UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi, I've got my eye on a couple of mk3 Polo's that are going cheap because the head gasket has gone. Replacing the head gasket won't be a problem and skimming the head, if necessary..........but just wondered if there was something I should be aware of as to why the head gaskets have gone in the first place. Are they prone to going or is it more likely the engine has been cooked and/or not looked after.

Just concerned that I may pick up a 'bargain' only to find I have a can of worms on my hands thats going to cost more in the long run to fix.

TIA

They do go it's one of those things really. A lot of people get rid of them due to the cost of it being done at a garage.

Hmmmm, well this strikes me as a pretty good buy:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

Only 1000cc but would be fine for the misses and looking at the poster in the window he obviously isn't expecting much more than £100

Great buy. Go for it

I missed it but there are others about so I don't think it'll be long before a bargain comes my way. Went for £100 in the end too!

well if you're prepped to do a few hours work removing head and skimming if needed, and put in the money for a new gasket set (cam cover, head itself, exhaust manifold if you can't unbolt the downpipe), head bolts and maybe a new cambelt (if you somehow can't free it from the cam sprocket without ruining it), plus oil and probably coolant........then go for it

though you might well have trouble getting it home, always remember that.
and do give them a bloody good going over before putting your money on the table, as although a used polo can be oh so very right if you pick wisely, there's enough stuff that can and does go wrong that could make it oh so very wrong. Usual wearable things like clutch cable, clutch, brake discs/pads/shoes/cylinders/pipes, tyres, exhaust, shocks, bearings etc, (not to mention oil/plugs/filters/leads/dizzy if you're pedantic) along with a few specific odds and sods like the fuel tank filler pipe. be a bastard when it comes to rust as well - arches and edge of tailgate/doors are pretty much the only acceptable place.