what to do next when 4.2 engine goes bang
Discussion
The title is slightly misleading as I have recently bought a 1997 4.2 with a blown engine, conrod through block!
When looking at the options I was advised to fit a 4.5, can anyone expand on this advice and if a 4.5 is the way to go what else do I need to change?
I don't wish to go down the road of another type of engine as I would like to keep the car standard, if it isn't a 'classic' already it surely will be some day soon!
When looking at the options I was advised to fit a 4.5, can anyone expand on this advice and if a 4.5 is the way to go what else do I need to change?
I don't wish to go down the road of another type of engine as I would like to keep the car standard, if it isn't a 'classic' already it surely will be some day soon!
Geo and I discussed this by phone last night, because I've just been in a similar dilemma after my 4.2 engine overheating problem was tracked down last week, to slipped liners, and possibly a warped block (it's turned out not to be warped but at the time it was suspect). So I was looking at the same options, and I was advised that a 4.5 or later 4.2 would be equally acceptable, as JensenA says.
I don't need to know now because my own engine is going back together, but what Geo was advised was that he should look out specifically for a 4.5 because it was better - I'm not sure why it's better than a later-crank 4.2 though (apart from the obvious "ain't no substitute for cubes"!)
ETA I was also told by the same person that the 4.5 goes straight in, chenge the ECU, but keep the 4.2 fuel and induction system if you like because it's more torquey.
I don't need to know now because my own engine is going back together, but what Geo was advised was that he should look out specifically for a 4.5 because it was better - I'm not sure why it's better than a later-crank 4.2 though (apart from the obvious "ain't no substitute for cubes"!)
ETA I was also told by the same person that the 4.5 goes straight in, chenge the ECU, but keep the 4.2 fuel and induction system if you like because it's more torquey.
Edited by tvrgit on Thursday 13th May 11:14
Geo said:
Longbow, Thanks for the pointer, I had seen the ad and have spoken with the owner and I'm awaiting some proof of what was done to the engine, what concerns me is that it has been out of the previous car for 3 years! - should I be concerned?
Yes and No 
I've seen AJPV8's, that are advertised as a good running engine, go for £3000.00 If I was paying 3 grand for an engine that had been stood for 3 years,then I'd be a bit concerned that things inside may have 'siezed' up, the Head Gasket had started deteriorating etc etc.
If it goes for a lot less, then I'd have the same concerns, but I'd be prepared to strip it down, and I'd still have some cash left over to cover the costs.
Geo said:
I'm being quoted £2k + Vat from breakers for a 4.2 which seems fairly reasonable however a 4.5 would appear to command a fair premium which begs the question why and is it worth the extra expence?
Not if you are doing everyday sprited driving.If you want to willy wave in the showers to the other boys...then maybe.
Geo said:
I'm being quoted £2k + Vat from breakers for a 4.2 which seems fairly reasonable however a 4.5 would appear to command a fair premium which begs the question why and is it worth the extra expence?
Extra premium simply because 4.5 is a bigger number than 4.2. I don;t know what your motoring background is, but it is nothing at all like buying either a 1.6 or 2.0 engine for your Golf GTi. They are both amazing engines, and each one has it's advantages, but no disadvantages. So just go for the one that represents the best value regardless of the size. Ignore all the 'willy wavers'.I'd keep a close eye on that ebay add - I'll stick my neck out and say that it will go for less than £1k. The market for AJP engines is very small if you think about it.
Would I drop that engine straight in though? No, probably not. It would make economic sense to have it rebuilt, although the cost for this doesn't have to be silly if you keep it standard and go for a fairly basic strip/rebuild which includes new bearings, piston rings, timing chain, head gasket etc. I'd also get the rotating assembly balanced. The company that rebuilt my short block had never seen an AJP8 before but did a great job - it is a simple engine which any competent engine shop should be able to handle with ease. That said, if you can get a specialist to do it for a good price, then more the better.
Don't forget that the package includes a gearbox which you could sell on and recover a few £'s. Plus you'll have some spares engine parts left over from your old engine.
Would I drop that engine straight in though? No, probably not. It would make economic sense to have it rebuilt, although the cost for this doesn't have to be silly if you keep it standard and go for a fairly basic strip/rebuild which includes new bearings, piston rings, timing chain, head gasket etc. I'd also get the rotating assembly balanced. The company that rebuilt my short block had never seen an AJP8 before but did a great job - it is a simple engine which any competent engine shop should be able to handle with ease. That said, if you can get a specialist to do it for a good price, then more the better.
Don't forget that the package includes a gearbox which you could sell on and recover a few £'s. Plus you'll have some spares engine parts left over from your old engine.
I'd be pretty poor in the shower department, ask the mrs.
