RobDon's Leon -

[Indy]

Damn those plugs are smoked...that is definitely not right! you might as well get down to it right away before driving another mile... You ever opened the head before? And does that mean you'll need new bolts when you put it back on?

 

[DPJ]

Looks like my head gasket is going, I changed my plugs yesterday and found this:

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/plugs1.jpg
http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/plugs2.jpg

No.4 is oily and the rest look like they've been burning oil, I knew I was using more oil than usual and it looks like a failing head gasket is the cause.

Valve stem oil seals, Rob?

 

[PhilW]

Looks like my plugs when my valve stem oil seals went. Let the engine hold you back down a hill then blip the loud pedal and watch the smoke billow out if it is. Also do a compression test to make sure its them as you'll probably get decent reading if its the seals and not the rings.

 

[Robbie C]

I've been reading random parts of this thread as and when I get the time and have to say it is one fantastic car Rob, fair play to you Hope you get these latest issues sorted ASAP

 

[RobDon]

It's either the head gasket or the valve stem oil seals then, whichever the head has to come off then. I did see puffs of black smoke out the exhaust when on the Wallace dyno, I guess it was burning oil smoke.

 

[DPJ]

Not great, but an excuse to get your rods done.

 

[RobDon]

Hmmm ... perhaps yes!

 

[Stu_pot]

Not great, but an excuse to get your rods done.

Might as well Rob You could then have piece of mind that the torque isn't going to make a standard rod try and make a break for freedom..

Do the shells at the same time obviously.

 

[csd_19]

Might as well Rob You could then have piece of mind that the torque isn't going to make a standard rod try and make a break for freedom..

Do the shells at the same time obviously.

Get them done Rob! You know it makes sense.... It'd be a shame to have another oil level check hole in the crankcase after all the work so far.

 

[DaNnY_LaD]

Hmmm ... perhaps yes!

you'd be a fool not too...Due the price off ina Rods at the moment there well cheap..

 

[RobDon]

IE rods are alot cheaper than INA rods - £232 vs £300.

 

[DaNnY_LaD]

i paid 273 posted from ina that included vat and import duty

 

[sabredylan]

IE rods are alot cheaper than INA rods - £232 vs £300.

Rob, check out the Brute Rods sold by Arnold at Pagparts. Rifle drilled oiling for small end bearing. $479

http://pagparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=34_35&products_id=70

 

[RobDon]

Following on from this thread:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=236375

I am going to post all updates on my rebuild here from now on. Long story short - burning oil, fouled plugs, valve stem oil seals shot (still made 317bhp though!) - head off, IE rods ordered, working on the head just now.

................................................................................................

Success - my home-made valve tool worked perfectly and I removed all the inlet valves no problem this morning. If anyone wants to borrow it once I'm done with it just let me know.

Full set of inlet and exhaust valves:

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/hd10.jpg

Empty cylinder head:

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/hd11.jpg

I started to clean up the head and get rid of all the carbon/coke build up:

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/hd12.jpg

I found a machining company locally who will skim the head for £30 + VAT so I think I'll get this done once I'm finished cleaning up and porting the head.

 

[CupraMVR]

was it the head gasket blown ?

the head looks in good shape tho

 

[B3LSY]

I've got arrows rods in mine think they were £300 and low compresion pistons not sure on the price off those

 

[RobDon]

Valve stem oil seals on the exhaust side are shot, possibly the guides too. Oil was leaking down into the cylinders and burning.

As you can see from this pic, No.4 cylinder had a bad oil leak, 1 and 3 also showed slight signs of oil leaks too:

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll330/SonicBlueLeon/hd3.jpg

 

[RobDon]

Mine will have IE rods, Supertech inconel exhaust valves and a ported head when I'm finished.

 

[B3LSY]

What signs did you get mate of this happening?

 

[RobDon]

It was burning alot of oil and the plugs were badly fouled up, No.4 was wet with oil.