recon or used?

brchippy

There are 2 big end shells in the sump, and of course some metal shaving/fillings.
I dont know what caused the oil starvation down there, the oil level was at full and I didnt notice an oil light come on, so i dont know if the oil pump is to blame.

I'm not really sure what road to go down :think:
Used engine route
I think I want to take out the engine myself, I just want some sort of a guide as to which order to remove the ancilleries and wether or not I need to disconnect some of the air con system and power steering and any snags I will encounter along the way.

If I were to get hold of a used engine, is it advisable to fit a new timing chain and oil pump?

Recon engine route
I suppose i will need to have my Z22SE engine assessed by a mechanic at a reconditioning workshop to see wether or not it can be repaired.

Where in my area would I take the engine to be reconditioned?
How much would it cost roughly to have it reconditioned?

Would they clean out the engine of any debris, because I wouldnt know if any of the metal fillings would have been circulated around the rest of the engine , or just lay in the sump.

Easy option route
Anyone know were i could tow my car to locally, who would remove my engine and repair it then refit it job done, part with some( hopefully not tooo silly amount) hard earned cash and drive away with no more worries.

Much appreciate any info you guys can give .
Thanks in advance
Dave

vocky

certainly replace the cam chain if you buy a used engine, it's quite an easy swap, just a few ancilleries to remove

a recon engine, well you would only need to get the bottom end sorted, possibly the pump failed - the pressure relief valve can stick. So you would only need a regrind to the crank + new bearings, the cylinder head should be fine.
I have done a few engine rebuild threads on this site, so you can get plenty of help if you wish to DIY

I personally would strip the engine and rebuild it - change both chains and oil pump too

brchippy

Thanks for your reply,
just another quickie, can the engine be removed without the gearbox.

EDIT
doesnt matter now , i am going with the easy option, all set for friday, all going well back on the road in a week or less.
Not the cheapset option, but i get some gurantee and the job is done by professionals, and its faster than i could do it up my drive weather permiting.

I havent had much in the way of serious car troubles in 25 years until now and i like to drive my bertone coupe , as i did my old 325i bmw, and dare i say it capri 2.8i special, the big engine cars seem to have a nice feel to drive , so much better than a runabout car so bearing that in mind thats why i decided to have another engine put in (not used) and keep it and i am happy it will be good job, with no timing chain worries either.

vocky

I do regret not owning a 2.8i, but I did enjoy owning many RS2000's instead 8)

keep us updated 🙂

brchippy

I went for the easy option, found a place fairly local in Fleetwood who would remove the knackered and refit factory reconditioned unit with 12 months guarantee on an exchange basis.
I got them to fit new clutch whilst the engine was out, old one had done around 72k miles, no charge for labour with that, just the parts and they fitted a clutch kit, feels very nice now, and the engine is real smooth.

Just as well i didn't go for the option of removing the engine myself, as it cannot be removed upwards through the engine compartment, apparently it has to come out from under and so the sumbframe needed removing too.

For the money i could have gone out and bought another astra bertone coupe same year(2001), but at least I know the history of my engine now with new clutch, so i am happy enough, its a real smooth drive and i like the car.

vocky

glad it's fixed, just remember to change the oil every 10000 miles or less 🙂