Join Today
Results 1 to 19 of 19
  1. #1
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts

    My worst fears.......confirmed!

    So my 850 has been losing a lot of coolant lately (see my other thread) coming out of the expansion tank with mega pressure.

    Today I did a compression test, and cylinder 3 is down to 8 bar, and cylinder 2 is at 12 bar (all the others are at ~13bar)

    So looks like I've got to rip the head off again. Dammit. Must get the head skimmed this time.

    Anyone know of anyone that can skim the head around the Oldbury/Dudley (or further afield) area? How much does it cost roughly?
    Last edited by Dangerous Dave; Wednesday 2nd December 2009 at 14:34.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    siamblue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Ilford,Essex.
    Posts
    6,154
    Thanks
    747
    Thanked 403 Times in 349 Posts
    Sorry to hear that mate, if you want my opinion and don't need the car in a hurry, get the head, turbo and manifold polished and ported, at least then you will see some extra gains for all of your hard work,

    Gary
    V40 2.0T Sport Lux Titanium grey,(03) 133k,standard
    Yamaha R1 5VY,(06) 180bhp/165whp,100nm

  3. #3
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    Tis my only mode of transport unfortunately, and I've already slightly ported the manifold and a bit of the turbo exhaust housing to match (see here http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22911 ) hopefully getting a spare ecu to play with ;-) so should be able to get some more out of that turbo even though it is a tiny one

    Am gonna try and do the valve seals though. Hopefully it won't take long to do.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    a 19t just isn't laggy enough
    p fandango's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    19,785
    Thanks
    4,216
    Thanked 5,021 Times in 4,072 Posts
    think i paid about £200 for a top-notch engineering shop to skim the head & check it over on the 5hitroen, it came back like brand new

    sorry to sound calus but any chance of some pics while you've got the head off, i've started building my own engine & the block is the next step.

    fingers crossed it goes well for you

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Glad im Back -D
    cameron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Oldham, Lancashire
    Posts
    6,061
    Thanks
    983
    Thanked 604 Times in 533 Posts
    How much does a compression test cost ?

    I keep topping my expansion tank up every 2 -3 days lately


    1998 C70 T5 GT Auto, 68k, FVSH, Immaculate inside and out, only mod - poly top mount, its Yellow and no pete i didnt paint it, lol

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    smithy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    7,472
    Thanks
    1,752
    Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,506 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by bomb192uk View Post
    Tis my only mode of transport unfortunately, and I've already slightly ported the manifold and a bit of the turbo exhaust housing to match (see here http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22911 ) hopefully getting a spare ecu to play with ;-) so should be able to get some more out of that turbo even though it is a tiny one

    Am gonna try and do the valve seals though. Hopefully it won't take long to do.
    the is an engine place on bidford road aston bham i will pm you there number ive had work done by them and are very good

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to smithy For This Useful Post:

    Dangerous Dave (Wednesday 2nd December 2009)

  8. #7
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    nobananas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    3,111
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 528 Times in 448 Posts
    Just a basic head skim shouldn't cost more than 40-50 quid. Our machine shop can usually skim them with the valves etc in situ (depends on the heads design and be sure to blow through everything with compressed air afterwards to clear any swarf) but if you are going to do the seals you will be pulling the valves anyway. If you are in a hurry as it's your daily runner it might be worth just getting the machine shop you use to strip the head, skim it (a pressure test is often a good idea unless you are 100 percent sure you just have a gasket failure) then rebuild it with new seals (if you buy the head set and bolts from them they can use the seals from the set and then give you the rest). Having the valves and seats re-cut is also a good idea and you could even go for a three angle re-cut but obviously you will be looking at a few hundred quid after all that so best make sure they quote you on the work first.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to nobananas For This Useful Post:

    Dangerous Dave (Wednesday 2nd December 2009)

  10. #8
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by cameron View Post
    How much does a compression test cost?
    I have a compression tester I bought years ago from halfords. Just plug it in and turn the engine over with full throttle (I removed all the plugs and unplugged the injectors).

