andyk3090

100k on a 2007, paper gaskets now replaced with steel ones,plus a new timing chain, tensioner, guides and water pump. Hopefully enough to keep it running a while longer.

Just fitted new gaskets on my sons 350HR today. Started first time and the rattle at low revs has gone. Oil pressure is back to normal. Obviously the low rev rattle was due to the low pressure to the variable valve timing. As you can see, the gaskets were well blown out.

If you are having to pay and not through insurance. I can recommend an excellent place near Epworth North Lincolnshire. They do a brilliant job and their prices are lower than you will get elsewhere. I have had a few cars done and my last workplace started using them for their work too. www.juddpaintsolutions.co.uk Andy

Hello and a warm welcome

Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully all will go smoothly once I have all the parts (and they don't go missing in transit again)... Good luck, take your time with the silicone and fitting the front cover to make sure the lower crank seal seats correctly. Many thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated, I agree more haste, less speed...

Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully all will go smoothly once I have all the parts (and they don't go missing in transit again)...

Hi, doing ours in a couple of weeks. Can I ask did you take the front panel, bumper and crash bar off to do the work, or just take the radiator and fans out? Thanks Andy

At least there was no argument, they have put another in the post today with a new tracking number. Can't complain about customer service, some UK companies would have said I would have to wait for an investigation to be carried out or claim of the courier no doubt... The original bag was ripped open at the top then poorly taped up. I wonder if it was customs that did this.

A bit of bad luck may delay the repair. The Jiffy bag with timing chain arrived from the USA had a rip in the top. It contained the packing slip, but no chain.... Hopefully it will get resolved, but means another 2 week wait. Andy

It has cost me around £400 for parts and the usual I have seen is around 10 hours garage labour form other posts. So I would have thought around £750 labour and £500 parts at a garage depending on where you go. That is including £250 for the timing chain and water pump parts while I am doing the gaskets.

We ended up going for something else. We picked up a 2007 HR for just over £6k but has low oil pressure. I have another post going on this having asked for advice. It doesn't look too bad a job to do, so parts are sourced and we will tackle it in mid September probably. Fingers crossed. Thanks Andy

Yeah, only paid £6k so have some cash to play with. We put aside £1k for any work needing doing, it is coming in at around £400.00 for all parts and that is also doing the timing chain and water pump as a precaution. It will be good experience for my son as well as I stand over him barking instructions while drinking coffee...

I only went there once with my sons Vectra to get a cam belt changed. They over tightened it and it whined on its return. We took it back and they said it was normal and would bed in. HAHAHA. He went to work at RAF Lossiemouth in the north of Scotland and back and it was exactly the same. They were reluctant to take it back in but we wouldn't back down and they put it right. Only time I have ever asked them to do anything.

Many thanks, sounds the way to go. Andy

The pictures are great thanks. It looks a very clear view from the front. Was the area in front of the engine just clear because the radiator was removed or had they removed other items such as the crash panel and front panel etc? Just wondering how much I can get away with to minimise the strip down for the timing chain removal. Many thanks Andy Mitz and his team at Cougar Store did the work, but I'm pretty sure they removed crash panel and everything to get in there. OK thanks, I guess I will just keep removing bits until I get in...

The pictures are great thanks. It looks a very clear view from the front. Was the area in front of the engine just clear because the radiator was removed or had they removed other items such as the crash panel and front panel etc? Just wondering how much I can get away with to minimise the strip down for the timing chain removal. Many thanks Andy

Colin 96K on the clock, no oil leaks as the oil leaks internally back in to the sump. No pictures as yet, I hope to take some when I get round to doing it, No need to change the timing chain although I might do it as it is off. Only reason is the plates over the gaskets are behind the timing chain, hence it has to come off.

if you can get your hands on a Halfords trade card, you get very good discount on service parts to fit yourself. far better prices than Eurocarparts etc.

The replacement gasket for the oil galleries (which are the ones that blow) are now reinforced rather than just paper gaskets. Reading on the American websites for these HR engines, it looks like most peoples will go this way with mileage/age. Depends how stressed I get doing it, I may take some photos of the strip down and repair as I go along. Not sure if it is just the HR that has the oil pressure guage, I thought they all had one.

With engine up to temperature it is just sitting about 5psi when ticking over. At 2000 rpm it is about 15 psi and at higher revs around 25 - 30psi. I recon it is about 50% of what it should be. Regards Andy

The 07 we picked up has the low oil pressure on the HR engine. (I know, how did I miss it on the test drive...). As everything else is spot on and it runs fine (and based on the low price paid) we have decided to keep it and do the oil gallery gaskets. Hopefully this is all it is, based on the well known issues with this engine. Parts are ordered and will probably get it done in the next few weeks. Any tips or hints in doing this job will be gratefully received. I have done a few timing belts/chain replacements in the past and it seams manageable looking at the manual and other posts. Thanks for any advice given. Regards Andy

He will do when he stops driving round in the car all the time...

I have just paid for him to go on my insurance on my insignia just for when he needs a 5 seater/estate car. Im not silly, he can now borrow my car, but will have to leave his 350Z with me while he has it. I have told him to come and borrow the insignia any time he likes.

Hello and welcome, funnily enough I have just sorted out a 350Z for my son that we picked up yesterday and it was owned previously by somebody in the Spalding area. Hope you enjoy your car. Andy

Car collected this morning, drives like a dream so very happy. Pity about the weather driving it home, but it goes very well... Only down side was £91.00 to fill it with V-Power. Andy