Engine change costs

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cliftyhanger
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Engine change costs

Post by cliftyhanger »

OK, I am assuming the worst and I may well need to swap my 98 TD xantia engine. Probably too involved for me to do, but anybody got any idea of the time/cost involved for the labour? I might ask my helpful local specialist if they can supply/fit, but again anybody know what it should be costing me?
Cheers,
Cliftyhanger
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AndersDK
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Post by AndersDK »

I believe nobody dare tell you the truth [B)]
Replacing an engine is a huge DIY project, involves a large selection of tools and requires a good workspace.
Are you prepared to pay at least 1.5 days workshop labour - all things considered - on top of the cost of the new engine ?
Be prepared to spend at least $200 - $400 for a s/h engine.
A new factory engine I dont even dare to mention, but more than likely would be far more than the trade value of your car [:(]
pwatson
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Post by pwatson »

Blimey, if it is a new engine job you've been very unlucky. Usually these XUD engines are still going strong when you take the car to the scrappy because everything else has failed - and that's 150k at least. Neither of my old XUD's which both did over 150k had anything done to the engine except new glowplugs, not even new injectors - and I sold both of them as good runners.
Could it be something as simple as a blocked breather pipe? Have you tried another garage for advice? -that other bloke may be sucking his teeth 'cos he ain't got a clue?
bbrucez
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Post by bbrucez »

I got quoted £300 by a cheap specialist to put my BX engine into my 205 which had overheated badly. Not worth it when that was the value of the car and other things could go wrong (alternator, exhaust, radiator, etc) the next day.
bxbodger
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Post by bxbodger »

Much depends on what type of engine swap you intend doing-once you decide you can start getting quotes.
If you go for a short engine exchange i.e.a replacement cylinder block with crank and pistons, then if you are paying someone else then it will be expensive, as they will have to swap all the bits from your motor-head, cambelt assembly, water pump ,etc onto the new block; this all takes time and there will be a lot of incidental costs; you will most likely want a new water pump ,tensioners, etc; new gaskets, all that kind of thing and it all mounts up cost and time wise.
If you go for a straight swap from a scrapper it will be a lot easier and quicker, and therefore cheaper, as usually the whole lump, head, block, transmission, everything is yanked from your car and the new one dropped in- can be done in less than half a day by someone who knows what they are doing, a day by someone who doesn't. The main problem with this option, though, is making sure you get a good motor- if you go down this route try to source the donor yourself or at least hear it running; ones from rear-end smashes are usually o.k. because they were at least running at the time- and a spanked xantia is virtually valueless.
If you can't do the work yourself this is probably your best option, but why not have a go yourself?
If you do go for a straight swap from a donor its not that difficult- basically a nuts and bolts common sense job,and you could hire an engine hoist from any hire shop.
mbunting
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Post by mbunting »

Relative got his 1.8TD in the rover changed for £380, that included picking up the car ( approx 40 mile round trip ), the new engine, labour, and a months warranty.
They literally swapped the engine and everything connected to it, ie. alternator, clutch, gearbox etc...
Took a day.
The next day, he wrote it off !
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