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Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 2:37 pm
by mangocrazy
Just had confirmation from another source that £2k-£2.5k for a head gasket repair is a fair price. Not many garages even want the work, as it's time consuming and ties up a ramp and mechanic for 3 or 4 days.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:45 pm
by mangocrazy
OK, I think we may have A Plan. I spoke to a guy I know who runs an engineering shop in Clay Cross and he suggested I ring AW Engineering in Darwen, as they are T4 specialists and will either supply and fit a recon engine or will fit a new cylinder head and gasket to my block. They do all the recon work themselves, reboring, valve seat cutting, re-facing the head etc. etc. and are much more reasonable on price. I was given a ball-park quote of £1000 + VAT to supply and fit a recon head with new valves, valve stem seals, re-cut valve seats and hydraulic tappets and new head gasket to my engine, and that price includes all labour.
I think I'm going to bite his hand off...
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:47 pm
by Rockburner
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:45 pm
OK, I think we may have A Plan. I spoke to a guy I know who runs an engineering shop in Clay Cross and he suggested I ring AW Engineering in Darwen, as they are T4 specialists and will either supply and fit a recon engine or will fit a new cylinder head and gasket to my block. They do all the recon work themselves, reboring, valve seat cutting, re-facing the head etc. etc. and are
much more reasonable on price. I was given a ball-park quote of £1000 + VAT to supply and fit a recon head with new valves, valve stem seals, re-cut valve seats and hydraulic tappets and new head gasket to my engine, and that price includes all labour.
I think I'm going to bite his hand off...
Is that to a loose engine? or a drive-in/drive-out service?
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:47 pm
by KungFooBob
With the difference you could get it blueprinted and gas flowed, maybe even a spicy cam
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:49 pm
by Rockburner
KungFooBob wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:47 pm
With the difference you could get it blueprinted and gas flowed, maybe even a spicy cam
hmm - what's the best paint job for a T4?? Mystery Machine or A-Team?
(in the vein of "useless ways to throw money at a van")
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:52 pm
by iansoady
I seem to get the ones that have problems - whether bikes or cars.....
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:53 pm
by KungFooBob
Rockburner wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:49 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:47 pm
With the difference you could get it blueprinted and gas flowed, maybe even a spicy cam
hmm - what's the best paint job for a T4?? Mystery Machine or A-Team?
(in the vein of "useless ways to throw money at a van")
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 4:49 pm
by mangocrazy
Rockburner wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:47 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 3:45 pm
OK, I think we may have A Plan. I spoke to a guy I know who runs an engineering shop in Clay Cross and he suggested I ring AW Engineering in Darwen, as they are T4 specialists and will either supply and fit a recon engine or will fit a new cylinder head and gasket to my block. They do all the recon work themselves, reboring, valve seat cutting, re-facing the head etc. etc. and are
much more reasonable on price. I was given a ball-park quote of £1000 + VAT to supply and fit a recon head with new valves, valve stem seals, re-cut valve seats and hydraulic tappets and new head gasket to my engine, and that price includes all labour.
I think I'm going to bite his hand off...
Is that to a loose engine? or a drive-in/drive-out service?
That's drive in, leave it with him for a few days, then drive out. All I have to find extra is return rail fare from Sheffield to Darwen. Or perhaps pick up & return car hire in Darwen?
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 4:53 pm
by Ditchfinder
loads of car hire places in Blackburn. My mate is from that neck of the woods and has a T4 - i could ask him about the guys you're taking it too if you'd like?
#edit - I see they are a diesel specialist not a T4 specialist
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 5:06 pm
by mangocrazy
Ditchfinder wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 4:53 pm
loads of car hire places in Blackburn. My mate is from that neck of the woods and has a T4 - i could ask him about the guys you're taking it too if you'd like?
#edit - I see they are a diesel specialist not a T4 specialist
Yeah, I'd like to hear an independent view of what they're like. Having said that, I'd trust Jon's judgement as he recommended AW Eng.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 5:30 pm
by MyLittleStudPony
Oh well, out of one frying pan, into another frying pan.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 5:51 pm
by mangocrazy
MyLittleStudPony wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 5:30 pm
Oh well, out of one frying pan, into another frying pan.
Owning an old vehicle. Goes with the turf, innit?
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:08 pm
by Taipan
As a former car dealer i can tell you loads of people try and slyly p/x knackered cars, but it doesn't mean we take them. Private sales are often more dodgy with no legal comeback either. Bottom line is always take a vehicle on its own merits before you trust its service history. and owners reason for sale stories...
