engine rebuild

Hiya

My td4 auto freelander has now reached 176,000 miles and know that the engine want last forever

Due to my concern and that I'm disabled I'm thinking about buying a second hand engine with around 40K on it for around 400, as there are plenty on ebay, breakers etc.

Cannot afford to replace my car and a new recon engine are around 2.5k

I know I won't get my money back but have to keep my car going for the future and don't wish to get to the stage when the engine does begin to fail

Once I've bought the engine I was going to spend about 6 months or so, stipping it down and replacing parts bit by. Bit due the finacial contrates of me being disabled on unable to work anymore

Has anyone else done this please, can the valves etc be done at home or
Does the cyl head have to be sent away

I know some people may think I'm nuts but feel its the only way I can keep my freelander going for the future, also I've got a small brick shed and an engine stand

Will have to try and get someone to put it on there for me then can get a chair and will also give me something to do

Its the TD4 bmw engine

Thanks as always

Gary

Hi Gary,

I'm in the same situation as you regarding being disabled with variouse health problems so I know where your coming from.

Regarding the engine, if you are looking for something with around 40K on it why would you want to strip it all down ??? why can't you just replace your old engine with the new one you buy. You could keep your old engine for spare parts and rob the bit's needed for the new one.

Hiya

I see your point and my reason for examining it is, could I truly belive the seller that it actually indeed has only done 40K

Unless there's a way or being able to test it without stripping it apart, as I wouldn't wish to get the engine installed and then find there's a problem

It has given me room for thought though, could do an air combustion test, replace the timing chain, belts and auto adjuster, glows, pull the injectors etc.

If I then dropped the engine installed I would feel worried that a part could fail, as the engine could have been run low on oil etc

Maybe could at least pull the cylinder head off and sump plate and check the bores, so therefore shouldn't cost me that much to do

Just worried of putting an untested engine into the car,

I defentely agree with what your saying but just wondering how I could rely on what the seller is saying

Plus legally how would I stand if I bought another speedo at zero and then declared it via the dvla etc as I would have to declare the engine number etc, or is that a seriuos offence as I wouldn't want to be accused for trying to clock a car

Sorry to hear that you also suffer from disability, I hate it when I go out and shouted at for being a benefit cheat, even though I worked for 25 years and had a massive accident at work, just wish they realised of how much it hurts


Thks again

Gary

Hi Gary,

I think the only way to guarantee a geniun 40K engine would be to contact a few breakers near you and ask to see the car before any stripping takes place. Also if you can get hold of the last MOT certificate the milage will be recorded on there.

Re, the clock, if you do get a 40K engine from a breakers I would ask for the clocks as well, that way you have got the correct clock for engine milage.

I'm sure this is doable and with an engine with 40K on it I would not worry about it to much.

But like I say contact a few breakers and ask if they have any low milage FL1's with rear damage right off would they let you know.

HTH

Grayo

Hiya, clever idea and I like that

Suppose the only thing will be to see whaere I buy it from will take all the engine out and deliver it for me, I expect they would charge about 100 quid to do it

But like the idea about the speedo etc and getting a write off as well

Defently a plan, just got to try and figure out a way of insuring that the engine is sound and don't end up with a dud, would be great to hear it run but I imagine most of the engines are ripped out to stop them rusting etc and water penetration

Gary

Unless there is a major problem with the engine you have, even at that millage, leave it alone, you'll only create problems.

Hi

I do see your point, but if for example my engine fails I would be without a car for around 5-6 months due to the fact I can only afford so much permonth

So by forward planning I can get a second hand engine, do it up and still having my car, this is a complete lifeline to me due to my disability

Once I then got the second hand engine all done will then arrange for it to be swapped over.

I'm pretty sure as well the engine has to be dropped and can't be lifted out

Just don't want to be without a car and it could only take for something to happen in then stuffed

Wouldn't be a problem if I was working and had more disposable money but I don't

Thks

Gary

id just remove sump and ladder frame and check /replace crank bearings ,get injectors tested ,make sure its well lubricated for storage

Davidspect said:

Unless there is a major problem with the engine you have, even at that millage, leave it alone, you'll only create problems.

Click to expand...

Agree.

DD3 said:

Agree.

Click to expand...

hows that work if you know what your doing ?

Yep, this is what I was planning to do.

Check the oil, turn engine over .
Remove cylinder head as I can then check the condition of the head , bores etc, replace timing chain, valve condition etc, fit new cyl head bolts and gasket
Get injectors recond, replace glows

Remove sump replace oil pump and strainer

Renew gasket

Renew the 2 x belts, air con, pas due to the limited space

So that it will give me piece of mind and won't be to envasive and a lot more cost effective than stripping it down when indeed like you say won't be required to strip the engine right down as being low milage won't need it

The auto box and ird will reuse them until something goes wrong with them as if they did fail won't destroy the engine and due to the very cost of the auto box will just reuse it, but will check over the gaskets and replace the oils

Then reuse everything else from my engine

Thanks again so much for such great help and advice

Gary

gstuart said:

Yep, this is what I was planning to do.

Check the oil, turn engine over .
Remove cylinder head as I can then check the condition of the head , bores etc, replace timing chain, valve condition etc, fit new cyl head bolts and gasket
Get injectors recond, replace glows

Remove sump replace oil pump and strainer

Renew gasket

Renew the 2 x belts, air con, pas due to the limited space

So that it will give me piece of mind and won't be to envasive and a lot more cost effective than stripping it down when indeed like you say won't be required to strip the engine right down as being low milage won't need it

The auto box and ird will reuse them until something goes wrong with them as if they did fail won't destroy the engine and due to the very cost of the auto box will just reuse it, but will check over the gaskets and replace the oils

Then reuse everything else from my engine

Thanks again so much for such great help and advice

Gary

Click to expand...

lash adjusters (hydraulic tappets )are worth squeezing in a vice etc some stick

I certainly won't know how to do everything I've rebuilt a 2.25 litre series 3 lump before, know that this will be a lot more complicated but if I take my time and go by the book should be ok

Will need help getting the engine in and out, timing etc

Will be good to learn more how to do a freelander engine including something for me to do

Worked out if I get a engine stand can then sit down and work on the engine, will need help with lifting the cyl head due to its weight

Gary

you might enjoy it

Thks buddy about the tappets, didn't they use to have hydralic tappets on the rover V8's

Got a haynes book but will also buy a LR workshop manual

Things like these tips are invaluable and thks again

Gary

I'm really looking forward to it, as I can work in the warm, take my time and work through it step by step

Gary

gstuart said:

I'm really looking forward to it, as I can work in the warm, take my time and work through it step by step

Gary

Click to expand...

if you want a talk about /second opinion etc give us a shout

Thanks buddy, really appreciate that, my direct email is

[email protected]

I'm going to research this for a good few months so I don't rush into anything ,as I want to get it spot on first time

Look forward hearing from and really appreciate any tips

Thks

Gary

jamesmartin said:

hows that work if you know what your doing ?

Click to expand...

I was agreeing with the view of why buy another engine if the one you have works perfectly well. I've not intention of ever buying a back up engine for a car - unless I've good reason to think its about to pop.

DD3 said:

I was agreeing with the view of why buy another engine if the one you have works perfectly well. I've not intention of ever buying a back up engine for a car - unless I've good reason to think its about to pop.

Click to expand...

fair enough ,but if someone has the time and inclination why not