I have a B5 A4 2.8 AHA. I bought it with the headgasket blown. The owner said he ran it for only a very miniscule time when he saw the steam cloud come out of the tail end. So I took a chance on it. When I dug into it I found the pcv tubes and spark plug wire sheaths melted.. It musta got real hot!

I went for replacing the head gaskets. Simple enough.

Had the heads machined & replaced gaskets and a few other little things while I was in there. Got her back together and then heard a tapping in the bank 1 head and also found that bank 2 cylinder 5 has bad rings. Good compression and leak down results in all but cylinder 5 leaking past rings.

So Im looking to replace this engine.

Question here is what route to go.
I found a complete running engine with 115k miles for $1000
Found another one with 60k miles BUT has a broken timing belt for $500


What would you do? Any opinions or ideas are welcome. Thanks...

 

A TB is a DIY, but how and when did it snap? If it messed up all the cylinders and valves when it went, then you'd be in over your head than with your current engine.

When was the last time the TB was done on the running engine? It may need a new one anyway...

 

IDK detailed specifics on the one with the broken TB yet. I know its not running due to broken timing belt due to an accident and thats all I know of it as or right now. Here is the vehicle it would be coming out of.



Ive read in numerous forums that the TB breaking obviously will 9/10 times bend valves. So thats expected and I can replace them. Idk if its a real risk as to the pistons and/or cylinders being shot up or not. With bent valves which ones wouldve bent? All of them? just some? One? Replacing valves would entail new head gaskets & new head bolts and possibly new lifters & guides.

The (115k) running one if I were to purchase it I would do the waterpump and TB on anyhow. Just because IDK when it was done last.

New timing and water pump parts I already have due to replacing them on the current engine I have.

Im torn as to whether doing that is worth it or just buying a running engine with double the miles and almost double the cost is the way to go.

 

Hey if your gonna replace the TB and water pump any way, get the $500 engine. Use the rebuilt heads from your other 2.8. JMHO

Rob

 

But would there really be a significant risk of the pistons being F***d up ? Or is it not too big a deal. What are the chances theyd be ok?

 

You'll know when you take the cylinderheads off. I'm willing to bet they would not sell a engine for $500 if they knew it was totally trashed. You could also ask them to lift the cylinderheads so you can check the pistons. Check and see what the return policy is. Most places will offer some type of return policy. If you pull the heads and the engine is trashed beyond the value of what was payed out, return it.

Rob

 

Ehh.. See I know exactly what youre saying but heres the catch.. I found it online for $250 and $250 to have it shipped to me... So actually the engines not $500 thats actually the price with it shipped a few states over.. Maybe they would pull the heads and take a look for me but IDK.. I have yet to call and talk to the yards mechanic about specifics on the exact condition of it... I wish it was closer.. Theres nothing in this neck of the woods for parts yards or auto recyclers with any type of European cars. Everyone in Northern MN drives crappy domestics. And the Engines I have come across are $1300+ with 175k+ miles. So IDK..

I thought about replacing the rings and trying to figure out what my tapping on bank 1 is but IDK if thatd be worth it.. This thing has 170K and the cylinder with bad rings may be wore out of round for all I know.. Dont think its worth the trouble diggin in deeper with.

Im gonna have to marinate on this one a little. And in the mean time talk to the mechanic about the details of this engine and find out a bit more.

I appreciate the suggestions and ideas.. Thanks !

 

just spend 1g for the good engine because thats a good price with good milage.

dont cheap out for 500 and have risk of future problems.

 

another guy from MN!

theres a junk yard down in biglake that pulls the engines in case they're salvageable. i dont remember the name, i could get it.(and like 2 or 3 other junkyards thta may have a motor for ya)
but i know of a few places down here (most north of metro, sherburne county area) that aren't very "well known" that end up have tons of A4s.

 

Thatd be Great if you could hook me up with the names of these yards... Ive only found like 3 yards in MN that have any engines.. And all of em arent worth it. Thanks for the info!