Anyone restored a VR6 on this forum? Need help

[Bug_racer]

Did he do a compression test on the engine ?

[RedColourConcept]

Nope. he didnt

[patmould93]

Thankyou. Your information is really helpful.
The car runs and drives but the engine doesn't sound healthy.The previous owner removed the entire air conditioning system because it was leaking :S . I was quoted 2k from pedders suspension to fix the suspension. We are not sure about lowering the suspension yet. We have HEAPS of speed bumps in our area.

LOL 2k for suspension! That's a total joke. You can buy budget coilovers shipped to your door for under 500 bucks for an entire set which still handle much better than OEM, let alone a more advanced set. The good thing about coilovers is that they're adjustable so if you have a lot of nasty speed bumps in your area, you can just bump it up a little. My current ride height is still really low and doesn't scrape on speed bumps, just be a little careful.

As for the engine problems, it's hard to pinpoint so I'd suggest either taking it to a specialist/a trusted mechanic to give you an idea with what's wrong and you might be able to go from there to see if you want to fix it up yourself or get them to do it. It might just need a general service and a few bits and pieces.

As for aircon, I wouldn't worry too much about that for now, just put the windows down

Try not to get too disheartened, every car has their issues, mine needed a fair bit of work when I bought it and I still need to fix it up from time to time, but VR6s are great cars, fun to drive and they look great. Plus the ladies will like your beautiful red leather seats

[Hakan]

I suggest that you do a Major Service on the engine .
Spark Plugs
Leads
Check coilpack for cracks since they are very common to fail on vr6s. (also you would see sparks when the engine is running at night.)
Engine oil
Oil filter
check oil pressure ( this gives you allot of information on the condition of you engine if you know how to read it )
CHECK COMPRESSION / DRY AND WET TEST
fuel filter
check airflow meter for dirtyness or unplug it while its running your engine should stall.
air filter
also open your oil cap and look inside with a bright torch to see if its clean or sludged .
and check if your pcv valve is blocked
not sure if ive left anything out but at least you've cross out the service part of your inspection once it all done.
I hope this helps and fixes your engine problems
If not we need more detailed information

[RedColourConcept]

Before I owned the VR6, I had an old rusty Jaguar The car doesn't just need new springs, It needs everything, like springs, cv joints everything. Im taking it to a VW specialist in Camden in a couple of weeks time because Im not that happy with the mobile mechanics evaluation. I was told it wasn't worth repairing, but i've driven it numerous times and I'm definatelty keeping it. Cant imagine not owning a vr6 :O Thanks for the reply

LOL 2k for suspension! That's a total joke. You can buy budget coilovers shipped to your door for under 500 bucks for an entire set which still handle much better than OEM, let alone a more advanced set. The good thing about coilovers is that they're adjustable so if you have a lot of nasty speed bumps in your area, you can just bump it up a little. My current ride height is still really low and doesn't scrape on speed bumps, just be a little careful.

As for the engine problems, it's hard to pinpoint so I'd suggest either taking it to a specialist/a trusted mechanic to give you an idea with what's wrong and you might be able to go from there to see if you want to fix it up yourself or get them to do it. It might just need a general service and a few bits and pieces.

As for aircon, I wouldn't worry too much about that for now, just put the windows down

Try not to get too disheartened, every car has their issues, mine needed a fair bit of work when I bought it and I still need to fix it up from time to time, but VR6s are great cars, fun to drive and they look great. Plus the ladies will like your beautiful red leather seats

[RedColourConcept]

Thanks for the help. Engine is in bad condition. The oil isnt clean, all sludge. Taking it into specialist in 3 or so weeks time . The car ran out of rego 4 weeks ago, what do you think is the best way for me to get it there (1 hour journey). Sorry I've never done it before.. I'll ring my father who is overseas to send me a copy of the mobile mechanics report.

