Car problems.... advice?

McSweeny · 04-08-2003, 04:46 PM

ok well my car died the other day so i had it towed into the garage...

they just called and said the engine is shot, i guess it seized up. So he said he was going to call some factory and a junk yard to look for prices on rebuilt engines and would call me tomorrow. He said he didn't know what it would end up costing me.

So, I'm pretty pissed off. Granted my car was 10 years old and had 130,000 miles on it, but damnit!

so i have no idea what to do... i would like to just say sure drop another engine in it right? But i figure it's going to be damn exspensive. I could probably get another used car for the price of the engine. But, my car is in great shape otherwise. It's been taken care of extremely well over the last 10 years and i like it alot. So i don't really want to go out and get another used one or whatever.

So any advice from any gearheads here?

oh by the way, it's a 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix

McSweeny · 04-08-2003, 04:57 PM

dola...

i was just browsing around looking at '94 grand prix rebuilt engines and it looks like it's in the 1200-1400 range plus like 100 bucks shipping... that's not too bad... any idea what labor would cost on something like this?

ctmason · 04-08-2003, 05:00 PM

I don't know anything about the engines in those Pontiacs, I've never worked on them, at least not that I can remember.

That said, if you're interested in the most frugal thing to do, it is almost ALWAYS a safer bet to put in a rebuilt or even factory new engine. As long as you are confident that the drivetrain and body are in good shape (and that isn't a given at 130,000 for most vehicles).

I wish I could give you a quote on what you could expect to pay, but I'd have to know more about the engine that you had.

Good rule of thumb is if you're spending less than $2,000 go with the engine, any more than that and you're in a price range where you can get something used that will give you a few years of use if properly maintained.

What happened to the engine specifically?

Note: Make certain that the person replacing the engine is someone you know and trust to be a competent mechanic, if you can't do it yourself.

Airhog · 04-08-2003, 05:46 PM

I cost me 1800 dollars to have a rebuilt engine put in my 76 impala. The engine was only 600-800 dollars. YMMV

sabotai · 04-08-2003, 06:08 PM

I eventually had to buy a new (old) car....that one i scurrently in the shop right now.

Had a 1992 Dodge Shadow with 140,000+ miles. Gutted it.

Have a 1005 Hyundai Elantra - in the shop because of transmission.

So right now, no car.

My advise...

A good used car will probably cost at least $2500, probably more. If putting the negine in is about that or lower, go with the engine. If it's significantly higher, go get a new car.

kid_dynamite · 04-08-2003, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctmason
I
What happened to the engine specifically?

i am curious as well about what happened. if it has been kept in such good shape and only is at the 130,000 mile mark, shouldnt the engine still be running hard? i guess i dont know much about cars but i just didnt think that this would happen that often. and also like stated above (i should have quoted it too since its the same damn person) make sure that you know and trust this person working on your car. sometimes people can take total advantage of you without you even knowing a damn thing.

McSweeny · 04-08-2003, 07:02 PM

well aparently the engine siezed up... i don't know why. The guy said there was almost no oil in the car even though it had been changed recently. I had not noticed any leaks or anything, so I really do not know. I don't know much about cars.

i do trust the mechanic working on it very much, so that is not a problem

sabotai · 04-09-2003, 01:26 AM

Well, my Dodge Shadow had few problems and then all of sudden, BAM!, everything goes. Radiator crack, oil leak, belts, water pump, etc. etc....I don't even know the extent of it but it was just an avalanche of problems. So engines can just suddenly self-destruct.

JeeberD · 04-09-2003, 02:18 AM

What you gotta do is find a way to prove that the folks who changed your oil forgot to put new oil in. That way you can sue them and they'll buy you a new car. I used to know a guy who worked at a Walmart auto service department and he always told a story about how a new guy once put the fresh oil in the windshield wiper fluid reservior and that the guys car blew up. Walmart wound up buying the guy a brand new car...

cthomer5000 · 04-09-2003, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by McSweeny
well aparently the engine siezed up... i don't know why. The guy said there was almost no oil in the car even though it had been changed recently. I had not noticed any leaks or anything, so I really do not know. I don't know much about cars.

i do trust the mechanic working on it very much, so that is not a problem

How "recent" was the oil change?

Fritz · 04-09-2003, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by McSweeny
well aparently the engine siezed up... i don't know why. The guy said there was almost no oil in the car even though it had been changed recently. I had not noticed any leaks or anything, so I really do not know. I don't know much about cars.

i do trust the mechanic working on it very much, so that is not a problem

I had to replace an engine on a faily new car and here is what I learnered:

1.) feel good about the place doing the work. you may be back more than a few times getting shit tweaked.

2.) try your best to find a guy who has put that engine in that model before. If that fails, get someone who has worked that engine.

