buying a non-running engine

30th June 2010, 17:56

if i were buying an engine that i cant see running, and is on 70k with no history atm, im worried about HG as i dont wanna be putting another engine with HG about to go into a car with the HG just about to go
is there anyway you can check this on a engine thats being stored?
also what other things can i check to make sure ill put it in and itll work?

30th June 2010, 18:23

just change the hg on your old engine ?

There's not a lot you can check tbh - maybe check for leaks, the oil colour (if it's got oil in it), condition of cambelt?

30th June 2010, 18:26

okay

mines on 112k so it doesnt really seem worth sorting out
been offered a cammed vtr engine with 70k but it has no history so im really unsure about it,
dont wanna buy one just for the HG to start going again :/

30th June 2010, 18:29

are you sure it's cammed ?!

I'm always nervous for people buying cammed, and port & polished engines. I would bet almost 80% of them are standard engines.

112k isn't too bad.

This is what I'd do. Get a compression test done, then get a 'wet' compression test done (with a bit of oil dropped into the bore). These results will tell you what sort of condition your piston rings are.

If you buy a new engine with no history, you'll be stupid not to change the cambelt, new waterpump, tensioner, thermostat, oil change and filter.

You therefore may as well do the above to you current engine if the compression test results look fine.

Some good quality oil and OEM filter and it should be fine. Get the hg done, new cambelt, could even rebuild you head whilst it's off.

30th June 2010, 18:32

its off someone i know so i presume he wouldnt lie, although cant trust anyone these days. im not really fussed about the cams its just an added plus i guess.

how much am i looking at for the two tests to be done?
my alternator belt area seems a bit wierd too, and theres a wierd quiet whining noise coming that area it so i dont have much faith in rescuing it but i guess it can be done

30th June 2010, 18:36

a dry and wet compression test would be around £30 maybe? Cheaper to buy your own kit for around £20 and do it yourself (make sure you get a screw in kit !)

Yours could just need a cambelt change, could be the alternator bearing, crankshaft pulley, or just the alternator belt itself.

^ ^ All of this could be wrong with the new engine, so you're not potentially gaining anything by buying a new engine.

30th June 2010, 18:38

IMO I'd get your current one sorted

Yorkies sax is on around 160k miles

At least if you ever sell your's it won't be as hard to shift, as soon as you do engine changes it goes down the pan usually

30th June 2010, 18:41

Any replacment new engine could have faults within a week of fitting it, which wernt there when you bought or the previous owner had it. Engines devleop faults they aint planned to happen at a certain time!

You could sort your current engine out and it be fine for another 40k, or you could get a replacment engine which will last 5k.

30th June 2010, 18:46

Mileage seems to be pretty irrelevant on these engines, they just go forever! As stated above, yorkies and a few others are on 160k. Mine personally is on 125k and still pushing out really good power for a relativly standard engine. Best bet would be to spend the money on the lump you have. At least you know it's history and how you've looked after it. You don't know if any others have been ragged and never serviced.