Bower Engine Problems

[Tbear]

Boxer Engine Problems

Hi All.

S Reg Peugeot Boxer 2 ltr Petrol. Sounds awful, low power. increased fuel consumption, lack of compression on middle two cylinders, middle two plugs look dull and dark. I think the head gasket has gone.

I am off this week so want to get away. The garage is busy so I am tempted to just do it myself but will I need to get the Head Skimmed or is this just a ploy by the garages to charge you £300 in labour. I have not done this for thirty years so are there any major pitfalls with a modernish engine.

Richard

 

[Deleted member 3802]

i won't do a head gasket with out it been skimmed and pressure tested for the sake of £27 it's not worth the gamble to us, the big difference between engines now and 30yrs ago is the cam belt and setting up the timing ?? some tools you don't have may be required ?? auto data shows 6.30 hrs for the job.
only tackle it if you are 100% confident or it could cost you a lot more

 

[Tbear]

i won't do a head gasket with out it been skimmed and pressure tested for the sake of £27 it's not worth the gamble to us, the big difference between engines now and 30yrs ago is the cam belt and setting up the timing ?? some tools you don't have may be required ?? auto data shows 6.30 hrs for the job.
only tackle it if you are 100% confident or it could cost you a lot more

Hi Arthur,

Thanks for the reply

Makes sense. Luckily the garage phoned back and they have taken it. 6.30 hours, sounds like I am going to be doing some overtime

Richard

 

[Boxerman]

Not the easiest engine to work on due to it being transverse and canted back. the exhaust manifold nuts are difficult to get to and there is very little room to work around the timing belt end of the engine. Sometimes it's better to let someone else have the hassle. I concur with Arthur, check the the garage is going to get the head skimmed, otherwise there is a good chance of the gasket blowing again.

Rgds
Frank

 

[Deleted member 775]

as has been said ,if you are not handy with the spanners then leave it to the pros .those engines are a bit of a pain to to work on ,but ive done worse .you would have to send the head away for skimming and that would entail more time if you did it yourself ,but the timing is straght forward to set up on a petrol engine as they are all marked ,diesels are a little harder ,as for garage prices one instance .i was quoted up to 200 quid for a belt change on my van a bedford cf did it myself at a cost of 12 quid and the time it took was 30 mins :heart:

 

[Tbear]

Not the easiest engine to work on due to it being transverse and canted back. the exhaust manifold nuts are difficult to get to and there is very little room to work around the timing belt end of the engine. Sometimes it's better to let someone else have the hassle. I concur with Arthur, check the the garage is going to get the head skimmed, otherwise there is a good chance of the gasket blowing again.

Rgds
Frank

Hi Frank,

I agree. The engine is coming apart as we speak but it's the expert at the garage that,s loosing the skin off his knuckles not me. I will post the diagnosis when I have it but she looks a bit poorly.:sad:

Richard

Richard

 

[Tbear]

Well the garage came back to me. About £750 for blown head gasket. This will include skimming head, new cam belt kit, new water pump, bit of welding on battery mount and full service. Most of the service seems to be done during head change so I thought I'd get them to change the air filter while they where there.

I reckon it would have taken me up to 3 days, this includes sourcing and fetching parts. I would still have had to get the head skimmed for me so I think I got a bargain. If it all comes good I will post the name of the garage.

Do we need or do we have a list of reliable mechanics/garages around the country?

 

[Tbear]

Hi All,

Used Cars Peterborough, Used Car Dealer in Cambridgeshire | We-sell-any-car.com only charged me £700 (Quote £750) and did a bit more work than they quoted for. Well impressed

Richard