Need some pointers on my recon...

[LantisV6 NZ]

OK, my car is smoking like an automatic smoking machine and something needs to be done about it...

I had a compression test not long ago and was told its absolutely fine but my valve seals were gone. I asked if its a big job and apparently it is! Is it really that hard to replace the valve seals??

My engine is tipping 155km's so I thought the best thing to do is to recondition my engine, but where to start??

Has anyone done their own recondition on a V6 Astina/Lantis/323f? What parts/tools will I need? If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great! :D

[Chronos]

well when i get my 2.5 in i'm going to be selling my 2.0.... only got 60,000 on it :)

i suppose freight to NZ would be expensive... if it wasn't, could be cheaper than doing a reco :) hehe

[LantisV6 NZ]

Hmmm... thats a good idea!! But I think shipping would be a good $300 on top of what you want for your engine!

How about you just give it to me... :wink:

Depends on how much a recon would actually cost though... I'm guessing that it wouldn't be more then $1000 if I do it myself (my poor car!!) or $1500 done by a garage...

[BigMal]

Why not take this as a chance to upgrade to the 2.5
instead of rebuilding the 2.0L.
If the compression is fine then you can change the seals
without rebuilding the motor. It is a hard job but only
affects the heads.

Mal

[sirex]

Dude, there is a lot of V6 Lantis's crusing through Wellington at the moment, so surely there must be a few wrecked ones out there. I would reconmend a complete engine swap, cause a recon will be much more expensive.

You only need a partial recondition and at my guess that is likely to cost you atleast $2500NZ. I know somebody who recently paid $3500NZ for a partial recon on a Daihatsu Cherard and that is only a 3 cylinder, 1 litre engine.

[BigMal]

Makes Dans 5K seem less expensive now doesn't it.
Like I said before the seals can be done by itself get
a quote first to see how dear/cheap it is first.

Regards

Mal

[Rupewrecht]

i was told i'd be looking at at least $3k for a rebuild to standard - that's why i went and did the big upgrade instead...

[Cosmo Dude]

If it's only the valve stem seals then they can be replaced without ripping the engine apart.
The valve stem seals can be replaced with the heads intact. Filling the cylinder with comperessed air will hold the valves closed while you (or your mechanic) do the job.
Snap-on has the tool.

[LantisV6 NZ]

Dude, there is a lot of V6 Lantis's crusing through Wellington at the moment, so surely there must be a few wrecked ones out there
Nice thinking... But I've talked to a few wreckers and aparently they are VERY hard to come by! It would be easier finding an STI WRX engine :x

I've been told that it would cost about $2000 for a full recondition (Hutt City Auto's) so thats a bit better the $3500!!


If it's only the valve stem seals then they can be replaced without ripping the engine apart
Is there more then one seal on the valves? All I know is that my car is leaking coolent and my compression is fine so it might the the valve stem seals... How much would a mechanic charge me to replace them?


Thanks for the advice guys! I'd be lost without Astinagt.com :wink:

[Chronos]

well if youre keen i;d only be looking at about $1000 (aussie) for my engine... plus shipping of course... the only thing is, its not brand new like a reco would be (well sorta :) ) but i reckon by then it will have about 70,000k's... not bad nevertheless

[pr1mo]

didnt one of the MX6 guys get a KLZE and gearbox delivered for $2200 from new zealand?!?!

cheers mike

[Chronos]

2200 was just the engine, and anyway, the place he got it from have no more in stock

[LantisV6 NZ]

Well I got quoted $1200 for a KL-ZE from somewhere in NZ (not sure where, cant remember!!) but it was out of an Auto MX6...

Would the auto have any less power then the manual? Could I just bolt up this engine to my manual box even though its from an auto MX6?

[Aaron]

From what I've read Lantis they're all the same in the physical sense.. the ECU may be different though which would cause problems.

How about a 'regualr' 121Kw KL instead?

[Chronos]

wow.. thats cheap... can't be in good condition for that much... can it?

[Cosmo Dude]

How much would a mechanic charge me to replace them?


It took two amatures about 3 hours to do the job on a 351 clevo (16 valves). The V6 has 24 of the little beasties and limited access to the rear bank.
Would cost more and a mechanic is best to ask, have the heads removed and reconditioned. Still cheaper than full rebuild and option of a little head work :D :D :D

[BigMal]

Do you have to take the head off to change the stems. I thought just
take the cams out was enough.

Mal

[Cosmo Dude]

The valve seals can be replaced without removing the head, only trick is to keep the valves closed while the springs are removed.
When we did it we had an adaptor that screwed inplace of the spark plug and connected to an air-compressor (I think it came from snap-on, I don't know the cost).

If compression is good then changing the stem seals or re-conditioning the heads may be less pressure on the budget :)

Rod

[LantisV6 NZ]

Well that engine came with a 6 month warrenty! So it must be working pretty well... :)

[Chronos]

****.... might get it myself if you don't want it... would you mind giving me some contact info for them? if you want it, thats ok...

[LantisV6 NZ]

Sorry dude, the email from the guy with the motor is on my work PC... I'll let you know who it is first thing monday morning... 8)

[Chronos]

thanks heaps man.. thats like $1080 aussie :)

[LantisV6 NZ]

Hey Chronos, I've forwarded on the email I got about the engine for $1200NZ... Hope it helps :D

[LantisV6 NZ]

Just rang up New Zealand Car Parts and they have a KL-ZE in stock for $1500NZ... 8)

www.nzcp.co.nz