6.75 engined Bentleys issues?
Discussion
Currently investigating the Bentley range of older cars. Mainly the various Arnage models and the slightly newer Mulsanne so realistically between early 2000s until 2015ish
My main question is around the cylinder head gasket issue. Is that model specific or specific period ie is it all Turbo T or all cars from 2005 to 2008 or whatever.
I'm a little confused so hoping someone can help me understand the issue better.
Plus are there Any other significant issues to check for on the Arnage and Mulsanne models.
Many thanks
My main question is around the cylinder head gasket issue. Is that model specific or specific period ie is it all Turbo T or all cars from 2005 to 2008 or whatever.
I'm a little confused so hoping someone can help me understand the issue better.
Plus are there Any other significant issues to check for on the Arnage and Mulsanne models.
Many thanks
If you join the RREC (rrec.org.uk) you ll find an article in a recent back issue of the Club magazine Spirit & Speed (sometime last winter from memory) which explains the head gasket issue at length.
The other thing to be aware of is cam/tappet wear, which was finally overcome with the move to roller tappets in 2007 ish. By that time the more modern ZF transmission had replaced the GM 4 speed.
Personally I d be just as worried about corrosion, because these cars are shockingly badly painted underneath.
I m in the process of shot blasting the under sills of my 50,000mile 2005 Arnage because the rust is terrible. The rear sub frame, and components on it, are so bad that I ve taken it back to bare metal and have rebuilt the whole thing.
That then enabled visibility of the fuel pump assembly, where most frightening of all was a small steel block which serves to merge the output from the two fuel pumps, and I m certain that if left untreated it would have disintegrated within a couple more years.
It both amuses and infuriates me when I hear people extolling the virtues of Bentley engineering, because some of it is absolute rubbish. VW seem content to use the legacy reputation of Bentley when it suits them, but don't like putting effort, or money, into supporting the more recent 'classics', so some spares can be very difficult to source.
The other thing to be aware of is cam/tappet wear, which was finally overcome with the move to roller tappets in 2007 ish. By that time the more modern ZF transmission had replaced the GM 4 speed.
Personally I d be just as worried about corrosion, because these cars are shockingly badly painted underneath.
I m in the process of shot blasting the under sills of my 50,000mile 2005 Arnage because the rust is terrible. The rear sub frame, and components on it, are so bad that I ve taken it back to bare metal and have rebuilt the whole thing.
That then enabled visibility of the fuel pump assembly, where most frightening of all was a small steel block which serves to merge the output from the two fuel pumps, and I m certain that if left untreated it would have disintegrated within a couple more years.
It both amuses and infuriates me when I hear people extolling the virtues of Bentley engineering, because some of it is absolute rubbish. VW seem content to use the legacy reputation of Bentley when it suits them, but don't like putting effort, or money, into supporting the more recent 'classics', so some spares can be very difficult to source.
Edited by Zulu 10 on Friday 18th July 17:07
Thank you for the reply.
Very interesting what you say about corrosion. Do you think you've been unlucky or that it's probably more common place so I need to get any purchase up on ramps first?
I hear you ref the manufacturers attitude. I've got a 2017 aston and the paint was really quite poorly finished, nothing a bit of time with a DA polisher didnt sort but I'm sure the factory could have done better first time around.
I'll look into the engine side more as per your suggestion as all im.trying to do is establish if there are specific models to avoid !
Very interesting what you say about corrosion. Do you think you've been unlucky or that it's probably more common place so I need to get any purchase up on ramps first?
I hear you ref the manufacturers attitude. I've got a 2017 aston and the paint was really quite poorly finished, nothing a bit of time with a DA polisher didnt sort but I'm sure the factory could have done better first time around.
I'll look into the engine side more as per your suggestion as all im.trying to do is establish if there are specific models to avoid !
I’ve spoken to a well known independent Bentley specialist who remembers visiting the factory when Arnages were still being made, and seeing subframes showing signs of rust before they’d even been fitted to cars, so no, I don’t think I’ve been unlucky.
