Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club | Vauxhall Cavalier Dot Com

Has anyone had a engine re build my V6 is slowly giving up the ghost, so I was wondering if anyone has a idea of cost etc?

Humbucker is probably your man on this, although on his wip thread he will have done most of the work. (He will have had all machining work done professionally).

I am sure it all depends upon what you want doing.
A partial rebuild or a complete strip, head skims, valve guides, crank regrind, new shells, piston rings - the list goes on and on.

Also is it to factory spec or are you looking to have modified / uprated / competition parts or enhancements fitted.?

To be honest just a rebuild to factory standard like u said head skimmed valves Pistons etc .

I would price up between £500 and £800.
If you leave it up to a engine refurbisher.

All depends what they find needs machining or replacing during the strip and rebuild.

Also have the oil cooler replaced cambelt as well , do I go to a Vauxhall specialist orca engine specialist?

Any good engine specialist should be fine.

I am sure an independent vauxhall specialist may charge a premium for the same work.

I used a general engine specialist to skim my head and to fit valve guides and seats.
They also supplied matching valves to suit.

I did all the assembly work myself.

In my case it was a standard 1.8 straight four head.
On a V6 you will obviously have two heads so that is twice the price before you start.

I have only heard horror stories with regard to one or two VW Flat Four Wasserboxer engine remanufacturers.
I have not heard anything similar about Vauxhall engine remanufacturers.

Cavdvm, whereabouts are you based? Anywhere near Cambridgeshire?

Hi pal sadly not but any advice will be greatly appreciated as I'm a bit of a novice lol

Humbucker, have u experience of the v6 engine? Also does Lowrider Dave have a v6 too?

Cavdvm wrote:Humbucker, have u experience of the v6 engine? Also does Lowrider Dave have a v6 too?

Dan (Humbucker), Dave and I have all owned V6s at some point. I'm by far the least experienced though as I only got mine earlier this year.

When you say it's giving up the ghost, what exactly is it that's happening?

I had a V6 for a few years, but sold it on. Humbucker has more experience of stripping down the larger blocks in the VX range. As Robsey pointed out, there are two heads to work with. The 54 degree block is quite a handful to strip and rebuild, naturally it'll need removing from the car in the first place. A good job will cost, it's down to doing research on internet, Yellow Pages, word of mouth and actually visiting garages and machinists to track down someone who can do the job properly.

As James says, what makes you think it is 'giving up the ghost'?

Cheers boys! Lowrider Dave, did u do any work to you v6 was it in good condition? Since I've had the v6 it's gone sluggish it's certainly a lot noiser than it was , I've given it thorough service cleaned the breathers changed ht leads and plugs for good quality ones etc

hmm - could be any of a dozen issues.

First thing that came to mind is a blocked exhaust or collapsed baffles / catalyst.
Second thought is an induction leak...

I am assuming that there is no engine management light on the dash, so service items would indeed have been the first thing that I would have checked.

So in order of likelihood -
Ignition circuit - plugs, leads, coil, rotor, distributor. - ECU and connector clean and dry.
General electrics - general connectors and wiring clean, dry and securely connected. - Including earth cables.
Fuel - clean fuel in tank (if the car has been stored), good fuel pressure and flow.
Air - induction leaks, breathing and exhaust or sticking valves. - breathers are the weakest link.
Sensors - most sensors would give an engine light though. - Throttle position sensor?

Does the engine smoke on start up.?
Blue smoke = Worn engine components, valve stem seals, blocked breather hoses or worn rings
White smoke = leaky head gasket
Black smoke = severe fuelling issue.

You get the general idea.
I have never had a V6, but I am sure that the fundamental issues are the same regardless of whether it is a V6, 8 valve petrol or 16 valve petrol.

But I am sure that going through the checks above, would be cheaper and easier to cover first, before embarking on a complex and potentially expensive engine strip and rebuild.

Basically I agree with Robsey, sounds like an exhaust problem or induction problem. Listen to your engine, is it whistling? are all the pipe secure?
The only 'big' work I did on my V6 was to strip down parts to replace the oil cooler and thermostat. The rest had been regular maintenance.

If anything it sounds tapperty on acceleration especially in the low gears Lowriderdave

Hi Chris yes it does sound tapperty on acceleration not sure what that means though lol