Buying a used Engine?
Discussion
Hi
I have to buy a used engine for my car and I have found a garage who can supply a used engine and fit this engine, but the part I'm worried about is, what millage that engine has done, and how do I find out if that information is correct or not. Is the only way to reference the information to the engine a VIN number, or can you tell from the engine itself with maybe a serial number on the block?
I have to buy a used engine for my car and I have found a garage who can supply a used engine and fit this engine, but the part I'm worried about is, what millage that engine has done, and how do I find out if that information is correct or not. Is the only way to reference the information to the engine a VIN number, or can you tell from the engine itself with maybe a serial number on the block?
What mileage are they claiming it has? How much is it?
You could ask for the registration of the car it came from and then check MOT history, but still there are no real guarantees.
What I can tell you is that I bought a used engine for £300, for a car 5 years ago, and its still going strong.
You could ask for the registration of the car it came from and then check MOT history, but still there are no real guarantees.
What I can tell you is that I bought a used engine for £300, for a car 5 years ago, and its still going strong.
Well the garage are charging me £2500 for supply and fitting, and they are saying it has paper work referencing the car and where it come from, but I just wanted to check that info for back up. I just do not have the time, space, or experience to get this bloody thing back on the road, being it's my only car, it seem to be the best option of a bad situation.
Edited by BBS-LM on Thursday 18th August 20:57
Ok, I'd assume they will provide some sort of warranty then if they are supplying and fitting it? Even if its just 90 days, that'll be enough to unearth any issues it may have.
Might be an idea to have the belts changed before it goes in as it'll be an easier job and peace of mind. That's what I did with mine.
Might be an idea to have the belts changed before it goes in as it'll be an easier job and peace of mind. That's what I did with mine.
It's usual for the garage to offer no warranty on the engine. So if the engine goes bang because it's a 'bad' engine you will have the labour cost to pay again.
Engines are normally warranted by the engine supplier (scrap yard), for 30 or 90 days.
Garage will normally warrant quality of fitting.
Problems occur when the garage says it was the engine that was bad, and the scrapyard say it was the fitting that was bad. Most people are grown up about sorting it out, but there will probably be extra costs if this does happen
Change (as others have said), the cambelt and associated pullies, the auxiliary belts and tensioners, the clutch, and the radiator, especially if the old engine is cooked due to overheating.
When you get it back, nurse it along for a while, and keep an eagle eye on fluid levels until you have confidence all is good.
Engines are normally warranted by the engine supplier (scrap yard), for 30 or 90 days.
Garage will normally warrant quality of fitting.
Problems occur when the garage says it was the engine that was bad, and the scrapyard say it was the fitting that was bad. Most people are grown up about sorting it out, but there will probably be extra costs if this does happen
Change (as others have said), the cambelt and associated pullies, the auxiliary belts and tensioners, the clutch, and the radiator, especially if the old engine is cooked due to overheating.
When you get it back, nurse it along for a while, and keep an eagle eye on fluid levels until you have confidence all is good.
Have them pull the cam covers and spark plug out so that you can inspect the cam for wear, check for sludge and inspect the bores with a borescope. If everything checks out, have them replace all the gaskets, timing belt or chain and water pump before installing it. It will cost a bit more, but you won't have to worry about it for a while and it's a lot cheaper to do it on a table then it would cost once the engine is bolted in.
BBS-LM said:
Hi
I have to buy a used engine for my car and I have found a garage who can supply a used engine and fit this engine, but the part I'm worried about is, what millage that engine has done, and how do I find out if that information is correct or not. Is the only way to reference the information to the engine a VIN number, or can you tell from the engine itself with maybe a serial number on the block?
The question to ask yourself is. Does it really matter?I have to buy a used engine for my car and I have found a garage who can supply a used engine and fit this engine, but the part I'm worried about is, what millage that engine has done, and how do I find out if that information is correct or not. Is the only way to reference the information to the engine a VIN number, or can you tell from the engine itself with maybe a serial number on the block?
i.e. what will you do differently if it is 'x' mileage vs 'y' mileage?
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