Also, I’ve got a 2005 Conti GT and the quality of paint on the bits that can’t be seen is shocking, which reinforces my opinion that VW took the decision to cut costs wherever they could.
The number of rusted bolts which I’ve had to cut off suggests to me that no-one was prepared to countenance wasting time on giving each bolt a quick brush with grease before it was fitted, which I find inexcusable on a “hand made” car.
Thankfully I bought my Arnage at auction where the hammer fell at £17,000 for a facelift ‘05 car which at the time had covered less than 50,000 miles.
The cost of undertaking a full rear end rebuilt has not been too onerous because I’ve spent a few hours searching to find the origin of the components so that only where absolutely necessary am I buying parts which arrive in a box marked “Bentley”.
Also, the workshop manuals, illustrated parts catalogues and wiring schematics for the Arnage are all readily available, so if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty, then they can be run for almost sensible money.
Also, I’ve got a 2005 Conti GT and the quality of paint on the bits that can’t be seen is shocking, which reinforces my opinion that VW took the decision to cut costs wherever they could.
The number of rusted bolts which I’ve had to cut off suggests to me that no-one was prepared to countenance wasting time on giving each bolt a quick brush with grease before it was fitted, which I find inexcusable on a “hand made” car.
Thankfully I bought my Arnage at auction where the hammer fell at £17,000 for a facelift ‘05 car which at the time had covered less than 50,000 miles.
The cost of undertaking a full rear end rebuilt has not been too onerous because I’ve spent a few hours searching to find the origin of the components so that only where absolutely necessary am I buying parts which arrive in a box marked “Bentley”.
Also, the workshop manuals, illustrated parts catalogues and wiring schematics for the Arnage are all readily available, so if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty, then they can be run for almost sensible money.
Zulu 10 said:
....also, the workshop manuals, illustrated parts catalogues and wiring schematics for the Arnage are all readily available, so if you re prepared to get your hands dirty, then they can be run for almost sensible money.
Thanks - that's good to know. Been driving Contis for 10 years but frustrated at the lack of manuals (I've got the CDs etc).Lockhouse said:
Thanks - that's good to know. Been driving Contis for 10 years but frustrated at the lack of manuals (I've got the CDs etc).
We may be at crossed purposes, but if you referring to the VW Continental GT, as opposed to the 'proper' Bentley Continental, then all the technical information (i.e. workshop manuals, parts catalogues, circuit diagrams) is available for cars up to 2011 on CD for £30 here: https://www.flyingspares.com/parts-workshop-manual...That said, you may be driving much newer cars, in which case, I think you're correct: there's nothing out there.
(In case anyone wonders: Flying Spares are a well known reputable supplier of RR and B parts, so I can't believe that VW haven't approved them selling copies of IETIS)
Hi
I have owned my 2007 Arnage T for 14 years and it has now done 160,000 miles (possibly a record!).
I am happy to run through maintenance history but think it is best to buy the 07 onwards models with the final gearbox (button on top of gearstick) to avoid head gasket issues. I would suggest that running them for 10 000 miles a year to allow for a budget of 3 to 5 k a year for maintenance. Mine lives outside and has recently had some rust work done on the wheel arches.
I love mine!
Hubert
I have owned my 2007 Arnage T for 14 years and it has now done 160,000 miles (possibly a record!).
I am happy to run through maintenance history but think it is best to buy the 07 onwards models with the final gearbox (button on top of gearstick) to avoid head gasket issues. I would suggest that running them for 10 000 miles a year to allow for a budget of 3 to 5 k a year for maintenance. Mine lives outside and has recently had some rust work done on the wheel arches.
I love mine!
Hubert
Thanks Hubert, so post 2007 fir head gasket issue avoidance but I'm sure I've heard some later engined cars had cam shaft issues??
Could be wrong but is there a golden age of cars that are regarded as rhe most robust perhaps 2007 until...?
Mine too will live outside as rhe garage space is already taken and i would expect between 4 and 6k miles a year.
As you can gather I'm new to the marque so still finding my feet with a purchase expected within the next 3 months.
