Pulling the trigger on engine rebuild - suggestions? warnings?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
Pulling the trigger on engine rebuild - suggestions? warnings?
I have 150k miles on an immaculate 2011 A4 2.0T MT6 that over the past two years has deteriorated to losing a quart of oil per 400 miles. Everything works on this car: no dings, no rust, no rim rash. It still looks new. I tried to find a nice 2018 A4 MT6 and failed (ended up with a 2018 Maserati Ghibli instead, so not too much pain). I want to "renew" the A4 and use it as my winter driver. I have done business with both indie shops referenced below.
One local shop suggests replacing the engine with a rebuild for about $7k. I think that is a little to costly.
Another shop will rebuild the engine with new pistons and rings for about $4k. I had a high level discussion with them about the work and am going to revisit for a lot more details. I want to ensure they replace main bearings; I will pay the parts cost to replace water pump, timing chain, tensioners, t-stat; and want to hear my options if the valves are coked or carboned up which I understand is common with these engines. Is there anything else I should have them look into or replace while the engine is "open". I have heard that the camshaft can wear badly but I have no evidence of a problem. The car has plenty of pick up so indications are that the turbo is good.
I just want to make sure I have thought of all reasonable parts replacements and ask all the smart questions. I am not trying to avoid expenses BUT I want to make sure I do this right the first time and can happily drive this vehicle for another 100k.
One local shop suggests replacing the engine with a rebuild for about $7k. I think that is a little to costly.
Another shop will rebuild the engine with new pistons and rings for about $4k. I had a high level discussion with them about the work and am going to revisit for a lot more details. I want to ensure they replace main bearings; I will pay the parts cost to replace water pump, timing chain, tensioners, t-stat; and want to hear my options if the valves are coked or carboned up which I understand is common with these engines. Is there anything else I should have them look into or replace while the engine is "open". I have heard that the camshaft can wear badly but I have no evidence of a problem. The car has plenty of pick up so indications are that the turbo is good.
I just want to make sure I have thought of all reasonable parts replacements and ask all the smart questions. I am not trying to avoid expenses BUT I want to make sure I do this right the first time and can happily drive this vehicle for another 100k.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
No response, so BUMP.
I asked for an itemized estimate from the shop that suggested the $4k rebuild. Labor is $3k and parts (including $1254 for a stage 2 clutch) is another $4400. So I am up to $7400 plus tax. Suddenly having a completely remanufactured engine for $7k makes sense.
Does anyone else have any experience, good or bad, with having an engine REBUILT or REPLACED with costs?? I would appreciate any frame of reference provided.
I asked for an itemized estimate from the shop that suggested the $4k rebuild. Labor is $3k and parts (including $1254 for a stage 2 clutch) is another $4400. So I am up to $7400 plus tax. Suddenly having a completely remanufactured engine for $7k makes sense.
Does anyone else have any experience, good or bad, with having an engine REBUILT or REPLACED with costs?? I would appreciate any frame of reference provided.
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