Well frankly my dear.... I think its STUFFED!!!

[geoff]

Well, Irontite almost worked but not quite. The smoke disappeared almost immediately but it has continued to blow a small amount of water out of the radiator, so its off to the mechanic I go I guess.
New head is $895 plus gaskets on Trade Me. I think thats where I'm heading unfortunately.
Normally I would just junk the car but dammit...... I kinda like my MU

[suza2]

Hi, Shop around for a head. I am just replacing mine and found that I could get a bare head for $450 and a complete for $850.

[geoff]

Hi Suza2, where did you get yours?

[justinw]

Some of the cheap heads are not bolt on. They may need some work on them such as lapping valves in etc. The cheap one I bought had to have some work done on it. But maybe that was my machinists being pedantic.

[geoff]

Hi Justinw , thats what worries me.

The one on TM shows valves already installed so I assume its a straight bolt-in.

There was also one for $1400 which came with new Valves installed, glowplugs, injectors, cambelt, gaskets, oil , and oil and fuel filters as well. Thats seems an excellent deal.

[geeves]

Considering new injectors on the 3.1 are about 600 and glowplugs 50 a piece thats a good deal

[suza2]

With any bare head it is best to get the valves seated by a an engine reconditor because not all valves will have the exact same angle.

[suza2]

Considering new injectors on the 3.1 are about 600 and glowplugs 50 a piece thats a good deal

I must have got a good deal on my new set $22 each

[geoff]

So, this is a link for the $1400 deal. Injectors are recond not new.

What do you think?


http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 900835.htm

[geeves]

I would be asking if its a genuine isuzu head or a copy but otherwise it still looks to be a good deal

[geoff]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and the old girl is in ther shop as we speak. Turns out there is a tiny crack between the valves on the #4 cylinder which my mech believes is the cause of the problems.
The good new is that the bores are good, it already has new waterpump, cambelt, tensioner and pulleys so shouldnt set me back too many pingers..........


YEEEEEHAAAA

[mulover]

Untill next time!!!!!!

[geoff]

ARRRRRGHH...........****fingers crossed and sayin a spell against mulovers hex*****


Its got a 2yr warranty tho, mind you that just means it will last 2years and 2 days.............AAAARRRGGGHHHH

[geeves]

Replace all your water hoses if you dont know there age. All the good books say replace every 6 years so yours are probably double use by date. If a hose blows you can seal it with the warrentee card as thats all it will be good for

[geoff]

Yeah, I went over that with the mechanic yesterday Geeves. Most of the hoses were positively crunchy so ge's gonna replace them. trouble is, where do you stop. The vehicle only cost $2k and by the time I'm finished with this and tires gonna be double that lol

[geeves]

The vehicle may of cost you 2k but what's it really worth once in good nic? What condition is it in. For a 96 wizard to cost 2k I would expect very high mileage and quite rough. Typically in Wellington they get 7-10k in the dealers for nice ones.
Try going to www.carjam.co.nz and type in your rego. You get a report on your wagon plus at the bottom you get an estimate of what an average car like yours would sell at Turners auctions which is a wholesale price.
Also everything you fix wont need fixing again. I had to make this decision a few years ago with the bighorn. Its hard justifying spending 1600 fixing a car which in good nic will only be worth 2k and it aint ever going to qualify as good nic again.

[geoff]

Externally its quite tidy apart from two little dings and I mean little, apart from one on the fr guard that I could just push out if so inclined.
Mileage is about 297000km. Interior is mint. Based on the other MU's etc that I looked at I reckon about 3-4 grand, but I brought it for a club car so in a few months I doubt I would be able to give it away lol.

I found a pic of it from the recent club day..............

[geoff]

In the photo I've got a sack over my head and following my sons instructions by radio. That was one of the more unsettling things I've ever had to do

[KIWIINGENUITY]

I just bought a second hand head for 110 dollars with valves,injectors and glow plugs, second hand but good nic. great deal. www.te.co.nz . trade and exchange. You can do the work your self with the workshop manual and the ryt amount of patients. good luck !

[geoff]

Cheers mate but job has been done. I had to give it to a mechanic as I am travelling around in a motor home and simply dont have the tools for the job. Looking for a set of glow-plugs though if'n ya wanna sell some cheap!