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mist303
User
Mar 1, 2014, 9:15 AM
Post #1 of 16
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Hello all,
I have had few problems regarding my Honda City 2004 (1.3ltr, 260k km) and came to the conclusion that it's a bad head gasket. Since the workshops around here like to overcharge for gaskets, I changed the whole engine for a used one from a used parts shop.
So far, the engine is running well. But I have a few questions to those who have experience with this.
1- What am I supposed to look out for to see if this engine is running as it should?
2- Any specific noises to keep an ear out for? Any tests that I should do?
3- Should I use any oil/gas additives to cleanse the engine?
4- And most importantly, the engine is of the same CC/ltr as the previous one, but of a newer model. I can tell because the oil measurement tool changed place and the overall look is slightly different. Is this change OK?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 1, 2014, 9:28 AM
Post #2 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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Yes, a head gasket job at high KMS could be wildly expensive and not work out well if the head needed a redo also on the used block.
How was the replacement engine chosen? You should have info on it and know it came from a good running lower mile car for some other reason sent to salvage. Engine needs to match exactly and if not could be a nightmare. What is an exact match is the salvage yard's and the mechanic's job to make sure.
Generally you would start out with new tune items, oil, antifreeze and any hoses or assorted things in the course of another whole engine WITH some warranty on just the engine not the labor to install it.
What does your repair/work order say was done? If running well just take good care of it like anything but know what was or wasn't done to it from the place that did the swap and place it came from,
T
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 9:49 AM
Post #3 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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The replacement engine was chosen by the mechanic who just went there and asked for an engine of the same model (didn't search about it).
I can push the car to 60miles/h with ease. It wasn't easy to do so on the previous engine.
He replaced the engine oil and asked me to do it again the following week. He also changed the antifreeze, but not the hoses.
The engine came with a 15day warranty. 6 Days have past so far.
I didn't get the last Q. Can you please rephrase?
Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 1, 2014, 10:05 AM
Post #4 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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Your last question was about additives and I say no. Sounds like this tech is on target. Hoses and misc. stuff are a judgment call when doing something like this.
That's a pretty short warranty IMO but truth is to me if it runs and is all legally correct for the car it probably would stay good for you. Your tech asked for a fast oil change and can agree with that as the oil itself is a cleanser. Have to trust his call as he was there.
Ask him if there's anything else you should do. Learn NOW and check oil and antifreeze levels every day! Now! Look for anything dripping anywhere that shouldn't.
A lot get's just touched, removed or bumped in a swap all at once.
You didn't say what the engine itself cost but the only thing I'm wary of is the short warranty. Good is good and nobody wins if it doesn't work out. Good luck,
T
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 10:29 AM
Post #5 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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I keep checking the oil and antifreeze every morning.
The engine itself cost me about 270$ + 90$ labor + 30$ oil,antifreeze, and AC refrigerant - 90$ old engine sold. So, in total, it cost me about 300$.
I'll check the engine as much as I can before the warranty ends. Thanks for your help :).
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 10:41 AM
Post #6 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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I just remembered.
This happens about once a day. For a couple of seconds I hear water noise from my car while driving. It sounds like softly sipping water and air. When the mechanic rode along to hear it, it didn't come out.
I suspect it's from the reservoir tank when it gives water to the radiator. (though the tank is not leaking).
(This post was edited by mist303 on Mar 1, 2014, 10:41 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 1, 2014, 10:47 AM
Post #7 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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Are you converting that to US Dollars? Yikes - I couldn't check out a used engine and approve it or not for that never mind swap it out even ages ago when I retired from this game.
Price would be impossible if that's what you mean in USD? Tom
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Tom Greenleaf
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Mar 1, 2014, 10:51 AM
Post #8 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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You posted another before I read it about the water sounding noise. Bring that up right away. Could be low coolant level by mistake when refilled or a problem.
IDK if this uses a restrictor to slow coolant flow to heater core in a hose but you said they weren't replaced so not that. Get that checked by the mechanic right away,
T
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 11:07 AM
Post #9 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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Yeah, I converted to US dollars. I guess they wanted to dissemble the old one and sell its parts. Too cheap or too expensive?
I went to the mechanic and he didn't hear what i heard so he didn't check (you can say they don't believe unless they see for themselves).
The coolant level is perfect in both the radiator and the reservoir. There aren't any leaks from what I have seen over the past few days.
(This post was edited by mist303 on Mar 1, 2014, 11:08 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Mar 1, 2014, 11:36 AM
Post #10 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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That's impossibly too cheap for where I am. Yes they frequently want the old engine as a "core" for any good parts or rebuild totally to sell that way if needed.
In fairness I can't know market prices for used parts and labor rates for all places. Plain oil and antifreeze, having the tools and place to do this too expensive to do it for that.
Not the point really. If it is correct, working out for you that's a good deal for you and not too much to lose if it fails IMO,
T
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 11:59 AM
Post #11 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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The price is why I chose that workshop instead of a Honda certified, which would've cost me double for the engine alone.
Thanks again
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Discretesignals
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Mar 1, 2014, 12:08 PM
Post #12 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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$300 for a good used engine and labor to install it? That is crazy. The shop cut their own throat. Labor time to R&R an engine in a 07 Fit, which is related to the city, is around 8.5 hrs. At $90 total they charged around $11/hr. You must done something that they really wanted for them to charge you that amount.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 1, 2014, 12:51 PM)
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 12:18 PM
Post #13 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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It's funny how this turned from checking my engine to being amazed at the price I got it for  . The shop is at an area that is full of mechanics willing to operate on my car. So labor prices go down to compete.
Edit: just saw the pic. Ew no. He would've gotten something like that for a much cheaper price in places where they do these things. 
(This post was edited by mist303 on Mar 1, 2014, 12:22 PM)
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Discretesignals
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Mar 1, 2014, 12:22 PM
Post #14 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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$11 an hour? They operate out of shed? You can't make a living off that. LOL
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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mist303
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Mar 1, 2014, 12:32 PM
Post #15 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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Many of them do operate out of a shed. I kid you not. Few garages have the proper machinery that can lift the car. The rents per garage is low because of their sizes. I am not saying the workers there make a handsome amount of money, just enough.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 1, 2014, 12:37 PM
Post #16 of 16
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Re: New-ish Engine
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That's interesting. Glad to read you got is so cheap and that your car runs better. Your mechanic is right in telling you to change the oil and coolant at those intervals. Keeping an eye on everything is important after installing another engine to be sure everything is doing alright.
It is possible they have used an engine out of another year that might have differences, but if everything plugs in and you don't have any drive-ability problems, it should work out.
edit: took the nasty pic out. Couldn't help myself...LOL
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 1, 2014, 12:52 PM)
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