I've previously posted questions regarding my 92 KR's oil problems. It was leaking out of the cap (as a lot do apparently).

I've always been thinking it was a blocked PCV causing too much pressure to build up as the oil appeared to be coming out of the filler cap. This didn't really create too much of an issue until I was taking it for slightly longer trips - it began to smoke, obviously oil dripping onto the exhaust. Even lately I'd check underneath and notice a lot of it that have been blown all the way down the exhaust and smoke pouring off it. Today I dropped it into the mechanic across the street from work to see if they could resolve it.

Result: PCV was taken off and cleared out, they noticed a partial blockage. There appears to be possibly a number of leaks being caused by too much pressure and the fact that the motor is probably very worn. It's done 280,000 kms. They didn't get a chance to take it for a drive so I used the drive home to test it out (about 10 minute drive).

Got three quarters of the way home and didn't see a trail of white smoke trailing behind me and figured that normally by this time it would be. There wasn't really any smell either. However got in the driveway, shut it off and it started puffing out from around the wheels. Opened the bonnet and it was pouring from around the back (near the firewall), oil pissing out of the cap still and underneath off the exhaust.

I hardly see much point of doing the seals for a good $1500. The only thing it gets used for is short trips such as going to and from work or going up to the shops when the other half has the good car. The paint work is also shot with the clear coat peeling off all over. I can't see any point selling it as I can't roadworthy it. The only thing I can think of doing is cashing in the rego and disposing of it some other way and buying a push bike.

My main car (2004 Commodore) I like to leave with the mrs when I'm working during the day (I work shift work) so I might consider riding a bike to work on those occasions. Maybe at some stage get a smaller cheap car to replace the Magna.

Any suggestions?

Don't bother repairing it dude. I have regretted spending the obscene amount on my car's head ever since it was done mid last year. Buy yourself a cheap run-around or something, not worth the money repairing the Verada.

You're not the only one there. I had the heads done a few years back because the water pump seized (due to a leak), virtually melted the timing belt from the friction. When the heads were pulled off, found the one of the valves sitting on top of one of the pistons and one of the others actually stuck into the top of another. No holes in the pistons in the end but still a $2000 job.

Or pick up one of the spare motors floating around here?

Or pick up one of the spare motors floating around here?

Eh, more information?

sorry to hear about that dude but that sounds expensive
best thing you should do is sell the car for $500 and invest in another verada for around $1200 (if you still want a verada)
a replacement engine would be cheaper than the cost to do the heads and seals

get a $600 run around with some rego on it

p.s yep i'm selling my v6 12v engine (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55141) for $200 in the for sale section

I'm another one here who has wasted money doing the heads on this engine only for it to be be pee'ing out oil everywhere now.
3rd cam seal has popped out now....

Just buy a replacement engine with lower k's and use that till it dies

paula how much did it cost you to do the heads?

Guys, I had oil leaks in my Verada, I fixed it, let me see, once and had no issues.

Amongst the pics you will see my engine bay, any member who has seen it will attest to how clean it always was and guess what, I only cleaned it now and again.

Mate, I guarentee I can fix the oil leaks for less than $1500 bucks, provided of course the bottom end of the motor is ok and the heads are ok.

The reason these leak is more than just the PCV. You also ahve a breather that blocks and the pipe into the manifold blocks.

With exception of the rear main seal (engine has to come out) about $450 will fix it all up including stem seals, sump gasket, cam and crank seals, manifolds removed and fully cleaned, all vacum and breather hoses replaced, oil filler cap seal, rocker cover gaskets and rocker cover bolt seals.

TuffTR, I have offered numberous times for you to bring your car here for a proper look, there is no reason for a cam seal to "pop" out aside from being incorrectly installed.

If that's the case then it may be an easy private sale rather than just dumping it for whatever. I'll give it a run on E-Bay with a reserve and see how I go. I can't sell it with rego as it can't be roadworthied how it is now.

The opinion at the mechanics, and I tend to agree, was that I may be fighting a losing battle.

The motor is rather worn. I also mentioned about the heads being done a few years back and that may have contributed.

If you are going to sell it, pm me some details as i may be interested myself.

What colour, month/year is it?

Mal, I would bring it around if it would make it to your joint!:P

If anyone is interested:

09/1992 KR V6 ei.

Burgundy colour. Clear coat is peeling off just about everywhere, in particular the roof, boot and bonnet. Rear passenger door has a ding in it (I think it may have been a shopping trolley) that I patched some time ago with some paint.

Roof line at the back where it meets the back windscreen has sagged.

Everything else works. A/C is perfectly fine, I put it on the other day actually and it was getting rather chilly inside. Power windows work. It's got a Philips CD player in it and Kenwood 4" speakers in the front (may need replacing due to them being sun damaged as they went for a while without covers) and 6" Sony X-Plode speakers on the back shelf. Only problems there is that the antenna is broken. Cruise control works as well.

Other mechanical: I was told a long long time ago about the front lower control arm bushes however I had someone else look and they said that they didn't require replacing at that stage, just a bit cracked. Might need brake pads on front or rear. Tyres a still fantastic, didn't get them that long ago (Gemstones using the Pirelli mould, great E-Bay find) however the spare is stuffed, flat and bad tread.

History: I got it back in 2000 and I have never pranged it. It's always had its timing belt replaced on time and was mechanically looked after often until I stopped using it so often due to catching the train to work, only travelling in it locally and then got the Commodore.

A few years ago the water pump started leaking. The day before I was planning on getting that replaced the water pump bearing seized. Resulted in the timing belt virtually melting from the friction and a few of the valves snapped off. Heads needed to come off, valves re-seated, timing belt replaced as well as the water pump. That happened only 20,000 kms after the timing belt was replaced at 200,000. That was all done by a very good mechanic friend of mine but still had to charge me around $2000. Luckily the valves didn't pop through the pistons which they nearly did.

The starter motor has been replaced twice due to the oil leaks stuffing it.

so how much

Good question. :think:

I'll let you decide.

If other pics of anything in particular are required let me know.

Ow, that's a severe case of sunburn!