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Do I really need a new engine?
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Burning Spear
New User
Mar 1, 2008, 10:57 AM
Post #1 of 4
(1338 views)
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Do I really need a new engine?
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My '99 Saturn (97,000 miles) nearly overheated last night in 20-degree weather. I figured I might be low on coolant, so I topped it off. When I did so, I found that the existing coolant was a light coffee color and kind of grainy. So today I drove to a repair shop a few miles away, and the car nearly overheated on the way there. The guy didn't do anything other than check the fluid, but he says that a bad head gasket or an engine-block crack is letting the coolant and oil mix. He says there's no point in changing the gasket -- I need a new engine. Is it worth even trying to have the gasket replaced? He quoted $2k for a new engine (labor included). I would like to keep the car and will change the engine if that is what is necessary. One other question: Will changing the engine do it? Or is there a chance I could drop the $2k and then find something else needs to be done? Any help would be much appreciated!
(This post was edited by Burning Spear on Mar 1, 2008, 11:03 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 1, 2008, 12:30 PM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: Do I really need a new engine?
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If there is oil in the coolant there's trouble. Is coolant in the oil also? This needs more diagnosing before tossing the whole engine over this. And just what is the engine and how much of it for the $2k mentioned? New stuff or used? If it has overheated for a while the trans may have suffered some too. As always your call on what to do but know exactly what the problem is now first,
T
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Burning Spear
New User
Mar 1, 2008, 12:36 PM
Post #3 of 4
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Re: Do I really need a new engine?
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Thank you, Tom. The mechanic thinks there is coolant in the oil, but I don't see any sign of it. There is some oily residue dripping down the front of the engine. He's quoting an engine with 65,000 miles at $1,000, plus another $1,000 for nine hours of labor and one or two other related tasks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 1, 2008, 1:02 PM
Post #4 of 4
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Re: Do I really need a new engine?
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Hmmm? A lot depends on how well this replacement engine is known and will it be all set and tuned, serviced up to date for the miles on it? Cooling system hoses could have been stressed with oil in coolant - lots needs to be considered no matter what you two decide.
Just a head gasket job would be involved too - I think you understand that. Inspect and resurface the old head, hoses possible again?? Tune up again and factor new anti-freeze and oil change for either - it adds up either way.
If the overall car is good and no signs of other expensive stuff coming I guess I'd go for the replacement engine as a whole with a well known source and history of it.
I just can't say if in fact a crack in block or something is involved. That would make the decision easier for sure.
What I've done with customers when something expensive comes along is take some time and really figure out the best approach. This stuff stinks and we all hope it never happens but it does. To shed a light on this - think of it as you don't have a car at all but do have whatever this one is worth as is. What can you get if you change out the car or would you fix this one with the history you know of it? A lot depends on how confident you feel that this tech/shop can do a real nice careful job with the swap and all parts that should go with that.
I still would work with your engine if it tests out that this was just recent and overheats weren't so bad. Can the crack thing be ruled out?
I'm not a fan of rebuilt engines at all. I may stand alone with that but a good original to me is just better than one that has been reworked even though they behave for a while. Your call. Good luck,
T
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