We have a Tuscan 2s just now as well as a X5 that I have for sale on here - bargain at £34k + vat. This replaced my RS4 and 996 4s so no GTI's though.
Long engine would be fine for me, I will have a look a how I contact you direct ridds, sorry but I'm a novice on this forum business as perhaps you can tell!
We have a Tuscan 2s just now as well as a X5 that I have for sale on here - bargain at £34k + vat. This replaced my RS4 and 996 4s so no GTI's though.
Long engine would be fine for me, I will have a look a how I contact you direct ridds, sorry but I'm a novice on this forum business as perhaps you can tell!
Interesting thread..... depends what you want from your engine. If it's POWER (rather than pub bragging rights) - then don't discount the later 4.2 AJP - mine is an 02 model and it put out 393 bhp at RaveProved open day last month - almost exactly what it put out when Joo (ex TCS) fettled it last year.
I agree with the poster who mentioned that he wouldn't just sling an unknown engine into the car..... personally I'd want it thoroughly checked over before going to the hassle / expense of installing in the car. If this is the case, and the engine is of unknown provinence / condition, then perhaps budgeting for a thorough engine overhaul? If you bought the car with a blown engine, then I assume that you got it at a very reasonable price. In this case you may have some nominal or theoretical budget between what you paid for a non-working car, and what a good condition car would have cost you.
If you are planning on keeping the Cerb for a while (and if you have a good condition Cerb, especially an AJP then you should!) then I would be tempted to go for a full rebuild, and while you are at it go for some tastly performance upgrades whilst you are there - e.g. RaceProved lighter flywheel, maybe some head work, or parhaps a rebore to the 4.5 or 4.7 litres if the original engine has any wear / question marks / you can afford it?
That was you end up with an engine that you know you can trust, is in as good a condition as you could ask for, and you may still come in "on budget" compared to if you bought a good condition Cerb?
I agree with the poster who mentioned that he wouldn't just sling an unknown engine into the car..... personally I'd want it thoroughly checked over before going to the hassle / expense of installing in the car. If this is the case, and the engine is of unknown provinence / condition, then perhaps budgeting for a thorough engine overhaul? If you bought the car with a blown engine, then I assume that you got it at a very reasonable price. In this case you may have some nominal or theoretical budget between what you paid for a non-working car, and what a good condition car would have cost you.
If you are planning on keeping the Cerb for a while (and if you have a good condition Cerb, especially an AJP then you should!) then I would be tempted to go for a full rebuild, and while you are at it go for some tastly performance upgrades whilst you are there - e.g. RaceProved lighter flywheel, maybe some head work, or parhaps a rebore to the 4.5 or 4.7 litres if the original engine has any wear / question marks / you can afford it?
That was you end up with an engine that you know you can trust, is in as good a condition as you could ask for, and you may still come in "on budget" compared to if you bought a good condition Cerb?
Mike, I think your view reflects that of the majority of the folks I have spoken to / heard from on the forum and a rebuild on a used motor will be the best way to go.
At the danger of being drummed out out of the club I'm not that fussed about making it go faster, reliability will be the objective, I am viewing it as a classic car
You're correct in as much that I bought it pretty cheap so there is scope to do the work, the point of posing the question was to canvass opinion which i thank you all for.
At the danger of being drummed out out of the club I'm not that fussed about making it go faster, reliability will be the objective, I am viewing it as a classic car
You're correct in as much that I bought it pretty cheap so there is scope to do the work, the point of posing the question was to canvass opinion which i thank you all for.
Geo said:
Mike, I think your view reflects that of the majority of the folks I have spoken to / heard from on the forum and a rebuild on a used motor will be the best way to go.
At the danger of being drummed out out of the club I'm not that fussed about making it go faster, reliability will be the objective, I am viewing it as a classic car
You're correct in as much that I bought it pretty cheap so there is scope to do the work, the point of posing the question was to canvass opinion which i thank you all for.
Geo, I had to drop in at my local specialist STR8SIX this afternoon, he is in the process of rebuilding a 4.2 at the moment. At the danger of being drummed out out of the club I'm not that fussed about making it go faster, reliability will be the objective, I am viewing it as a classic car
You're correct in as much that I bought it pretty cheap so there is scope to do the work, the point of posing the question was to canvass opinion which i thank you all for.
It would be worth giving Jason there a call, engine is in for a rebuild, has been done by other independant's twice before as it kept blowing head gaskets. Reason was that the liners are mounted 4 thou to low in the block and there for not meeting the heads properly, missed in the previous two rebuilds.
It took some one who pays real attention to detail to find this and this is why I feel that a call to Jason would be worth while, you will get an engine that has been built by some one who does not cut corners but really focuses on the detail.
Not expensive either by the way ;-)
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