S3 AMK Head

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brm180

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Folks.
I think my cyl head gasket has gone as coolant level dropping and white smoke from exhaust and the engine has done 140k. Am i better off replacing the cyl head with a lower mileage one as ive been reading online about AMK heads cracking as they get older. If so apart from AMK and BAM do any other heads fit ie from tt or cupra etc.
My other option is sell as is as i have the chance to buy another s3 with a rebuilt engine (forged), new suspension and every other weekness on these cars has been addressed.
What would my car be worth as is..
Ive spent 2k last year on new wishbones etc, replaced all vacuum hoses including tip, new cats and ive just replaced the downpipe. Ive owned my car for about 8yrs, 2001 silver, black an silver interior, bose 6cd head unit , sunroof and fsh. Bodily wise it needs front arches sorting an the wheels could be done with a refurb and a gew other bits n pieces. Whats the best ootion..sell as is and buy tge other s3 or repair..

Cheers
 
Hello mate sorry to hear about your car niggles.
I have a s3 8l bam on a 53 plate my head cracked 2 years ago which is mainly to do with the heat buildup on these old ko4 turbo..any traverse 1.8t head will do but obviously try getting it off a low miler but sellers lie all the time so look at the condition and go from there..
In the end I gave the job to awesome gti who done alot of work on my car over 5 weeks or so bill came to 3k and my replacement head which they provided cost £250..
How much coolant are you losing is it drastic.
I have white smoke also but I'm sure it's turbo seals.
Anyhow let us know if your stuck.
 
I would check it first, you can get the head gasket kit, water pump and head bolts for about £110 - probably worth looking at that before buying another car. my car is a wreck too, I reckon it's worth about £1k - no-one cares what you spent on it to keep it on the road that doesn't add to the value, if the suspension is worth more than the car, take it off and sell the rest without the suspension.
 
Hi..

Not to fussed about losing the money that ive spent on it as thats the joys of owning a car. Not to sure what removing the head and replacing gaskets , new water pump, timing belt etc would cost. Ie if im looking at say 2k id be as well selling as is and buying another s3 thats had all the work done...

Cheers
 
I changed my head gasket myself at the same time as adding a 3inch DP,
you need a head gasket kit, timing belt, water pump and head bolts. ~£150(ish)?

why not try the "metal seal" head gasket repair fluid @ ~£40 first, at least if it "heals the engine" (for a couple of months) you know it was the head gasket.

to be fair i'm at the end of my tether with this car, it's been fun.. but too expensive, when you can go everyday to Thorpe Park for less cash.
 
Hi Stuart.

I know what you mean. Every year its something else..ive got receipts for thousands for servicing and maintenance..you fix one thing then its something else... Ive had oettinger, gti engineering and br motorsport mk2 golfs i even had an audi s2 but i think the s3 has cost me more overall.
At the min i also have a mk5 r32 an a mk7 golf and tiuch wood they have both been trouble free. The s3 is a good car but as they get older you end up spending more and more. I may try the metal seal and see how it goes.. It is maybe time to ler her go and buy another one as i actually quite like them..

Cheers
 
Folks.
Thanks for the advice you have given me with my s3 but i have listed it on ebay as i am possibly going to buy another one later this year.

Thanks...brm180
 
brm180 said:
Folks.
Thanks for the advice you have given me with my s3 but i have listed it on ebay as i am possibly going to buy another one later this year.

Thanks...brm180
Click to expand...
EBay link? Someone here may want to buy it/part it out.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
Hi Stuart...i think you are right...next car will have to be a different colour i think....
 
I was all about the Nogaro - but now with my first black car and I'm liking it - but they get dirty when it rains let alone drive and birds target them.
 
I had a ming blue audi s2, great colour in the sunlight...
Btw loads of interest on the s3 , it hadnt even been on ebay an hour and i had someone asking for a buy it now price.
Good to see demand is high even if they are going to break it.

Cheers
 
Hi Stuart. Was close to the reserve but not quite...88 watchers though.
Can someone tell me what cylinder heads are interchangeable with my engine..for example can i use a tt 180 or 225 cyl head or whats the best option.
Im quite happy to stick the car into my garage and source all that i need. Ive replaced everything else so why not the head as well. Any advice appreciated..

Cheers
 
if it is a 180 head you will need to do something with cams as I believe AMK and BAM heads have shims under the exhaust valve springs to try and hold them shut, but you have you own cams and valves (assuming they are not the issues)

Your car looks immaculate - the wings and door blades alone are about £1000 to replace - I broke mine because there was a lot wrong with it (more than just the clutch), but I reclaimed the parts I bought.

why do you need a new head - is it cracked?
 
Not actually sure if its cracked or not i just assumed it was. I had the engine pressure tested last year when all the vacuum pipes were replaced as the oil pressure warning kept on coming on...it was a relay..Can the cyl head be tested or checked to see if its cracked as im going to have to take the head off or the gasket anyway.... As for the wings they do have some corrosion...i cleaned and hoovered and washed the car on sat thinking it was going to go...
 
It could still go if you're desperate to get rid. Just contact the highest bidder. I thought eBay used to offer it to the highest bidder if their maximum bid was over the reserve.
If you're considering getting the head done out in some of that liquid metal head repair (follow instructions carefully) if that solves the problem (even temporarily) you know it was something to do with the head. I ran my car with that stuff in for 6 months
 
Morning,

Yeah that is an option as the 2nd chance offer is still on ebay...I might email and see what he says...
 
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