Technical Bought a mk2 x-reg - few issues

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Technical Bought a mk2 x-reg - few issues

I've read up on it and it's good practise but not always necessary. If it's warped it will need skimmed. But I have no idea how to check as i don't think that without the correct equipment you could check?

As for other things to change at the same time.

Timing belt, water pump and aux belt?

Any seals or gaskets worth changing? Head bolts are reusable? Inlet or exhaust manifold gaskets?

Thanks

Ross
 
head bolts are reusable, so are exhaust and inlet gasket, unless they got holes in them
you could check for warped head with a ruler but i got told by head skimming guys that these differences are so small that they usually cant be seen by naked eye and will only show when head is on skimming machine

i wouldnt change timing belt, water pump, aux belt unless belts are cracked or in rly rly bad condition, but still i would personally just wait till it snaps, cuz even if it does it wont do anything bad apart from leaving your car on the side of the road
 
Good point. I read on this forum it's an non interference engine so I won't change as it looks good condition.

I'll price the kit only.

Is there an oil seal that goes on that side of the engine? I've got a rocker cover and o-ring seal which I'll obviously fit. But any others worth purchasing to change? I've got a monster oil leak, which I haven't bothered sorting yet.

Thanks
 
Yes I think one or two are a bit low, 175 / 180- psi is what to expect generally.

If it hasn't cooked then you should be OK without a skim. Inspect the valves etc to see how mucky they are and if that area needs a clean-up while it's all apart. An engine centre might refresh the valve seats for you and give it a light skim for around £60 probably. You might find that the valve clearances need checking after this and a few shims want swapping around or replacing. If the cambelt looks OK and the tensioner runs smooth then you may get away without a cambelt / kit, cost for them is cheap so either do it while you're at it anyway, or at least learn how to do it when the time comes.
 
Thanks for the advice. The middle 2 are the lowest. This was a stone cold engine and dry compression test.

Wondering whether worth doing a wet test tomorrow and comparing the results. Or to do a hot test?

I'm pricing it up and from reading online changing the cambelt is a good idea as it allows me to cut the belt when removing it which makes removal of the head easier I think.

Any recommendations on what gasket kit to buy?
 
When the HG goes it's usually between 2 cylinders. The gasket set and cambelt kit makes shouldn't really matter especially for an older budget car, but there are some budget aftermarket makes like motaquip that will do the job but you might want to avoid.

You could consider doing the waterpump too at the same time, and even the thermostat.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I've changed the thermostat within the last few weeks. Waterpump was on my radar to change as if I change that and the cambelt and the HG it should avoid any issues going forward.

I'm gonna buy an FAI kit I think as I recognise that brand. Everything I've read is pointing to HG so hoping its nothing more serious.

Thanks for all the replies. Will post back once I have more news.
 
Ok started the Cylinder head removal today.

I've bought a genuine HG kit and new head bolts and have a local place that will skim the head. Intention was to start the job next week but had time this afternoon.

So I've stripped down the airbox, throttle body and removed all wiring and injector rail. I've took the 4 exhaust manifold bolts off and 6 nuts off the inlet manifold, although 2 have actually fell into a recess of the block and will need to be retrieved later.

Is there any more on the inlet as I can see the left hand side would remove but the right hand side is still held on, is this by the coolant sensor? Does this need removed? The bolts on it are solid so I've stuck plus gas on them.

As for the exhaust manifold, any ideas why this isn't coming away? Can't see any other bolts unless there is some kind of bracket holding it in place?

Once I've removed both of these it looks like just the engine mount and then the belt removal?

Any help advice appreciated?

Ross
 
Is this the support bracket mentioned in the Haynes manual?

Original HG kit from eurocarcare for £35. Bargain.
 
Any idea on the manifold? Anyone know if it is just the 6 nuts on the let manifold?
 
You can't remove the coolant sensor from head unless inlet is loosened off, they interlock.

Because the inlet is plastic, the nuts do "crack" off. They literally make that noise. So try more like a short sharp impact to free them up. And savour that almost totally inaccessible nut at the bottom centre back :)


There is a lot of give in the hg. I checked mine with a good straightedge, it was very flat. So check yours and then make a call on a skim.
 
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It's 8. I need to remove the coolant sensor ones as well. At least I know what I need to do. Lol.

The bolts were solid so hopefully the plus gas will work.

That at least sorts that issue and I think the exhaust manifold is just the support bracket although there is absolutely no wiggle in the manifold. I presume this is normal as the bolts to the head are to keep it tight to the head rather than to support its weight.

This all make sense?
 
So can you tell me where the extra bolts for the exhaust manifold is? I've removed the 4 for the head where are the other 4? I have no heatshield on my manifold?

I know why the inlet manifold isn't coming off and will be able to sort that.

Any advice on how to remove the timing belt? The easiest way please? I'm still to get tipex and Mark it up.
 
to remove timing belt undo tensioner bolt and remove crankshaft pulley

manifold
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Thanks for the pictures. Lol. I've only removed the top bolts.

I'll attempt to remove the bolts Tuesday morning.

Thanks for everyone's help.

As for the rattle from the boot, I think it's actually the front left engine mount cause of the rough idle. I know that's not the rear but I think that's it.

As you've said I think I've got bigger issues lol. I worked on it in my garage today but ran out of time. Had to get the wife to help me push it back up onto the drive. I've got a spare car for 2 weeks so need to get it sorted by then. Lol.
 
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