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Advice needed - expensive engine problem...



  Clio Trophy
Hoping for some advice on the best course of action; was driving home on Saturday evening, and the emissions warning light started flashing. Car then sounded very unhealthy too. Got towed home by the rac, and their diagnosis was that a spark plug has been blown out. The rac guy reckoned that it needed helicoiling (never heard of this before) as it is threaded and can't be put back in.
The garage i had it taken to today won't do that, as they would have to guarantee it for 12months and they said it probably wouldn't last that long. They said that it needs a new cylinder head - the cost they said for tehm to do this would be £2,800 (think there was vat on top of that too)
My car is out of warranty now, not really sure what is the best course of action. Had a quick search on ebay and there was a 182 engine for £400 I would imagine I would be a lot better off buying a completely different engine?
Had a look on the angelworks website, and form what I can see on there, I could buy a cylinder head for £350, (which is apparently a great way to add valuable performance for very little cost if you are already rebuilding..? - i know nothing about modifying cars, though am not against it if it is the most cost effective fix in this instance!)
On the k-tec website a renault cylinder head is ~700. How much would the cost of fitting on top of the part be?
Any advice would be appreciated, feel in a bit of a pickle really, as like a lot of people not really feeling at all well off at the moment - though I don't want to skimp in terms of quality etc where my car is concerned.
 
M

mini-valver

The angelworks price is for flow work on the head. Any damage that needs rectifying would be additional. Nothing wrong with helicoiling, a mate had it done on his R5 and it was fine. Personally, I'd take it to a reputable garage and get a second opinion.

Costs can soon mount up though either way. Before you do anything, get in touch with Renault as sometimes they offer to pay a percentage of the repair as it's an abnormal failure.
 
  LY 182
done the job a few times.. works fine. would happily gaurentee one i'd done for a year.

get it helicoiled elsewhere
 
  ITB'd MK1
Engineers we use would probably fit a werth insert in situ. Better than a helicoil by a mile for sparkplugs, and about £60 tops. call a local engine reconditioner and see if they'll so it in situ
 
  Lionel Richie
can be done in place, helicoil is fine, if you can't find anyone speak to specialist breakers on 01254 386661 ask for matt
 
  Megane 225
So was the spark plug at fault? Or was it something else? It may be covered by parts warranty if you used genuine parts and they failed?
 
  M235i / 172
Surely if you helicoil it in place all the flakes of metal when you tap it will go straight into the cylinder, and also when you break the tang off of the bottom of the helicoil, that will to.... Not good!
 
  Clio Trophy
Thanks for the input. Advice here has definitley saved me a lot of money. got car back today from an engine reconditioners who have put in an insert.

Good to be back in the clio even after only a few days without it.. :)
 
  LY 182
Surely if you helicoil it in place all the flakes of metal when you tap it will go straight into the cylinder, and also when you break the tang off of the bottom of the helicoil, that will to.... Not good!

i put it at firing tdc then blow it out with the air line.
the tang you can pull off with thin long neck long nose pliers or put a load of grease on the end of a long screwdriver and tap it off with that
then it sticks to the grease
 
  VaVa
What's wrong with helicoil? Never had any trouble with them myself (different application, but still high-ish pressure)
 
  LY 182
Thanks for the input. Advice here has definitley saved me a lot of money. got car back today from an engine reconditioners who have put in an insert.

Good to be back in the clio even after only a few days without it.. :)
AHEM lol
 
  BMW M135i
A few people have had them shoot plugs now seems strange, wonder whats causing it? Just a weakness in the head casting that fails under pressure?
 


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