Options? Losing Interest Fast

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

So its looking like my block has cracked, as I have water coming out at the back about half way up, where the head bolt pokes out the casting area.

 

My big question is what are the options, reading on here (forum search) the block is scrap! I have very limited funds and not enough knowledge to build my own engine so I gotta pay for someone to do the work, so funds will go ever less far.

 

Only had the pug a year now, its spent more time in garage than on road while I waited to save enough money to fix all the little niggly running issues it had. just renewed insurance and the MOT expires tomorrow.

 

I was looking forward to a summer of driving the pug.

 

rant over . . . . . .

[hoodygoodwood 71 3 Cars]

Rebuilding the engine into a new block would be ideal but will be more expensive , just look for a replacement engine on E-bay . Is yours a 1600 or 1900 GTI , 1.6's seem very cheap but even a 1.9 can be picked up for around £100 - £150 . As long as you don't find any more problems you could swap it over in a day .Change the gearbox oil and driveshaft oil seals at the same time , then do the engine oil and filter once you have it started .

[welshpug 1,661]

three options in my eyes.

 

1, sell it.

 

2, get stuck in.

 

3, find a good local specialist, Dan Taylor (taylorspug) runs a garage in your area and knows these cars very well.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

My car is the 1600, feeling I need to get just stuck in, as that's my only option if I want to drive a classic car!

 

Can I just put a 1900cc engine in??

 

Ebay here I come.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Good attitude buddy, plenty of folk on here to offer you help, just go at it in a methodical manner and it is straightforward enough. You will also be learning about your car which will help you tackle other jobs in future.

You can change to a 1.9 it is a straight swap, you just need the air flow meter and ECU to go with the 1.9, everything else (wiring, pipes, exhaust etc) will swap over fine.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

So if I can source a engine. Please can you guys tell me what is worth doing to the replacement engine before I fit it in? essential things, Im only a beginner mechanic so need your advice. All in the aid of a future of hassle free motoring! lol

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Water pump and cambelt are worth doing before you fit it, along with the main crankshaft seal behind the flywheel. Possibly a new clutch whilst it is all in bits. Everything else is easy enough to do when it's in the car.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

ok ill put those things on the shopping list thanks.

 

Whos the best person to order those bits from?

 

Best place to get a engine hoist from?

Edited March 16, 2014 by pugfrank

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Any decent motor factor can get you all the parts, alternatively you could use euro car parts /GSF/mister auto/buypartsby etc etc.

 

Engine hoist, either a new one from Machine mart, or second hand from eBay or wherever.

[Biggles 65]

In the long run having your own engine crane would be cheaper but you can hire them if funds won't stretch to buying.

 

It may seem a daunting task if you've not done it before but it isn't complicated. Get stuck in and when it's done, you'll wonder what you were concerned about.

[hoodygoodwood 71 3 Cars]

You will need the yellow injectors for the 1.9 engine as well as the correct AFM and ECU .I would stick with the 1.6 to be honest , cheaper on E-bay and you will not have to start part swapping . They are nippy little cars , I miss my last 205 GTI ( a 1.6 ) .Did the car have any problems before the water leak ?

While you are ordering parts you should get

Dizzy O ring - very cheap from Peugeot

Exhaust manifold studs and nuts

Gearbox oil seals for the driveshafts .

gearbox oil , engine oil and filter

Cambelt and tensioner .Don't pay more than £35 on E-bay - make sure you get the correct tensioner and number of teeth on the belt .

Exhaust manifold gaskets ( 4 )

Water pump is worth doing unless the existing one looks new .

Check all your balljoint boots as a split is now an MOT fail so replace while doing the other jobs .

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

Dan Taylor, is popping in later for a cuppa and to have a look see for me.

 

Think I favour sticking with 1600cc to keep things simple and costs down.

[welshpug 1,661]

excellent, say hi from us lot

 

I think you are right to keep it simple and 1600.

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

Would it be worth taking a good look to see if the block has actually cracked? Is there a core plug in that area?

[welshpug 1,661]

no there isn't a core plug on the rear, but certainly is worth cleaning up properly and trying again, could easily be a hose spraying onto the back of the block as much as a crack in the block itself.

[GLPoomobile 958]

Water pump and cambelt are worth doing before you fit it, along with the main crankshaft seal behind the flywheel. Possibly a new clutch whilst it is all in bits. Everything else is easy enough to do when it's in the car.

 

Although it's not a show stopper, personally I'd budget in for a little bit of a cylinder head refresh whilst the engine is out. As always, it comes down to your budget and how far you want to go, but it would be a pain if you fitted a replacement engine only to have it smoke like a bugger due to knackered valve stem seals. Just replacing the seals and re-lapping the valves yourself wouldn't break the bank, but then you need to factor in a new head gasket and head bolts, and you may then want to skim the head just to clean it up too.

 

You do really need to know where to draw the line though as a little refresh and preventative maintenance could turn in to a full engine rebuild if you don't set your boundaries and stick to them

Edited March 19, 2014 by GLPoomobile

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

On further investigation, it looks like the head gasket is failing and letting water out down the head bolt. I have been looking at my options, if money allows I will be looking at getting a second hand unit replace some bits on the bench and then fit it in.

 

The big question is how much preventative maintenance do I do! Where do you stop!! lol!

[welshpug 1,661]

Personally I would see how that one comes apart before getting another engine.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

Found some other broken casting on block which has been bodged! so that's the reason for another engine replacment. I'm someone who doesn't like leaving things incorrect once I have found them!

[mrfirepro 127 1 Cars]

James,

 

I'm not too far from you and have a spare block, all stripped down, cleaned and ready to go. If you want a ride over here you can have it FOC.

 

just PM me.

 

Paul

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

Thanks for the offer mrfirepro I will bare that in mind.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

Well a little up date, one step forward and two back!!

 

Due to my lack of knowledge and poorly hands, I took the decision to spend last of my pennies and get a mechanic to do the work for me. My engine was removed ready for further inspection water was leaking from around the head bolts. So the head was coming off, three head bolts sheared off! and on later inspection the block did have a crack in it also. So a replacement engine with all ancillaries attached was sourced for me, great back in the engine went. ran really well, no smoke good oil pressure, all new fluids and timing etc reset to factory settings. The car was running and idling like a dream. The car felt soo different and great like a completely different machine pull like a train and idling sweet.........Well due to wrk and family stuff hadn't taken the car for more than a 20 minute drive really until yesterday things started fine but as the engine really warmed up 30mins of country lane 2nd/3rd blasting the idling has all gone to pot!! I pulled up a junction and the car would not idle just died on me, started fine with a little bit of throttle, but wouldn't idle on its own. Started the car this morning and it will only just idle the revs ducking and diving! The heavens opened so that was the end of me trying to get to grips with it!

So I have come on here to have a rant, Why am I having such bad luck.

[pugfrank 14 1 Cars]

So its going to be one of those gremlins, that does it when it wants to! and not if it feels like it!