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:29 pm
by mangocrazy
Taipan wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:08 pm
As a former car dealer i can tell you loads of people try and slyly p/x knackered cars, but it doesn't mean we take them. Private sales are often more dodgy with no legal comeback either. Bottom line is always take a vehicle on its own merits before you trust its service history. and owners reason for sale stories...
That's another reason why I'm apprehensive about buying a 'new' van rather than staying with the Devil I know. To get something half decent I'll need to spend well into five figures and that's a sizeable outlay when you're retired. I know there are plenty of honest car/van dealers around, but there are also a fair number of less than scrupulous ones as well. As for a private sale, I wouldn't even think about it for the reasons you mention.
I'm also not a fan of the way van design is going - loading the things with all the toys that car drivers expect and squeezing ever higher power outputs out of smaller and smaller engines. More recent vans will have catalytic converters, EGR valves and DPFs - my T4 has none of those and is all the better for it. I understand the reason for it - manufacturers are forced down that route because of ever more stringent Euro emissions regs, but I'll stay with my old low-tech van for as long as I can keep it running.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:47 am
by Mr. Dazzle
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:29 pm
for as long as I can keep it running.
Errr....
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:10 am
by Taipan
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:29 pm
Taipan wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:08 pm
As a former car dealer i can tell you loads of people try and slyly p/x knackered cars, but it doesn't mean we take them. Private sales are often more dodgy with no legal comeback either. Bottom line is always take a vehicle on its own merits before you trust its service history. and owners reason for sale stories...
That's another reason why I'm apprehensive about buying a 'new' van rather than staying with the Devil I know. To get something half decent I'll need to spend well into five figures and that's a sizeable outlay when you're retired. I know there are plenty of honest car/van dealers around, but there are also a fair number of less than scrupulous ones as well. As for a private sale, I wouldn't even think about it for the reasons you mention.
I'm also not a fan of the way van design is going - loading the things with all the toys that car drivers expect and squeezing ever higher power outputs out of smaller and smaller engines. More recent vans will have catalytic converters, EGR valves and DPFs - my T4 has none of those and is all the better for it. I understand the reason for it - manufacturers are forced down that route because of ever more stringent Euro emissions regs, but I'll stay with my old low-tech van for as long as I can keep it running.
When you think about it, vans are typically occupied more than cars and often achieve higher mileages, so adding creature comforts for the driver was an obvious move for manufacturers. Long gone are the days of uncarpeted and uninsulated cabins with manual windows and a basic radio.
I'm with you all the way on the criticism of smaller engines producing higher power though. A cabbie recently told us the best engines he'd ever run were 90s diesels. Most of them achieved starship mileages with no engine work. He reckons cars are much more unreliable today with so many needing engine work as well as multiple sensor failures, DPF issues etc.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:15 am
by Mr. Dazzle
Taipan wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:10 am
best engines
Only if you don't enjoy breathing
I know it's boring etc, but I suspect the "problem" here is that you can't
see the reduction in pollution/improvement in air quality but you can very much see the bill you get for a new DPF.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:19 am
by KungFooBob
We could reduce air pollution by half overnight. If we had that gold glove thingy with gems on it.
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:29 am
by mangocrazy
Taipan wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:10 am
A cabbie recently told us the best engines he'd ever run were 90s diesels. Most of them achieved starship mileages with no engine work. He reckons cars are much more unreliable today with so many needing engine work as well as multiple sensor failures, DPF issues etc.
Exactly that ^^^
I've owned three vehicles with '90s (or earlier) diesel engines; the 2.5 TDi 5 cylinder ACV engine in my T4, the 1.8 TDCi engine in my 2007 Ford Focus (pre wet belt!) and the 2.0 HDi Citroen/Peugeot engine in my 2005 Berlingo Multispace. All of them were phased out in the early to mid 2000s due to being unable to meet emissions targets, all of them were capable of big, big mileages and all of them were replaced with smaller and far more problematic power units.
A cycnic might say that vans started to become much more car-like in their cabin comforts and infotainment systems around about the time the engines became a lot less reliable and not capable of high mileages.
'Don't worry about that smaller, more highly stressed engine sir, just look at the plush cabin and plethora of gizmos you have to play with'...
Re: I have a horrible feeling my T4 van's head gasket is toast
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:31 am
by KungFooBob
Baby murderer!