Buying a car that had had an engine swap.

[simple101]

Im looking at buying a lovely looking car. Very good condition all over.

The thing is, its had the whole engine replaced. Its exactly the model engine, just a newer one with less miles on it.

A few questions.

Do i need to tell my insurance company?

Assuming it was fitted by a garage, is there much to worry about in terms of reliability?

If there was an engine failure in the old one, would there be any issues that may have been overlooked, in the gearbox for instance?

The seller seems a nice chap but im no mechanic so i wont be able to spot if anything is not quite what it seems in the transplant department.

Anything i should look out for before I hand over my money?

[GreigM]

Very common these days as most manufacturers now see the engine as a "part" which is simply replaced - the days of stripping/rebuilding engines is somewhat gone....so long as it was done by a reputable garage its not a bad thing...indeed, lower mileage can be a definite benefit

[unpc]

Sorry chum you'll need to be more specific than that. Details such as type of car, mileage,price, age etc. would help.

[HellDiver]

As long as the new engine details are on the V5, then there's nothing you need to declare. Do you tell your insurance when you change tyres, brake pads or oil?

[simple101]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1672890.htm

the new engine has 50,000 miles on it.

I'm awaiting more information on who did the swap and when.

and before you ask, im no chav...

[HereBeMonsters]

The V5C should be updated with the new engine number, but other than that, it doesn't matter.

[iggletiggle]

As HBM has said the V5c should have the new engine number.. other than that as long as the engine swap is documented it shouldnt be a problem really.. just remember the rest of the car has still done 100k though..!

[IROC-Z]

I bought a Volvo 850 T5 which had a replacement engine and it didn't occur to me to inform the insurance company. I am presuming the previous owner updated the V5 because I got a letter out of the blue from the insurance company (Bell) asking for an additional premium of £65 because the car had a replacement engine.

I rang them up and asked them to explain their reasoning. They said it made the car more 'desirable' and therefore a greater risk. I pointed out to them that it was an M reg Volvo estate car, the engine wasn't new it was from a donor car that had done 60,000 miles, and at any rate how on earth would anyone know it had a replacement engine? They withdrew the charge as a 'goodwill' gesture.

Probably best to inform your insurance to avoid any hassle down the line!

Edited by IROC-Z on Friday 14th May 15:24

[simple101]

IROC-Z said:

I bought a Volvo 850 T5 which had a replacement engine and it didn't occur to me to inform the insurance company. I am presuming the previous owner updated the V5 because I got a letter out of the blue from the insurance company (Bell) asking for an additional premium of £65 because the car had a replacement engine.

I rang them up and asked them to explain their reasoning. They said it made the car more 'desirable' and therefore a greater risk. I pointed out to them that it was an M reg Volvo estate car, the engine wasn't new it was from a donor car that had done 60,000 miles, and at any rate how on earth would anyone know it had a replacement engine? They withdrew the charge as a 'goodwill' gesture.

Probably best to inform your insurance to avoid any hassle down the line!

Edited by IROC-Z on Friday 14th May 15:24

This is what i was worried about. As we know, Insurance companies arent exactly being friendly these days.

I will double check if the new engine number is on the V5. Thanks for all your comments.

[Jayho]

TBH its a 106 Quicksilver, previous owner probably ragged it to hell and back, blew the engine, found a new engine to put in it and sell it...

The 106 engines aren't really the hardest to work on (transplant wise) so shouldn't really make the car any more prone to problems...

You must makes sure it was definitely a 106 1.4 engine gone in it, and not a VTR/VTS/GTI engine in it. Another possibility is it had a VTR engine put in it before, and as the owner is away to sell the car, is putting a 106 engine back and selling the VTR block to get more money... There could be visibilities of a gti or VTS lump being in it, IIRC a bit more work has to be done before they fit properly, whereas the VTR engine would be a straight swap!

Insurance wise, get a quote first, get the price, tell them the swap and see what they come back with. if its more expensive voice your concern and they'll probably drop the extra premium...

[Guest]

Headgasket problems are pretty common on the TU engine and it was probably cheaper for the owner to fit a good lower millage engine (£100-150) than mess around fitting a new gasket and cambelt.

[simple101]

Turns out the gasket went. He spend a fair amount rebuilding the head. It went again. The bottom end was cracked.

He then had a garage fit the new engine and has all the paperwork for it.

After all the work he is selling at a loss.

Car looks really good, drives well.

I have to seriously consider it now.

Thanks for the advice!

[Eggman]

Make sure you have a good look at those bills to reassure yourself that the engine has come from a good source and that they match the engine in the car - there are plenty of horror stories about people who've bought in good faith then subsequently been stopped by the police who then discover that the engine number has been ground off or otherwise interfered with and impound the vehicle whilst they investigate whether it's come from a stolen car.

Admittedly, many of these stories involve Q-plated Land Rovers; Defenders are stolen and immediately broken for parts more frequently than you might imagine to be the case - so anything modified-looking is likely to attract more Police attention and get a more thorough going over than an ordinary car would.

I'm not sure of the best way to establish that the engine is 'proper' - might be worth enquiring with HPI whether they can check engine numbers at the same time as doing their regular check.

[Merry]

Quick question, what if you cant give the new engine details (say, the serial number) as it was a sticker and fell off the new(er) engine?

[Mr.Jimbo]

I have a feeling (and may be wrong) but I think if its the original 1.4 TU engine, the dipstick tube should be on the left hand side of the head, whereas the 1.6 VTR block has the tube on the right hand side. This was always the way to tell between rallye engines, but not sure if the 1.4 is an iron block?

[Eggman]

I can't imagine a sticker being anything other than for convenience (e.g. to save time in the factory and/or main dealer) - the engine number has always been stamped into the block ime.

[Ry_B]

Hm, why would they spend all that money on a new engine then sell it straight after?

[MondeoMan1981]

Mr.Jimbo said:

I have a feeling (and may be wrong) but I think if its the original 1.4 TU engine, the dipstick tube should be on the left hand side of the head, whereas the 1.6 VTR block has the tube on the right hand side. This was always the way to tell between rallye engines, but not sure if the 1.4 is an iron block?

1.4 TU 75bhp its on the left and in some of the early 2000s installations of this engine the dipstick has a bit on the bottom that breaks off easily, usually when trying to lift the d/s out to check the oil.... know 2 folk this happened to personally !

[simple101]

Just informing you that i wont be buying the car.

Something in my gut.

Thanks again for the advice. Pretty sure the engine is what he says it is though.

[HereBeMonsters]

simple101 said:

Just informing you that i wont be buying the car.

Something in my gut.

Thanks again for the advice. Pretty sure the engine is what he says it is though.

Good good. Never follow through on the "I'm not sure" if it's money to you. TBH, the 106 Quicksilver is not worth the premium over a "standard" 106. Get yourself a 205 with the same engine instead. Much nicer car!