Sidestep: I just re-read your post. Are they sure it's a cracked block? Not the head? Usually requires the block to be pretty bad to burn that much coolant!
It would be the head. A block does just crack. (Yes in some cases, If the water jacket wears thing or it gets hit by a train.) Also a new head will be under $1500 incl labor. If not ill get my mate to do it.
Yeah the mechanics at the place i took it too were pretty much all in agreement just based on the amount coolant coming out of the exhaust. btw: I can only describe the amount of coolant vapor as comical. Think Whacky Racers or the steam from a coal powered locomotive.
What they said that it will cost x to get this checked, then another amount depending on the repairs requires, which will more than likely result in a 2nd hand engine dropped in. But this is pretty much guess work based on experience.
I could spend a good amount of money doing tests where a new engine is required anyway. Or potentially save some money by just getting a new engine put in strait away
They're looking for parts now and will give me some more solid quotes. I think all I can do to save is look for a second opinion or try competitive pricing with someone else.
sico77: Yeah the mechanics at the place i took it too were pretty much all in agreement just based on the amount coolant coming out of the exhaust. btw: I can only describe the amount of coolant vapor as comical. Think Whacky Racers or the steam from a coal powered locomotive. What they said that it will cost x to get this checked, then another amount depending on the repairs requires, which will more than likely result in a 2nd hand engine dropped in. But this is pretty much guess work based on experience.
I could spend a good amount of money doing tests where a new engine is required anyway. Or potentially save some money by just getting a new engine put in strait away
They're looking for parts now and will give me some more solid quotes. I think all I can do to save is look for a second opinion or try competitive pricing with someone else.
If water is coming out of the exhaust its getting into the cylinder. most likely a cracked head or blown gasket, Doubt the block is cracked or the water jacket is stuffed. Shouldnt be hard to fix..
I haven't messed with those little ecotecs much, but I'd agree. It's pretty easy for electrolysis to damage a cast iron block/aluminum head combo if the coolant isn't maintained, and you risk that it might happen again if you drop an unknown engine in.
If your mechanics know those engines they'll know the common failure points and their advice is best. Here's a little story that probably won't help you.
Just before we left NZ this year, one of my wife's friends - solo mum, no money - called to say that her car, a 2.5 Subaru legacy, had a blown head gasket (very common fault with that model).
The repair quote was more than she could afford. Actually more than the car's value.
I looked at it. Coolant was blowing out the exhaust, compression blowing through the radiator. Classic head gasket failure. So I told her I'd pull the engine, fix it (assuming no extra damage) and reinstall it for just the parts cost - around $500. She agreed, but then one of her son's friends said he'd get her a replacement engine - free. So I swapped in the used engine instead. It wasn't super easy, slightly different model required some bits to be swapped from the old engine, stripped stud and oil leaks needed fixing etc. Cost her around $150.
Anyway, she skyped my wife last week. Now the 'new' engine has signs of head gasket failure (overheating, oil in the coolant). She's back in the same situation - but worse. Her original engine at 110km was a good candidate for repair. The replacement ran but looked like a high mile, unloved thing and may not last long for other reasons.
I'd wait on buying a used engine till your mechanic gets back to you. Sounds like there was a bit of miscommunication about the cause of the problem, and maybe they'll just suggest swapping a reco head on ( which shouldn't involve pulling the engine on your car). Of course if you find a perfect, low mileage replacement engine for a few dollars in the meantime - go with that!
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