2001 6VE1 in a 1999 VX

[majork]

After having the Isuzu Dealer check out the situation..decided to go with a remann engine

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for a remann or reconditioned 6VE1...preferably a 2001 edition

Interesting story behind the head gasket.....lab test shows antifreeze in oil....but there is no perceptible loss of coolant in the radiator...

Pressure test on engine was good at Dealer

BUT.......

mechanic did an interesting test where with engine running and radiator cap was off...he high revved engine causing coolant to geyser out of the radiator..

His claim was that this was compression gas being injected back into the cooling system from a leak in the head gasket.....this squirting would not be caused by the water pump...

Apparently the head gasket has enough integrity such that under cylinder pressure gas is forced out.....but coolant is not getting in to any great extent yet...but this a deteriorating situation...

Looking back now at the TSBs for the 6VE1...there were 2 that changed the spec for the torqing of the head bolts and intake manifold bolts....not being aware I never had these addressed....may have contributed to the head gasket deterioration over time....

[MrCrowley]

I wont disagree with the mechanic, but how many knowledgeable ones has anyone ever dealt with? Anyone can propose a hypothesis. Not many can prove them true with factual data. I have had too many run-ins with crystallized brake fluid, glazed rotors needing replaced, dealer oil is better, voided warranty for modifications, etc. than I care to think about.

I wont argue that what he says isn't happening... but wouldn't all of the fuel, air, carbon, fumes, oil, etc. be comressed into the cooling system also? The last time I checked there is more pressure in the cylinder chambers than in the cooling system. Can they check the coolant system for oil or fuel also?
Good Luck!

PHYSICS- IT'S THE LAW

[MZ-N10]

i would also disagree with ur mechanic...if ur head gasket has tat much problem, ur car should get almost no power and u would have problems wiht idle.

[johnnyapollo]

I had an old Peugeot 504 station wagon that had a blown head gasket - the compression would build to the point that the lower radiator hose blew - funny thing is that it would still run fine, just start overheating as the radiator level dropped. Changing out the head gasket fixed the problem and as far as I know the thing is still running (it's been almost 20 years). The gasket blew somewhere between Spartanberg and Knoxville - I think I still ran about 60 miles with it blown and it didn't significantly hurt the motor. Of course that Peugeot motor was like something out of a farming tractor and that might have had something to do with it.

-- John

[majork]

Sounds logical....I am not that much of an expert mechanic to be sure....

But tell me if this is reasonable......Isuzu dealer wants to charge me nearly $7000 to put a factory new engine in......I guess previous negative posts about Isuzu dealers are accurate

$5200 for the new engine plus 18.5 labor hours for R&R....not including taxes and incidental part costs......phew!!!!!! talk about going for the jugular These guys really see us coming dont they...

Of course while telling me this, the dealer proceeds to badmouth every remanned engine company in Southern California...just to close the deal of course......

Does anyone know what a reasonable cost for replacing the head gasket and reconditioning the head SHOULD run...