I love the Mulsanne with 2013 to 15 cars from £40 to £55k but then I see the Arnage series at half that and my head says go for the Arnage but my eyes keep get drawn towards rhe Mulsanne.......oh dear ...these things are never as easy as you imagine
Could be wrong but is there a golden age of cars that are regarded as rhe most robust perhaps 2007 until...?
Mine too will live outside as rhe garage space is already taken and i would expect between 4 and 6k miles a year.
As you can gather I'm new to the marque so still finding my feet with a purchase expected within the next 3 months.
I love the Mulsanne with 2013 to 15 cars from £40 to £55k but then I see the Arnage series at half that and my head says go for the Arnage but my eyes keep get drawn towards rhe Mulsanne.......oh dear ...these things are never as easy as you imagine
I have not heard of cam shaft issues. The engines are very robust but I have replaced some of the pipes to the turbos over the years as they age.
I like the Mulsanne too and my Dad has one. The main buying decision is I think around size- the Mulsanne is around a foot longer and the boot is smaller. I use mine in airport car parks, super markets, London parking etc -the Mulsanne might be a struggle? It does feel larger to drive around. Also I feel like I can drive the Arnage harder...
I have noticed on one of two Mulsanne I have looked at that they have had news steering columns and the earlier door handles flake chrome - quality issues?!
Anyway both great cars!
I like the Mulsanne too and my Dad has one. The main buying decision is I think around size- the Mulsanne is around a foot longer and the boot is smaller. I use mine in airport car parks, super markets, London parking etc -the Mulsanne might be a struggle? It does feel larger to drive around. Also I feel like I can drive the Arnage harder...
I have noticed on one of two Mulsanne I have looked at that they have had news steering columns and the earlier door handles flake chrome - quality issues?!
Anyway both great cars!
Good to know and very helpful.
It's probably just a casebof driving both models and seeing what floats my boat the most.
Neither car is small but I do hear you ref the mulsanne it's a very big beast ! (But oh so gorgeous)
A quick Google on the cam issue and lots of stuff out there but appears to be quite early cars so anything later should be good.
A decent explanation of the problem here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8F3FQwfqrM4&t=30...
It's probably just a casebof driving both models and seeing what floats my boat the most.
Neither car is small but I do hear you ref the mulsanne it's a very big beast ! (But oh so gorgeous)
A quick Google on the cam issue and lots of stuff out there but appears to be quite early cars so anything later should be good.
A decent explanation of the problem here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8F3FQwfqrM4&t=30...
I'm niw absolutely convinced of the need for a Bentley.
I love rhe Mulsanne but not sure I need to spend upto £50k for a daily run about come trinket.
Any Arnage woukd have to be the 6spd variant as everything I've read suggests that's the safest model for avoiding issues.
These seem to come in at £30k so a good chunk of change less.
Hoping to pop into Fearons (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) this week to discuss post purchase inspections and see if they can recommend any specific dealer specialists to consider purchasing from.
So now its all about spec.......
Trying to avoid black paint (harder than it seems)
Light interior (cream and all variants)
Mulliner specs would be nice
Picnic tables needed
Extended wood options prefered
C pillar mirrors prefered
Flying B mascot on bonnet prefered
If Mulsanne then Naim stereo needed
And of course a good history file !!
Let the hunt begin.......
I love rhe Mulsanne but not sure I need to spend upto £50k for a daily run about come trinket.
Any Arnage woukd have to be the 6spd variant as everything I've read suggests that's the safest model for avoiding issues.
These seem to come in at £30k so a good chunk of change less.
Hoping to pop into Fearons (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) this week to discuss post purchase inspections and see if they can recommend any specific dealer specialists to consider purchasing from.
So now its all about spec.......
Trying to avoid black paint (harder than it seems)
Light interior (cream and all variants)
Mulliner specs would be nice
Picnic tables needed
Extended wood options prefered
C pillar mirrors prefered
Flying B mascot on bonnet prefered
If Mulsanne then Naim stereo needed
And of course a good history file !!
Let the hunt begin.......
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