I suggest that you do a Major Service on the engine .
Spark Plugs
Leads
Check coilpack for cracks since they are very common to fail on vr6s. (also you would see sparks when the engine is running at night.)
Engine oil
Oil filter
check oil pressure ( this gives you allot of information on the condition of you engine if you know how to read it )
CHECK COMPRESSION / DRY AND WET TEST
fuel filter
check airflow meter for dirtyness or unplug it while its running your engine should stall.
air filter
also open your oil cap and look inside with a bright torch to see if its clean or sludged .
and check if your pcv valve is blocked
not sure if ive left anything out but at least you've cross out the service part of your inspection once it all done.
I hope this helps and fixes your engine problems
If not we need more detailed information

[Hakan]

Thanks for the help. Engine is in bad condition. The oil isnt clean, all sludge. Taking it into specialist in 3 or so weeks time . The car ran out of rego 4 weeks ago, what do you think is the best way for me to get it there (1 hour journey). Sorry I've never done it before.. I'll ring my father who is overseas to send me a copy of the mobile mechanics report.

Call a tow truck i guess , if your engine is sludged DO NOT START IT AGAIN obviously your engine hasnt been serviced regularly. how bad is the sludge ? and you do know that it will cost you a fair bit to clean up that sludge depending how bad it is. are you comfident in pulling things apart yourself because if you do it youself 1. you will learn 2. it will cost you less $$$.

Sludge usually occurs from low maintanance i.e oil and filter change and low quality oil . poor quality fuel used for extended periods. it looks like slime or gunk.

[RedColourConcept]

I finally found the report I received from a mobile car inspector. Some of what he said was
1. Repair cause of the SRS and ABS dash indicator or check lights inoperative at the side of dash.
2. Flush Engine - carbon plaque at oil filler cap and spout areas.
3. Repair cooland leaks at front of engine from lower hoses area.
4. Repair cause of poor engine idle.
5. Repair oil leaks from engine at rear mains seal and other areas needing washdown to confirm all sources.
6. Repair cause of clicking noises from the left side drive shaft or transmission with vehicle raised and wheel turned. May not be fully engaging park or retarding vehicle.
7. Service transmission - due for servicing and unit sealed
8. Flush engine block - evidence of rust in cooling system and may damage internam water jacket of engine. Water pump has been replaced. Water pump has been replaced
9. Replace front suspension lower control arm mounting rubbers. Rears are deteriorated.
10. Replace lower ball joints. Needs urgent attention. Excessive movement of hub and wheel.


Feelsbadman/10

Call a tow truck i guess , if your engine is sludged DO NOT START IT AGAIN obviously your engine hasnt been serviced regularly. how bad is the sludge ? and you do know that it will cost you a fair bit to clean up that sludge depending how bad it is. are you comfident in pulling things apart yourself because if you do it youself 1. you will learn 2. it will cost you less $$$.

Sludge usually occurs from low maintanance i.e oil and filter change and low quality oil . poor quality fuel used for extended periods. it looks like slime or gunk.

[Hakan]

did u have white creamy stuff under your oilcap ?

[RedColourConcept]

When I cleaned the oil cap 2 weeks ago there wasn't any creamy stuff just black sludge.

did u have white creamy stuff under your oilcap ?

[Hakan]

When I cleaned the oil cap 2 weeks ago there wasn't any creamy stuff just black sludge.

Yeah that rocker cover has to be removed and inspected which is not hard to do !

[RedColourConcept]

I was thinking of painting it red. I tried removing it but was unsuccessful. Do you think it would be stupid to do a front end conversion on the car considering there are only around 2 or 3 in Australia?

Yeah that rocker cover has to be removed and inspected which is not hard to do !

[Hakan]

you have to remove the intake manifold . then remove the rocker cover be carefull when prying it out you could warp it and its plastic which could even crack .
wouldnt you want to fix your engine and suspension related problems before you start making things pretty

[Jarred]

I was thinking of painting it red. I tried removing it but was unsuccessful. Do you think it would be stupid to do a front end conversion on the car considering there are only around 2 or 3 in Australia?

Define front end conversion? and 2 or 3 of what?

[RedColourConcept]

Take mk3 golf front end off and put in a jetta or mk4 golf front. 2 or 3 red colour concepts.

Define front end conversion? and 2 or 3 of what?