hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 The engine i have at the moment has currently lost its "cork" which is causing the engine/ radiator to loose water. The garage has quoted £2000 to fix the car this includes Replugging the engine, skimming the pistons etc etc head gasket not sure what else there was. I was just gob smacked at the cost. The car is currently is an na which i can buy the engine for about £500 with 28000 miles on the clock. The garage has quoted about £800 - 900 to simply swap the engines over. Does this sound expensive and how easy is it to just swap the engine yourself at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 lost it's cork? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatSport Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 are these `corks` not frost plug type things? Can`t see anything expensive about replacing them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 I would get a second opinion for sure!! Maybe something as simple as a leaky hose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lover Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 core plugs i think they are called Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 The garage has quoted about £800 - 900 to simply swap the engines over. Does this sound expensive and how easy is it to just swap the engine yourself at home? You can do it in a day if you have the tools and a hoist. Sadly I've done it a few times are these `corks` not frost plug type things? Can`t see anything expensive about replacing them?? Depending which one, some core plugs are near impossible to get to with the engine in situ. Also, it sounds like the engine has been damaged due to running after the coolant has escaped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 Yeah i have the hoist, i did not know if it was as simple as unplug/unscrew everything and then drop the new engine in. Does anything have to be retuned etc etc. Apparently when they make the engines there are still holes in the engine and to fill the holes they make a cork from metal and then wack it into the engine. The cork has managed to go onto the inside of the engine, causing it to blow the gasket and needs a lot of work doing, or so they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatSport Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 didn`t you notice your temperature guage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 Yes i did, it went a little high for 10 sec then remained at normal operating temp. Then when i was on my way home 5 min journey the temp gauge went really high so the next morning it went straight to the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 i did not know if it was as simple as unplug/unscrew everything and then drop the new engine in. Does anything have to be retuned etc etc.Nope, just swap it over. If you do it carefully you won't even need to regas the AC Apparently when they make the engines there are still holes in the engine and to fill the holes they make a cork from metal and then wack it into the engine. The cork has managed to go onto the inside of the engine, causing it to blow the gasket and needs a lot of work doing, or so they say. That's not right mate. Core plugs don't blow gaskets. Failed core plugs let the coolant escape and driving the car with no coolant is what does the damage. Also, core plugs are external. They just seal the holes in the block that were there to allow the sand to be removed after the block had been cast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Have you seen where the plug has entered the engine? if not i would go and have a look first. What the garge is saying sounds a bit suspect to me. as Jake says engine swap is pretty straight forward. and can be easily done in a weekend, or in a day if you are handy with tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 No, i have not seen anything. I gave it straight to the garage when i thought there was a problem. They did a block test? and it showed straight away the compression was high. So i am thinking of just changing the engine straight over if it is easier and will be cheaper. I have found a yard that has an engine for £500 with 28000 miles on the clock. Does this sound reasonable? From the gerneral impression it sounds as though it sound not be that hard to take the engine out. Does it make it harder if the car is an auto? or is it easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 It really does sound to me that the garage is taking you for a ride. If you were to do a pressure test on the cooling system and there was a leak or a gaping hole it would show little to no pressure! not high pressure! Changing the engine will be the better option, and yes £500 is a good price for a low mileage engine. I would say the autobox would be (slightly) easier, as ther is less to disconnect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribleturner Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Wow that does sound expenisive. When mine went last year Turbofit were much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 They are saying that to fix the engine will take 30 odd hours and said its £35 p/h. So half the cost is in labour. And they said that to swap the engine will take about 16 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 16 hours to swap the engine sounds about right, but with the £35 labour charge takes it to £560, not the £800-900 they quoted. I personally would get somone else to look at it just to be sure. As I said, it sounds dubious to me. If the engine is shot then it's really down to you on what you feel is best, I would swap rather than repair but it's wether you want to do the swap yourself, or get them to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatSport Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 imo i reckon a couple of core plugs and a new HG and you`re up and running again.... did you check the oil, any tiny water bubbles? Anyhow take it somewhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 The trouble is if a core plug has pooped, then the temp will go high until the temp sensor is no longer in contact with water, and then read normal or low, if you had no water in the engine and continued driving then you are likely to have warped the head, distorted the liners, and there is a possibility that the bearings have started to pic up due to the over heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp006 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 I worked out their labour should only be about £600 but whether they are covering for any mishaps i dont know. They are specialists in Nissan but also do a lot of work on jap cars. I think i will try the swap myself and i'm sure with all the help you guys have given i will be able to call on you to try and help me out of any tight spots that i may get in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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