niwid
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,744
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Jul 16, 2013 12:38:20 GMT
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So I'm off to pick up an engine tonight. I've never done this before so could do with knowing what to check. I know to turn it by hand via the crank to make sure its not seized, but not sure what else to be looking for.
It's not in a car, and there are no fluids in it, so no chance of getting it running, or looking at oil and coolant.
The engine is a 1994 MK3 VW Golf 1.4 ABD petrol.
Thanks in advance
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Jul 16, 2013 13:23:29 GMT
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Check end float on crank pulley and if plugs are in you can sort of gauge compression, you'll never really know if its broken until its in the car and running like a bag of...
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1966 MK1 Cortina 1971 Hillman Super Imp 1985 Volvo 360 GLEi 1986 Volvo 340 1.7 1990 Mercedes 190e 2.0 1993 Peugeot 205 STDT
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Jul 16, 2013 16:23:19 GMT
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Pop the plugs out, turn it over and make sure it runs smooth ish and that none of the plugs are oiled up or anything. TBH though, that's a hell of a lot more than I've ever done and I've only once ended up with a curse word engine and I must have bought 20+ over the years.
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Jul 16, 2013 18:31:18 GMT
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I normally just take a chance - but no harm in removing the oil filler cap and looking for any white mayo (possible headgasket ) Once motor is bolted in place remove the plugs and spin it over on the starter to get the oil presure up before trying to start it. If you have any problems geting it running, try using the known-good bits from your old motor. Think positive and good luck
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Last Edit: Jul 16, 2013 18:33:53 GMT by nomad
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Jul 16, 2013 21:01:40 GMT
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As always when buying parts, I more often than not "buy the seller, not the part" i.e. if the seller seems nice, knowledgable and trustworthy then they probably are and vice versa. You'll never properly tell the condition of an engine without running it, so you just have to balance the risk/rarity/price for a given item and find your comfort level.
As an aside relating to the above post; mayo in the oil cap can be a bit of a red herring if the engine was only fired up for only a minute or so before being removed and stored - the water vapour will rise to the rocker cover but the engine isn't running long enough to actually let it all evaporate out and so it condenses in the cap.
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- '80 Mk1 Vauxhall Cavalier Saloon, 3.0l 12v... in progress with some special plans ahead - '94 106 Rallye, Endurance Rally Car
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,256
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Jul 16, 2013 21:57:25 GMT
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Pop the plugs out, turn it over and make sure it runs smooth ish and that none of the plugs are oiled up or anything. TBH though, that's a hell of a lot more than I've ever done and I've only once ended up with a curse word engine and I must have bought 20+ over the years. This. I have bought engines that look as if they have been dragged from the bottom of the river from some shifty sellers, and they have been some of the best engines I have bought (they pull very well and use no oil . Only once have I not had an engine quite as good (it looked clean etc. but even the same type of engine in another car I had prior to with almost 400k on the clock pulled better that the new engine I bought for another car (the same kind of car again). Maybe the head had come off (it did seem to have done), and the cam timing was not quite right, but either way it still ran in a fashion. As always when buying parts, I more often than not "buy the seller, not the part" I.e. if the seller seems nice, knowledgable and trustworthy then they probably are and vice versa. You'll never properly tell the condition of an engine without running it, so you just have to balance the risk/rarity/price for a given item and find your comfort level. As an aside relating to the above post; mayo in the oil cap can be a bit of a red herring if the engine was only fired up for only a minute or so before being removed and stored - the water vapour will rise to the rocker cover but the engine isn't running long enough to actually let it all evaporate out and so it condenses in the cap. Exactly. My old Porsche S2 engine I bought years ago seemed as if the HG had gone (mayo on the filler cap) until its second oil change. The engine despite being a great runner with low miles had been sat in a rotten car for a period of years.
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Mr S
Posted a lot
10-4 Good buddy.
Posts: 2,654
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Unless a 2nd hand engine is either completely stripped down for inspection or viewed running (and taken for a drive), I'd always assume it'll need a full rebuild and pay accordingly - no real way of telling otherwise.
And if you assume the worst, you either have the satisfaction of being right, or the happy feeling of a pleasant surprise if it all works fine!
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