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[Jimbob]

No reason has been found iirc.

Just experience here shows more model year 98 3.0 HG failures than any other by a long way.

[Ian_D]

Afraid to say sounds HG 

I think it does :-(

Typical, I've just ordered 3 tires from the net (in post now), Just bought 6 Months tax last night, it needs 4 wheel alignment doing asap, and is also over due a back box... and ontop of all that i'm currently without a job  Looks like im going to have a good xmas! 

So, do I break her up (which I really dont want to do if I can help it). Or fix it. However, an R reg Elite with 130k on the clock possibly isn't worth spending the cash on (which I dont really have to spend!). Now if... and its a big IF, I did the headgaskets myself, what costs are involved?

I assume I would need 2x head gasket kits + 2x exhaust manifold gaskets + inlet gaskets and a cambelt kit. (then try and borrow a locking kit of someone too!) I really dont know if I can be bothered if im honest.

PM sent.

If you can get it to Gloucester, I'll do it for an exceptional fee, part of which will go to H4H.
I also have a set of EX manifold gaskets here (MLS genuine ones) which I'll chuck in free to help you out.

Cheers,
James

Thanks James,

If needed I can get the car there (either driving it - providing it doesnt get worse, or if it 'breaks down' I just call the AA!

Thats actually where I bought the car from! Whitminster IIRC...

If you want to drop me another PM with a ball park figure, I will have a think about it.

For what its worth, is it worth sticking in some radweld / forte type stuff?

[Ian_D]

Also just had a quick read of the HG how to (Thanks again James)

It doesn't look 'that' bad if im honest. 

I didn't know there was enough room to remove the heads while leaving the exhaust manifolds on.

Guess it depends on costs still though... 

What anyones experience of changing the HG's on the V6?

[JamesV6CDX]

Also just had a quick read of the HG how to (Thanks again James)

It doesn't look 'that' bad if im honest. 

I didn't know there was enough room to remove the heads while leaving the exhaust manifolds on.

Guess it depends on costs still though... 

What anyones experience of changing the HG's on the V6?

If you're half handy with a spanner, have a go!

I don't think you'll refuse my offer though

[feeutfo]

Its what its worth to you really, I spent a fair few quid getting my 3.2 up to spec after it had been stood for a year. Worth it because of the lack of rust anywhere underneath and over-all condition.

Well thats the other issue, been a 98, shes starting to show signs of rust (rear arches + doors) - Now I dont mind doing this myself, but everywhere I go, nobody can match the paint! Its magic grey. And its always a shade to pale, or too purple or something - tried several paint suppliers now too (2k paint too), plan was to try again next year!

If the bodywork was mint, I would be fixing it without a doubt. If its the silver 3.2 your on about, If that was mine, the I too would be willing to spend on it as I know it would last another good few years... however with mine, lets face it, another year or two max... and it would be sent to the sky 

Reading through quickly, given your location, i'd get Daz onto new HG gaskits, shame to waiste your cash spent so far, how many miles on it?

[Ian_D]

I did think about stripping everything down upto the head bolts stage, then let Daz do the scary bits (heads off, and back on + cambelt etc) to try and keep costs down 

Theres about 133k on her. Engine has a slightly noisy tappet when started from cold which only lasts about 5-10 seconds (so im not worried about that), otherwise she still runs fine, and pulls like a train.

James has PMed me with a fantastic offer, however the more I think of it, the costs involved in geting the car to/from his make this route out of budget really.

I may just have to be brave and crack on with it myself. I've got all the tools I need (apart from the timming tools) Argh! I Dunno...! 

[TheBoy]

Is it a 1998 3.0?

That fault is coolant to outside of block leak.

[TheBoy]

Also just had a quick read of the HG how to (Thanks again James)

It doesn't look 'that' bad if im honest. 

I didn't know there was enough room to remove the heads while leaving the exhaust manifolds on.

Guess it depends on costs still though... 

What anyones experience of changing the HG's on the V6?

I think further diagnosis needs to be done before committing to ripping the heads off

[JayMV6]

2 years ago mine started leaking water n was putting bit of white smoke out of the exhaust. When i removed the spark plugs to do a compression test i noticed one was alot cleaner then the other 5. Might be something to look out for. I was short of cash at the time so only done the one bank. the other has lasted up untill about a month ago. Hope this helps 

[Ian_D]

Also just had a quick read of the HG how to (Thanks again James)

It doesn't look 'that' bad if im honest. 

I didn't know there was enough room to remove the heads while leaving the exhaust manifolds on.

Guess it depends on costs still though... 

What anyones experience of changing the HG's on the V6?

I think further diagnosis needs to be done before committing to ripping the heads off

Yes I agree TB, Its strange that its been using water since I got it (must admit, it would last a couple of months before it needed topping up back then and it would only be a top up rather than a 'refill the coolant bottle almost!')

It does give out a lot more steam than every other car i've seen. Even in summer, it gives out steam after a 50 mile run. It always has done.

If it is the HG, I cant understand why its taking sooo long to fail properly....surely it cant have been 'on its way out' for 4 years / 30k miles?

If its not the HG, then how else could the water get into the Oil?

[Ian_D]

2 years ago mine started leaking water n was putting bit of white smoke out of the exhaust. When i removed the spark plugs to do a compression test i noticed one was alot cleaner then the other 5. Might be something to look out for. I was short of cash at the time so only done the one bank. the other has lasted up untill about a month ago. Hope this helps 

Thanks- a good idea I guess. However if it was leaking into the cylinder, I would expect the coolant to be pressurising and spitting it out / bubbles in coolant etc, which it isn't doing.

[JayMV6]

Mine was a smoke joe for a couple of months but never lost power. Just drunk water in the middle of london once. So quick refill with bottle and the fountains in trafalga square. Got home to investigate.