Cylinder Head Rebuild: Cost & Process

Hello,
'Now that it's gotten a bit colder again, my AFN engine is making the same rattling and clicking noises during cold starts as it did last winter. Only this time, it's much louder and takes longer! It sounds quite dramatic, and the neighbors are woken up by it! I now have 256,000 km on the clock, and I'm considering having the entire cylinder head replaced or refurbished. What do you think makes more sense? The hydraulic lifters were replaced 40,000 km ago, with only slight improvements. How do other AFN or 1Z drivers with roughly the same mileage experience this?'

Hi,

Were the exchange hydro parts genuine VW replacement parts, or were they various cheap sets?
Unfortunately, I don't have any personal experience with the differences, because mine have never been there.

Best regards, Rainer.

It was a FEBI set, but from e***!

Hi Boro,

What kind of oil do you use in your engine?

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Micha"

Always use Liqui Moly 5W-40, or another 5W-40 oil.

I'd like to know what other TDI engines sound like at high mileage! There are a lot of mechanics who are busy, so I think this is something that will eventually happen. When the engine is warm, everything sounds normal. However, recently I drove about 100 km very fast, and afterwards, a noticeable, light ticking sound was heard in the engine, even when it was warm. But it went away again. Otherwise, I also use a different brand of fuel in the other tank, but I don't think it's related to that.

I'll probably have the cylinder head replaced during the 270,000 km timing belt change. Does anyone have any ideas where I could find one cheaply? I don't trust the mileage readings listed on E***.

Affordable?

I would prefer to go with a local specialist. That way, you can hold them accountable if they mess up.

We just bought a new cylinder head for a T3 TD JX and had the valves replaced. It cost 590 EUR, and we received the head ready for assembly, including adjusted valves.
To the best of my knowledge, the head alone cost 290 EUR.

I don't know to what extent TDI heads are traded differently.

But actually, they are quite similar.

m,

Okay, something like 150-200 euros. I didn't want to buy a new engine head given the mileage, because things are already breaking down from time to time! The flex pipe is also starting to crumble. A replacement engine can be found for as little as 800 euros.

UI, flexible pipe!

That's the gist of it... But some people might also add a few individual ones.

They weren't willing to offer "any kind of guarantee," so I went with the original VW... and after 23 months, I had to get a new one (they were obligated to).

However, the AFN has been around for a long time, so it should last longer...

m;

Hi.

Quote:

Well, something like 150-200 €

.
I have my doubts that you'll get anything worthwhile if you only have enough money to buy gas three times.
In my opinion, you either do something properly or not at all.

"When exchanging ZK (Zero-Knowledge proofs), the following are required at a minimum:"
- Install new valve guides.
- Old valves can be reused safely, but please have the valve seats ground. The valve seats should be in good condition, and the sealing surfaces of the valves, of course, as well.
- new valve stem seals (please do not damage them during installation).
- New camshaft seal, you can probably reuse the old camshaft.
- Install new, high-quality hydraulic lifters.
- Reasonable gasket surface, meaning it's been skimmed; cracks between the valves and the injector, etc. = discard the cylinder head. It's a shame about the work put into the installation because you don't know how deep the cracks go beforehand.
- completely new stud bolts.

If you choose not to implement any of the options listed above, you can simply continue using the existing ZK system.

Best regards, Rainer.