Corsa-B.uk - Vauxhall, Opel and Holden Corsa B Owners Club

Day Three

Pistons seem to be in good condition and dont move when pushed, pistion rings thought to be in good condition so didnt replace the rings. this ment didnt have to waste time removing the pistons and risk damaging a bolt head etc. Gave pistion head a good clean down as there was some coke and carbon build up.







New brake discs and pads - painted...




Painted up parts...

Painted with blue coating and the engine block and alot of parts in the engine bay were treated with High Heat Matt Black





Rebuilding the engine...

I was very lucky and i got the Head back around 2pm today, it was skimed and tested, with the valves done and new steam seals.
On the eninge we added All new gaskets, new water pump, new thermostat, new chain, new cogs, new bolts, new clutch.












All thats left is to add the new clutch and re-attach the flywheel, drop the engine in and line it up with the gear box. re-attach the engine mount. reconnect al wires and parts. Add Oil and Coolant and start it up. Fingers crossed it kicks into life without a hitch.

Not bad for 3 Days work. working from 9am - 6pm the 4th day should see it finished with a bita luck.

id have changed the rings, just cause there not movement in piston doesnt mean theyre good. its only a extra half days work to take them out clean them and fit new rings, also you could have checked state of bearings too. would get much better performance on new rings, good job so far thou

Day 4

Start off by saying had a problem today. Small water leak coming from the new water pump.
i think the seal that is between the water pump and the outside timing cover plate is not sealing right. so im geting a steady stream when i try and add the coolant. Was almost ready to start the car and see if it started ! Such a set back today. Got fed up so thought best to sleep on it and start again 2mora.

Heres the pics...

Got the engine droped into place after a bit of play got it lined up with the gear box...




Checking how the new painted parts look while connecting all the wires and pipes back together, also got the back drums painted...





The problem leak with the water pump, its leaking just to the right of the top left bolt in this picture...





going to remove the water pump tomorow and inspect it. And try use another new rubber gasket but this time with some blue liquid gasket around it a bit to help hold it in place and hopefully seal any extra leaking points at the same time.

Any other tips on this folks ? the oil held without a prob

Day 5

Got the water pump leak sorted using a new rubber gasket and liquid silicone gasket to create a good seal.

fired up the car and it wasnt ticking over,, forgot to plug in one of the ecu cables ... DOH !

Car fired up without a problem untill i noticed it was leaking fuel from one of the fuel injectors so spent ages messing around with rubber O rings trying to sort it out.

Took car a short distance around the house to check all gears were working including brakes and to check it was driving ok without any leaks.

Mmm,

tried to start car this morning. turn the key for electics, then went to turn the last notch to start the engine. It sorta just turned then stoped as if it was stuck. i done this 1 more time. then checked under the bonnet. everything seemed to be in order just wiggled a few of the wires and sockets to make sure everything connected. tried car a 3rd time and it started up. took it for a 5min spin. car started to build up temp from the lowest point 90c to half way which is about 95c then kept going up to about 100c just shy of the red section then started to fall back to around 95c then back up to 102c i didnt like how it was geting soo hot so i went straight home and parked up.

found one earth wire not fully tight down so ive tightned it.
there was no coolant which was odd, but that explains the over heating this morning.

only thing im concerned about is sometimes when i start the car, it turns on fine but i hear a bit of a Clunk which i cant pinpoint.

dunno dude, but fair play nice engine rebuild

Nice job man, looks mega clean now, surprising what a lick of paint can do

liking all the sprayed bits mate was thinking of doing my cam cover too...good work with the rebuild too

miles123 wrote:liking all the sprayed bits mate was thinking of doing my cam cover too...good work with the rebuild too

some of them need a good toutch up after the water was leaking and the fuel was leaking from the injectors.

i think i might get my mechanic to give it a once over and inspection for some peace of mind to make sure everything is in good order.

fair play. better safe than sorry i suppose

miles123 wrote:fair play. better safe than sorry i suppose

yea just a few things that are giving me a nervous feeling in my stomach. I have faith that the work that was done was a great job, but its the feeling of doing it yourself for the 1st time you cant help but think .. is it safe ? i know i shoudnt but i keep doubting myself. The strange non start and clunk when starting and the lack of coolant this morning is worrying. if theres no coolant 2mora morning its gota be leaking somewhere. i just hope it isnt the timing cover gasket. i even think the oil sump gasket is seeping out oil slightly but a quick oil drain and few screws off and i can fix that no problem. apart from that its driving like new !! i can tell its able to breath easyer with all that gunk out of it.

was doing my sums there,

Give or take the rebuild set me back just over £400

head skim and valves
new head gasket kit
timing chain kit
water pump and thermostat
new brakes and discs
clutch kit
new head bolts
new oil and oil filter
new crank seals
paint
De-gunked and clean up ( piston heads, head, block etc )
piston rings (new in box, i didnt use them)

if im able to send the piston rings back to Autovaux i will have saved myself £60 which means the total spend will have only been £340 !

done a good job £400 is really cheap! my rebuild is over £1000 so far

checked the coolant today, all gone !

dont know where its going to one of the gaskets must not be holding. quick check of the pipes and they seem to be fine.
theres a light skimm of white on the oil cap again this time its white and not gunky yellow. This is not Good, i feel

dont know were to begin with this.