oxygene Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hi All Just joined you all and have a question. Ive got a '95 TT Import with 120k+ with a leaking HG. It hasnt blown, but I need to get it seen to before it does. I have spoken to a couple of places including a main dealer who have quoted me best part of £3000 to replace the HG and Valve Stem Oil Seals and Piston Rings. I spoke to another firm who were gonna replace the lump and possibly refurb the turbos. They said worst scenario, the cost was going to be £3700. I told them I would get back to them. Well £3700 is 2/3's the cost of the car, possibly more. Anyone got any ideas where I can go to get ths sorted out. I think that the quotes Ive had so far are taking the P just a bit. Thanks in advance for any help @sh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cargill Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hi Ash, I remember you from the old list, and was it you I used to see passing Epsom race course some mornings? I think just to replace the HG is about 15 hours work, to do the piston rings is even more, as is a head strip. It does seem pretty high to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Do you really need the rings done? You should be able the get the Valve Stem Seals and head gasket done for about £1000 total. As Steve has already said, getting the rings done is a lot more work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxygene Posted November 7, 2003 Author Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hi Steve Yeah it was me passing epson race course I used to live in Tattenham Corner/Banstead. It did seem very steep to me as well, but I dont know too many people in the trade and no one who would undertake the work, only main dealers and the like. (like McCarthy Toyota in Croydon) who would do the job on a discount basis. The piston rings and valve stem oil seals were a reccomendation by McCarthy as I was losing oil, again not knowing too much about cars/engines (DUH!) I have to take their word for it. The engine has done 123,700 milesish, so they said these parts may be starting to wear. but they said if I wanted this work doing, I wouldnt see much change out of £3000. They recommended that I possibly bought a new lump and went on from there. But if I go down that route, I need to think about turbos and stuff as well. The 2nd place I spoke to, said that they would send the turbo's away to another company and ask them to be check them over and maybe rebuild them with steel blades insttead of ceramic ones which are there right now. They came back with a worse case scenario for an engine refit, plus seals, etc, plus VAT of £3700 Have you guyz got any contacts who could do this for me cheaper than the prices I have been quoted. I love my MKIV its the best car ive ever owned so I want to keep her on the road. RSVP and thanks again for all your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 If it needs rings it almost certainly needs a rebore and pistons, too. The prices sound very reasonable. the only cheaper option might be to find a car being broken and buy a complete engine to swap in, but it's risky, and a PROPER engine swap done without butchering is a rare commodity... The problem with the Supra MKIV is it is now in 5 to 6k territory, trade, for avearge to poor ones, yet repair prices, as with all cars, stay at the level as if the car were worth new price. It's not a car that suffers fools or botch jobs gladly, so be cautious repair wise. It may be the cheapest option is to break the car yourself, but it takes a lot of space and a fair time to get the stuff sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Worn piston rings and worn/knackered valve stem seals do not give exactly the same symptoms. If the problem is the stem seals I would expect that the car would lose some oil and smoke a bit when the car is first started up after it has been left standing overnight but not to smoke if the car has been started recently. Worn piston rings would be more likely if the car smokes all the time. Have you had a compression test done? I couldn't really advise you on a local garage to do the work. I know a few round here that could do it but to be honest there's nothing unique about the Supra cylinder head so any competant garage round your way should be able to do the work. Obviously it's always nice if you can get someone who knows Supras to do the work though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
far Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Welcome Ash Some good advise here already - by the looks of it I think you need to establish what needs doing,some garages like adding extras on.If I could get away with getting the valve stem seals and Head Gasket done for circa 1k I know which one I would do.Probably best getting a few more opinions from some other garages. Also general concensus on the board seems to indicate that toyota dont know much when it comes to the mechanics of the supra, better going to specialist such as ChrisW or Leon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxygene Posted November 7, 2003 Author Share Posted November 7, 2003 After speaking to Chris Wilson, who told me what tests I needed to get done to find out what problems there actually were on the car, not just speculation. I have just spoken to Abbey Motorsport on Oxted, who are going to have a look at the car on the 18th and run pressure tests, etc. Hopefully then I can find out exactly what I need to get done on the car. If I actually do need a new engine or if I can get away with a new HG, etc. Thanks again for all your help guyz, its much appreciated :@) When is the next group meet..? Would be great to meet you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
far Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Next meet in guildford on Monday have a lookin in gatherings and events - 25 supras going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxygene Posted November 7, 2003 Author Share Posted November 7, 2003 Kewl Not sure if Im going to be back in surrey then, but I have penciled it in. Where in guildford is it going to be..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hope it's not a worst case scenario, but if you get Abbey's view, at least you know whjat you're up against. As Chris says, it's a £40,000 car you're repairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxygene Posted November 8, 2003 Author Share Posted November 8, 2003 Yeah I know As I said, best car I have ever owned. Previously I had 4 Vauxhalls and they were all aggro from start 2 finish. Ive had the supra for a year and a half and done untold amounts of driving and had no problems. Roll on the 18th, all will be revealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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