Mk1 1.8iS - Engine just gone bang. Replace engine or scrap?
Mk1 1.8iS - Engine just gone bang. Replace engine or scrap?
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Discussion

desyboy

Original Poster:

150 posts

250 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
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Hi folks

just had a nightmare on the way home today. Just coming off the motorway and engine started rattling really badly, started to pull over onto hard shoulder and engine went bang and dropped its oil all over the road. Have just got it back home and not had a chance to see the damage, but I guess I'm looking at a new engine. Just wondering if its worth it.

The car is a 95 1.8iS, the drivers rear arch needs fixing, and the passenger rear one is starting to bubble as well. other than that th bodywork is ok for its age. Its had new shocks and springs last year ( koni strt) and a new standard exhaust and cat this year for MOT. Just wondering if its be worth it to get another engine or selling for spares and put the cash towards another one. I don't really have the space to keep it and break it for parts so would need to sell as a job lot. Any ideas what sort of value would be in it? The car has also had a replacement hood about 4 years ago. it was a new vinyl one with a glass heated screen if that would make it more desirable. also has leather seats, electric windows and mirrors.

What are replacement engines worth? and how much to have it fitted?

cheers

Des

Mazdamender

173 posts

186 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
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Now who was not watching their temp gauge frown
A good used s/hand engine with low miles are not as dear as you think,and if you can do mates rates on having the old one removed and the new one fitted, should take just under 3/4 of a day to be back in and running, I would personally fit a new clutch etc and slave cylinder at the same time.
Try Andrew at Autolink for a good used one,I think the last time I fitted one from them It was £400.00?+ VAT
with 30 odd tho miles with a warranty.
I would keep her, better the devil you know wink
Regards
Wayne

b4bby

267 posts

211 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
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My 94 1.8 is currently on ebay at £50 with no bids.

Its got a good engine in it and has done around 80,000 miles.

It shouldnt be hard to find if you look.

mad4amanda

2,410 posts

187 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
quotequote all
b4bby said:
My 94 1.8 is currently on ebay at £50 with no bids.

Its got a good engine in it and has done around 80,000 miles.

It shouldnt be hard to find if you look.
erm a linky might be good as it doesnt come up on my searches?

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
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I think the mods remove posts if you put a link to something you are selling on eBay. Nothing to stop you pm'ing it though.

desyboy

Original Poster:

150 posts

250 months

Thursday 16th September 2010
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Mazdamender said:
Now who was not watching their temp gauge frown
A good used s/hand engine with low miles are not as dear as you think,and if you can do mates rates on having the old one removed and the new one fitted, should take just under 3/4 of a day to be back in and running, I would personally fit a new clutch etc and slave cylinder at the same time.
Try Andrew at Autolink for a good used one,I think the last time I fitted one from them It was £400.00?+ VAT
with 30 odd tho miles with a warranty.
I would keep her, better the devil you know wink
Regards
Wayne
Thats the funny thing, both temp gauge and oil pressure were fine just before it went bang. It did use a little oil, but it only went from max to min on the dipstick in about 2 months, and oil level was fine 2 weeks ago when I last checked it.

desyboy

Original Poster:

150 posts

250 months

Thursday 16th September 2010
quotequote all
b4bby said:
My 94 1.8 is currently on ebay at £50 with no bids.

Its got a good engine in it and has done around 80,000 miles.

It shouldnt be hard to find if you look.
Don;t have the space to keep another full car, and strip it down for an engine. Also no garage to do the work in, so would probably need to take it somewhere for them to do the engine swap once I got a new engine.

youngsyr

14,742 posts

215 months

Thursday 16th September 2010
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desyboy said:
b4bby said:
My 94 1.8 is currently on ebay at £50 with no bids.

Its got a good engine in it and has done around 80,000 miles.

It shouldnt be hard to find if you look.
Don;t have the space to keep another full car, and strip it down for an engine. Also no garage to do the work in, so would probably need to take it somewhere for them to do the engine swap once I got a new engine.
Why is that a problem - drive the car with the good engine to the garage and get yours towed there. They will have space to store the cars while the engine swap is carried out, then scrap the car without an engine.

The only issue I can see with it is cost - it will take them longer to take an engine out of a car and fit it to a new one than it will just to fit it, but on the plus side you can scavenge the donor car for any nice parts that are on it or small spares for storage at home.

You might even be able to get your car's rear arches fixed if the ones on the donor car clean enough to be welded in.


Munter

31,330 posts

264 months

Thursday 16th September 2010
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Give autolink a ring. See what they would pay you for the car as is or to fix it. Might help you make a decision.

desyboy

Original Poster:

150 posts

250 months

Thursday 16th September 2010
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Munter said:
Give autolink a ring. See what they would pay you for the car as is or to fix it. Might help you make a decision.
I'm in central Scotland, so it would probably cost them more than the cars worth to come and get it.

I'm leaning towards just sticking it on ebay as is, get as much as I can for it, then see what else is out there.

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

235 months

Friday 17th September 2010
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I would buy another one with a good engine and arches and transplant the good bits off yours as and when you have time

rudecherub

1,997 posts

189 months

Friday 17th September 2010
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mad4amanda

2,410 posts

187 months

Sunday 3rd October 2010
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rudecherub said:
That is fantastic !