AirSpeed VW Community Forums

Technical => Engine Tech Forum => Topic started by: Stevie on October 31, 2004, 02:57:26 PM

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Stevie on October 31, 2004, 02:57:26 PM

4 months ago i did a full rebuild on a 1600cc dp and now realizing the mistake of buying rebuilt rods.

On friday i was driving, turned a corner click click click stop.
after 20 minutes of cursing at the car and almost in tears, and about ready to dump the entire project, i got it towed home.

so I ripped out the motor today and removed the heads and realized one of my pistons wasn't moving, so i removed that cylinder and found out the rod self-distructed, now i have a huge gouge in my block and cylinder and a shattered piston plus what else i can't see.
so moral of the story, don't be cheap cause your poor, it will only cost you more in the long run.

and i'm still poor and need to come up with money quick to get my car on the road asap.

thanx for reading  :(
hope you are all having a good weekend

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Cameron on October 31, 2004, 03:48:03 PM

I disagree!

Rebuilt stock connecting rods can give you excellent \"bang for the buck\". Stock 311 con rods are good for 200 hp, and are very reliable. I think it depends on who rebuilt them. Buy Berg GB190, or GB190S, and save yourself lots of money, and headaches.

Who rebuilt your rods?

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Stevie on October 31, 2004, 10:39:01 PM

i'm not sure who built them but i bought them from airspeed,
and they were in a stock engine so i don't see why they failed.

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: James Buchan on November 01, 2004, 07:01:22 AM

I run stock rods with upgraded bolts without any problem - as have thousands of other people. Do some more digging, you'll likely find another problem that caused the failure.

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Cameron on November 01, 2004, 08:28:51 AM

Quote

Do some more digging, you'll likely find another problem that caused the failure.

Good point James. Most of the rod failures I have seen were caused by oiling issues. Eg: lack of oil.

How do the rod bearings look? On all rods?

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Chad M on November 01, 2004, 09:38:38 AM

Were they the 'race rods' or rebuilt stock rods from Airspeed?  

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: James Buchan on November 01, 2004, 09:54:57 AM

Quote

and they were in a stock engine so i don't see why they failed.

Doesn't matter if it's a stock engine if it wasn't assembled properly. Who built the engine, what kind of bearings were used, oil pressure tested, block clean prior to assembly? Was is broken in properly???

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Bruce on November 01, 2004, 10:56:19 AM

I'm with Cam on this.  I run \"weaker than stock\" stock rods.  I ground the caps to clear the crank and case, which should make them weaker.  I also use the stock 9mm bolts.  Good above 7k rpm.

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: Stevie on November 01, 2004, 06:42:57 PM

alright well i built the engine with my dads help,
umm everything was assembled correctly and perfectly clean,
not sure what bearings i used. and i havn't completly ripped apart the blockso i havn't checked the rest of the bearings.

but either way whats done is done, most of the engine is toast, so anyone wanna give up a 1600 for cheap :)

Title: Rebuilt Rods
Post by: James Buchan on November 01, 2004, 08:10:51 PM

Marcel aka Volksbug has one for 200 bucks right now.