replacement engine

[tat1959]

I have just bought a 1997 1.4 engined Polo and have got a large oil leak coming from the back of the engine. It is coming from under the inlet manifold, but I cann,t see from where, I am prosuming that it is coming from the head gasket. On pricing up the parts and the price of skimming the head it is going to be just as cheap to put a secound hand engine in. Can any one tell me if the engine can be removed without the gearbox or do they have to be taken out as a unit. Any help or advice on the best way to do the job would be very helpful and welcome. Thanks Stuart

[geeforty]

engine and box come out as one, remove front panel, hoist engine up and forwards.

To be honest if it's just the head gasket then on one of those engines its a doddle, and far quicker to do than change the engine.  couple of hours to remove - skim £25, gasket set (only buy genuine / reinz) make sure you change the valve guide oil seals while you are there and clean up the valves, and put back together should cost about £60 in bits and skimming plus your time.

Nigel.

[tat1959]

Thanks for the information. As the clutch also needs to be done and I located a good engine that has had a recent clutch, just doing the head gasket is not worth it.  Stuart