Hello people,

My Father's 1990 TP Magna wagon is currently in my possession owing to his being in hospital in frail health. Its odometer shows 60,600 KM and the service manual attests to this. Unfortunately in the 18 months since its last service the radiator fluid has sunk below that top of the radiator core which was traced to a leaking radiator cap and so the cooling system was not operating under pressure. My father's use of the car during this 18 months was limited to trips of less than 5 Km and so overheating effects were not obvious to him. Once in my possessiion it has become clear that there is a problem with the engine as it idles very roughly once warm and there is evidence of water in the sump. Number 4 spark plug is fouled when examined. The other three are normal colour. It has registration and insurance until September this year.

I've received quotes of up to $2000 to repair the damage depending on how much there is and whether or not the head is cracked because of the maltreatment. Following various threads in this forum suggests that head and/or block cracking is a high possibility.

So I'm looking for advice in the following areas:

1. Is the vehicle worth repairing, given the costs could get to be equal to its value.
2. Has anyone got recommendations about sourcing a refurbished head if that is needed and what cost is likely? I live on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne
3. If sold in its current condition (I doubt that it could be driven for more than 20 KM as is) for parts, what value might be likely? In this event I would sell it as an unregistered "wreck" and obtain refunds on registration and insurances.
4. Any other comment that might help me with this decision.

Thanks

Alan Downing

I'd be doing a compression test first just to make sure the oil hasnt just accumulated excess condensation from lack of use.

If the compression test is ok, id give her an oil change and new plugs and see how it goes then.

Your story sounds very familiar Alan. I inherited my dad's 1990 TP (my wife now drives it). He was getting old, it sat in his garage for quite a few years, low milaege, excellent condition, etc. What it boiled down to (pun intended) was that the coolant hadn't be flushed and renewed for a long time so there was little rust inhibitor action. Started developinng coolant leaks here and there, fixed various leaks, including major leak in timing chain cover, and with full coolant pressure restored, it finally blew the corroded head gasket right next to the number 4 cylinder. There's a coolant port right next to the no. 4 cylinder (there's about a 5 mm gap). The coolant had been slowly eating away at the head gasket and block, and getting to the fire ring, with probably a very slow leak into the cylinder, until the no. 4 fire ring on the head gasket finally let go. Is it worth fixing? Well how much are you willing to pay for a low mileage car, and/or can you do some/most of the work? You could whip the head off, and check how bad the corrosion is, but then you'd have to tranport it to get a mechanic to fix it. Might be lucky and all you need is a new head gasket, but don't bet on it, that timing cover corrosion seems like a very common problem. I don't know what a reconditioned changeover engine would be worth (does some one esle know), but that might be your best bet if you don't want to do much of the work.

Go see the guys at magnas 'R' us in Lilydale. They know the old barges back to front.

Thanks for these replies.

I'm not sure what a "Fire Ring"s but assume it's the raised folded area of the head gasket surrounding the cylinder which compresses as you torque the head fasteners during reassembly.

I don't think it could reach Lilydale in it's current condition under it's own power and towing on a rope/chain is illegal, I think, so it would need a car carrier transport to get it there.

I've done some checks on changeover head costs and these seem to be in the $500 region (any pointers here?) and a long time ago rebuilds on topends of engines didn't faze me too much. So I think I'll lift the head off and take a look at what I'm facing. I'm fairly sure the head will be warped after it is loosened, so a changeover will be necessary.

I may be looking for further advice regarding fixing corrosion in due course.

Love that Avatar Tess - are you hankering after a change of occupation?

Cheers

Alan

ebay sell VRS kits $59 and an water pumps

stuff you might find helpfull in these links
if you dont have a manual

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40090

http://www.mitsubishiclubaustralia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=814&start=0

check the engine mounts and look for cracks in the front of the block between the welsh plugs

I had my cylinder head pressure tested and resurfaced for $110. Pressure test revealed a crack which cost extra $80 to weld up.