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165557

    Quote Originally Posted by p fandango View Post
    sorry to sound calus but any chance of some pics while you've got the head off, i've started building my own engine & the block is the next step.
    I have a couple of pics from the last time I did the headgasket....but I'll do some of the stripdown for you.

    Head cleaned up


    Water in cylinder #4
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Dangerous Dave For This Useful Post:

    p fandango (Thursday 3rd December 2009)

  12. #9
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    siamblue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Ilford,Essex.
    Posts
    6,154
    Thanks
    747
    Thanked 403 Times in 349 Posts
    If i was going that far with the engine then i would do the rods at the same time, then the world is your oyster for power


    Gary
    V40 2.0T Sport Lux Titanium grey,(03) 133k,standard
    Yamaha R1 5VY,(06) 180bhp/165whp,100nm

  13. #10
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    Just got no money at the moment (as have a lot of people I know) so just getting it running is my priority. I can always take it apart another time (or get a spare engine to mess with)
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  14. #11
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    Alan M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Midlands
    Posts
    1,914
    Thanks
    46
    Thanked 342 Times in 293 Posts
    I know a friendly machinist in Tyseley that will just skim the head once disassembled for around £30. If its close enough Bomb let me know via pm and I can put you in contact with them. He can usually do it while you wait and watch aswell and will just take the minimum required for a perfectly flat face. If you require a pressure test though that will have to be done elsewhere I'm afraid.

  15. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Alan M For This Useful Post:

    Dangerous Dave (Thursday 3rd December 2009),siamblue (Thursday 3rd December 2009)

  16. #12
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    I've found a local company that deal with cylinder heads, and will skim it for £25. They are a head specialist, but I'm paranoid something will be wrong.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  17. #13
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    nobananas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    3,111
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 528 Times in 448 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by bomb192uk View Post
    I've found a local company that deal with cylinder heads, and will skim it for £25. They are a head specialist, but I'm paranoid something will be wrong.
    I wouldn't worry too much, I'm always paranoid something is wrong and expecting the worst that way I can be pleasantly suprised when all is well and not too disapointed when it turns to cr@p !

  18. #14
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    Cheers buddy, will see what happens.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  19. #15
    Senior Member
    Blah Blah Blah!
    Volvostorm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Condover
    Posts
    4,124
    Thanks
    92
    Thanked 917 Times in 807 Posts
    In most cases a quick skim work,s fine, unless you have really boiled the engine, there shouldn't be any other damage.

    Fingers crossed it all goes well mate




  20. #16
    Senior Member
    This user has no status
    Mental Wealth Doctor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    372
    Thanks
    32
    Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts
    Oh no mate, gutted. but recon she's gonna be ok, they are some hardy beasts these 850's

  21. #17
    Senior Member
    This user has no status

    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    near montpelier south of France
    Posts
    205
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 36 Times in 23 Posts
    I had the head bent on my old T5,due to faulty low water sensor.I had the skim done in Poland [don't ask] and she is still running as sweet as a nut,now with 200 k on the clock.As the man said, hardy engines,even the mechanic[who rallies cars] couldn't believe it when the old girl fired up first turn of the key after the rebuild,don't you just love Volvo's!!!

  22. #18
    New Identity
    Back in an AWD....Oh the grip!
    Dangerous Dave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    8,921
    Thanks
    2,491
    Thanked 2,582 Times in 2,051 Posts
    Hopefully its not too bad as the level sensor is working and I've been keeping it topped up. Though now the coolant tank is smelling more like the petrol tank.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
    1996 Nautic Blue 850 AWD - Failed its MOT, now it's a donor for the green thing.
    2004 Sapphire Black S60 D5 - The new daily hack.

  23. #19
    Senior Member
    Some people hate to see you
    doing well. They are losers...
    PaulZX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Skegvegas
    Posts
    1,526
    Thanks
    542
    Thanked 242 Times in 181 Posts
    if you're still looking, try Coventry engines in Earlsdon, Coventry... I know they do good work, at fair prices....

  24. The Following User Says Thank You to PaulZX For This Useful Post:

    Dangerous Dave (Sunday 6th December 2009)


 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
This website uses cookies
We use cookies to store session information to facilitate remembering your login information, to allow you to save website preferences, to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.
     
ipv6 ready