mk3 engine dilemma

[sydVR6]

I think you're getting way ahead of yourself.

A small oil leak is nowhere near catastrophic enough to begin considering an engine swap over.

Getting whatever oil leaks you have fixed up and continuing to drive the car would be far quicker, cheaper and easier than beginning complicated, expensive to finish engine replacement.

Simply degrease the engine, trace the oil leaks and get them repaired. Easy.

Meantime, a little oil leak will not cause engine failure, so drive the car and top it up when needed. Just do what most people who drive old cars do - carry some oil with you and check your levels regularly. That will also give you an idea of how much the car is using.

Seriously not worth an engine swap! Transplants are huge jobs. If you were to go to all that time, effort and trouble of getting another engine in there, you'd want to make sure it was going in there to stay!

Stick with and enjoy the VR6 you have. The leak repairs will most likely just be a few hours work for a competent mechanic.
Engine swaps take weeks. Your job is never the only thing a busy mechanic has to do, and the multitude of parts always takes time to arrive.

Save your engine swap ideas for something really worthwhile and imaginative - like an R32 into your Mk3, or something : )

[Golf Houso]

I agree, its a MK3 anyway they're meant to leak oil !
Everything can be diagnosed, everything can be fixed, and its a car in the end not a person or pet a little leaking oil won't kill it

[Soundofav6]

So a Head gasket leak is easier, less labour and cheaper than a straight "bolt on engine swap" ?? keep in mind head gasket requires pulling the engine into pieces.

I always had in mind that engine sway would be more economical..

On few days ago under the 30'C sun.. taking a 20km drive, residue around the engine bay, probably oil which landed on the heat shield, it started to evaporate, I am worried it will catch fire.

[Golf Loon]

Louis, if its the headgasket, it is rearely leaking ouil outside the motor. More likely to be mixing oil and water inside the motor.

As it has affected the idle its probably coming out of the brether on the top of the engina and is leaking down the engine onto the floor.

Check the oil level and bring it down to me whenever you like and I will diagnose it for you if you want. I have parts, or you can go and fix it yourself.

Even if the engine was buggerd which I dont think it is, a VR6 would slot straight in and cost a lot less than a full conversion.

[Soundofav6]

Thanks Loon, exactly what need to know !

I will probably pop by next week.

[noom]

Hi sorry to hijack this thread, but I got 225K km on my VR6. Still going strong, but how much would a reconditioned one cost? Or a lower km one?

Thanks

[Bug_racer]

Louis, if its the headgasket, it is rearely leaking ouil outside the motor. More likely to be mixing oil and water inside the motor.

Ive found most VR6's leak oil from the headgasket just below where the fuel lines are , although nothing major , it is a weakness in the design . Most headgaskets Ive seen on Vag motors start misfiring as well , small at first the progressively worse

[Golf Loon]

I guess thats the difference between the optomist and the pessimist.

I`d check the possibilities that its a small thing and work up to the potential that it will need a new engine, whilst you assume the worst straight away.

Might reflect different pricing structures too ?

[Bug_racer]

I guess thats the difference between the optomist and the pessimist.

Could also be a realist and someone who hasn't had as much experience with the cars . Ive got 3 VR6's here at the shop with blown motors

I`d check the possibilities that its a small thing and work up to the potential that it will need a new engine, whilst you assume the worst straight away.

Better to be prepared for the worst me thinks dont you ?

Might reflect different pricing structures too ?

Maybe it might , I guess it could be also reflected in ability , experience and total parts changed !

[BL33SU]

get a SR20DET

[Golf Loon]

Ive got 3 VR6's here at the shop with blown motors

I have repaired all my stuff. I just have a VR6 for wrecking with a great motor.