Mechanical Question...

After having the clutch rebuilt I got the engine tested. Good news was that it's in great shape except for the Valve Stem Seals - need replaced.

So now I'm looking at getting the valve stem seals done and while I'm at it, also the timing belt. I've owned the car for 75,000kms, I havn't done it and I don't know when it was done before me.

Just wondering, is there anything else (maintenance or performance) I should consider doing at the same time while this is being done.

My mechanic said...
The Valve Stem Seal job, will be approx. $280 which includes cleaning breather & rockercover gaskets, etc.
The Timing Belt job, will be approx. $360 which includes doing the Cam seals & outer belts at the same time.

Oh, and I also need a new Radiator ($338) :doubt: , + Coolant, Flush, Cap & Hoses $90 (=$428)

When we spend all this on keeping a car going - how do we get money to mod 'em? :rant:

""My mechanic said...
The Valve Stem Seal job, will be approx. $280 which includes cleaning breather & rockercover gaskets, etc.
The Timing Belt job, will be approx. $360 which includes doing the Cam seals & outer belts at the same time.
Oh, and I also need a new Radiator ($338) , + Coolant, Flush, Cap & Hoses $90 (=$428) ""

GRD..
Valve stems seals that much? hmmm...
$360 for the belt job seems about right.. although why not buy the parts and do it urself?
the radiator you can get off ebay for $285 brand new :)


i just recently did my car..
almost all that..
i got the heads skimmed, valves cut, valve seats recut, plus the seals done(i bought the seals seperate) $350
did the belts and seals $100 i think....
all up it cost me about $550 on parts..
and i did the work myself(except for skimming the head and the stem seals, engineering shop did that..)

Yeah, first quote for Rad was a bit high (but not by much).
They said $338 for the Radiator.
I called two other places and got quoted the same for hoses, cap, coolant & labour but Radiator prices of $286 & $290.
This will save me $54.

As for doing the valve seals myself - no way - not mechanical enough. Just taking the rocker covers off on these things is way beyond me.

My mechanic said he will not need to take the head off to do the Valve Stem Seals. You took your off. Am I missing something here or did you take yours off to skim it (raise compression?). Once the engine is stripped down enough for the valve stem seals & timing belt, is it alot more to do to take the head off? May consider doing more???

Why did you do the following (what benefits are there) ?
Quote "valves cut, valve seats recut"

Thanks.

The seals themselves are only about $40 for the lot. It's just a hell of a lot of work to replace them on a V6 as to why it's expensive. Personally, I'd been quoted around $400 to do this.

i was quoted like $400 for them to be done on my 4cylinder, and told that the head has to come off to do them?

nop the head can stay on to do them but its fiddly


change the thermostat if doing the rest of cooling if done over say 200000km i would be changing the water pump while cam belt is off

The head doesn't HAVE to come off, but it makes it a hell of a lot easier (especially on the V6).

You can use compressed air to hold the valve up, through a special fitting that screws into the spark plug port, and then remove the valve spring and change the seal.

It can be done in car, but it's a pain. If you can spare the time, and have the mechanical aptitude, pull the motor and strip it completely. If not, let the mechs do it. It'll be expensive, but it'll be done properly.

I was quoted $900 by one mechanic.

Thanks for the reply guys.
So far I'll replace the thermostat while doing the cooling & look at replacing the water pump while doing the engine. :thumbsup: this gets done on Tuesday.

Update on Radiator. Droped in to the 'other' radiator mechanic. He said he doesn't think I need to replace it. I'm dropping it in on Friday to him. He'll take it out and take a look. If it only needs a clean, then it'll be around $130. If it needs replaced then it'll be arond $375 ($50 cheaper than the first place).
I asked about Aluminium Radiators - he said to give them a miss.
They are about 10-15% better at cooling but if ya get a hole or rock damage then you need a new one - whereas with the standard ones, they can be fixed/repaired.

Anything else to consider while doing the engine ?
Is getting the head off and shaving it a bit good or bad given the car is getting older (even though the engine is still strong & in good nic)?

Valve Stem Seal price is a reasonable price, won't find much cheaper.

I paid $130 for my seals in my 4 cylinder, looks pretty easy though.