont sell it Pete!!!!!!!

Brind
09-08-2004, 08:36 PM
....Hmmm...... R33 GTS-T.... Mmmmm.... :lipsrseal :lipsrseal Oh, err! What?! Sorry Brind!:$ Err yeah! Firewood! Yeah, I'll err, get right on it, the evil witch him!:$ :uhoh2:

Getting worried about you mate... before, even the slightest derogatory remark would send you into a witch hunting fit.

KiwiTT
09-08-2004, 10:27 PM
IMHO: I would rather repair a VR-4 then buy a Skyline.

The Skyline is a little to common here in NZ and there are so many wannibies (i.e. GTS-T's), who think they have a GTR.

I'll stick with my VR-4, hide in the anonimity{sic} and then pounce, when the opportunity presents itself.

Brind
09-08-2004, 10:58 PM
Having driven a 2door car it gets VERY impractical at times, so unless you have a backup car for when ever you need it, it'll be okay.

Spirit
09-08-2004, 11:21 PM
Must admit the Skylines at Combe today were not able to leave us behind at all, and that included one that runs around 380bhp and one at 450+bhp, go VR4 :-D

I was asked the question about what the replacement would be (by Shaz), and that was that.....lol, guess we will be keeping her a bit longer :laugh:

Spirit
10-08-2004, 12:16 AM
Thanks for all the comments guys and you are probably right that it makes sense to sort out the problem rather than sell it and by a whole new set of potential problems.

Being at Combe today did assist in keeping the temptation to sell quashed, it was fabulous fun and we kicked some serious butt out there - and the 4 wheel drift action in the wet was superb. Need to get the brakes and tyres replaced as a matter of urgency, so guess any repairs are gonna have to wait for a bit anyhow.