Polo Cycinder head replace

[micky2000]

Hello,
I've got a VW Polo 1.2E, Recently it suffered a misfire on cylinder 3 I was advised to replace coil pack so I did. Then more recently I began misfiring again I took it to VW for a service as it was due and this it what they said:
"carried out compression test
check due to missfire.On all cylinders number 3 cylinder
verry low on compression 05.3 bar should be around 15-16
bar.We reccomend cylinder head removal to check valves
for movement. may require cylinder head overhaul.and
refitted with new gaskets and seals.
carried out compression
check due to missfire.On all cylinders number 3 cylinder
verry low on compression 05.3 bar should be around 15-16
bar.We reccomend cylinder head removal to check valves
for movement. may require cylinder head overhaul.and
refitted with new gaskets and seals."
Now for all the work the quoted me an astromomical amount of just shy of 12hundred!
Does anyone here know if i'm being ripped off? how long should a job like this take? Does anyone know a trustworthy place around wolverhampton where I could get a second opinion? Is this the best course of action? This is the first time i've come across a problem like this and faced a bill so large...

[GavHT]

Sorry to hear you've got such expensive problems.
A cylinder head removal is a big piece of work and while not technically demanding, it will be a lot of labour. And changing valves properly is no straight-forward task.
Their price looks not unexpected but definately shop around, like anything. Or give it a try yourself

[Crasher]

This is a very common problem on the 6 and 12 valve 3 cylinder. A new VW exchange head is £500 or £600 respectively so taking into account the extremely recommend fitment of the timing chain update set, gaskets, bolts, coolant, filter, plugs, labour etc that price is about spot on. A VAG specialist would probably knock about £200 off that and if they still used all genuine parts this would not invalidate the two year warranty (labour included) that a VAG exchange cylinder head carries.

[micky2000]

Thanks guys, i've phoned around some local independant garages and getting quotes averaging £450 (A Third of the VW price!), i know the parts won't all be VW genuine but the vehicle isn't in warrenty anymore do it won't make much difference. Still cash that i dont want to part with over the festive period.

[Crasher]

That won't include changing the cam chain and tensioners, this must be done. If it jumps later it will bend valves and all have to come apart again at your expense. Please do not shop on price alone, all that will happen is that the job will not get done properly. Ask these people if they give a 2 year warranty on the work. The car being in or out of warranty doesn’t make any difference.

[micky2000]

Nice one Crasher you sure know your stuff. Thanks for the advice. I found a place which looks reputable that speacialise in engine reconditioning. They think it could be a valve replacement but they say they'll check it out first. That's the problem because it sounds like it could be a variety of faults with different resolutions. From what i gather it will definatley involve the removal and re-fitting of the cylinder head.

[Crasher]

It will be a burnt exhaust valve on number 3.

[micky2000]

It will be a burnt exhaust valve on number 3.

Crasher,
I know it's difficult to guess without seeing the car and condition etc, but if it is a burnt exhaust valve and therefore a matter of replacing the valve and all the work that goes with that. What would you say is a reasonable price to get work carried out inc parts and lab? I'm asking purley becuase i'm not sure whats a good price, and i'm taking into account what you said earlier to make sure the work is guaranteed and all necessary work is done.
Thanks again.

[Crasher]

The only way I would deal with it is to fit an exchange VAG head. If you do one valve, you can be sure the rest are not far behind. If you take into account the parts and time required to strip and rebuild the head with new valves compared to the cost of a VW head, rebuilding the original is shear stupidity and is bound to come back to haunt you.