3.) when the job is done, take it to another engine specialist for an exam. Mechanics have 0 quality assurance, so you will have provide your own.

revrew · 04-09-2003, 11:37 AM

My experience with buying used cars, even from a trustworthy dealership, is that you need to add about $750 to your calculated cost of purchasing it. That extra $750 is to cover the inevitable problems and fixits you'll need to do.

I bought a wonderful old Camry once. Ran it up to 240,000. But I had to put in brakes after I bought it, and that ate up my $750.

My $3000 van needed about $750 in a new choke and a/c repair within the first year.

I bought a used 97 Metro for $3000 a few years back, but had to put about $600 in repairs into her within the first few months. (Fuel injector, etc. etc.) A year later, another $180 for exhaust. She's been a great car for me otherwise, but I've learned my lesson. Take what you're paying and make sure you have at least $750 banked for repairs.

McSweeny · 04-09-2003, 12:44 PM

update

garage called me this morning and said they can put a factory rebuilt engine in for $3600 or they can put a used engine from a local junkyard(with 75,000 miles) for around $1600. I've been calling around this morning to other salvage yards and geting quotes. It looks like i'll be paying somewhere between $1100 and $1800.

I probably won't be going with the factory rebuilt due to price and probably will end up paying the $1600 to have a guy i trust and know put it in for me

StanGunner · 04-09-2003, 03:23 PM

I had a used engine put in a boneville a few years back. Look around for junkyard engines. The price varies with mileage on engine and the warranty they give you. Changing the engine should cost anywhere from $500 to $1000. I found an engine with 5000 miles on it for $595. I only had it changed because the car was in very good condition as you describe yours is and it is better to stick with a used vehicle you know then to get another used vehicle with problems you don't know about. My two cents.

Pyser · 04-09-2003, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabotai
Have a 1005 Hyundai Elantra - in the shop because of transmission.

wow. 1000 years on a car is pretty sweet! how many miles you put on that sucker?

Craptacular · 04-09-2003, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabotai

Had a 1992 Dodge Shadow with 140,000+ miles. Gutted it.

Did your car have those plastic lug nut covers? I need 4 of those for my '93 Sundance.

04-08-2003, 05:46 PM	#4
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	I cost me 1800 dollars to have a rebuilt engine put in my 76 impala. The engine was only 600-800 dollars. YMMV __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

04-08-2003, 06:08 PM	#5
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I eventually had to buy a new (old) car....that one i scurrently in the shop right now. Had a 1992 Dodge Shadow with 140,000+ miles. Gutted it. Have a 1005 Hyundai Elantra - in the shop because of transmission. So right now, no car. My advise... A good used car will probably cost at least $2500, probably more. If putting the negine in is about that or lower, go with the engine. If it's significantly higher, go get a new car. Last edited by sabotai : 04-08-2003 at 06:09 PM.

04-09-2003, 02:18 AM	#9
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	What you gotta do is find a way to prove that the folks who changed your oil forgot to put new oil in. That way you can sue them and they'll buy you a new car. I used to know a guy who worked at a Walmart auto service department and he always told a story about how a new guy once put the fresh oil in the windshield wiper fluid reservior and that the guys car blew up. Walmart wound up buying the guy a brand new car... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

04-09-2003, 11:37 AM	#12
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	My experience with buying used cars, even from a trustworthy dealership, is that you need to add about $750 to your calculated cost of purchasing it. That extra $750 is to cover the inevitable problems and fixits you'll need to do. I bought a wonderful old Camry once. Ran it up to 240,000. But I had to put in brakes after I bought it, and that ate up my $750. My $3000 van needed about $750 in a new choke and a/c repair within the first year. I bought a used 97 Metro for $3000 a few years back, but had to put about $600 in repairs into her within the first few months. (Fuel injector, etc. etc.) A year later, another $180 for exhaust. She's been a great car for me otherwise, but I've learned my lesson. Take what you're paying and make sure you have at least $750 banked for repairs. __________________ Winner of 6 FOFC Scribe Awards, including 3 Gold Scribes Founder of the ZFL, 2004 Golden Scribe Dynasty of the Year Now bringing The Des Moines Dragons back to life, and the joke's on YOU, NFL! I came to the Crossroad. I took it. And that has made all the difference.

04-08-2003, 04:57 PM	#2
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	dola... i was just browsing around looking at '94 grand prix rebuilt engines and it looks like it's in the 1200-1400 range plus like 100 bucks shipping... that's not too bad... any idea what labor would cost on something like this?

04-08-2003, 05:00 PM	#3
ctmason High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Mesa, AZ	I don't know anything about the engines in those Pontiacs, I've never worked on them, at least not that I can remember. That said, if you're interested in the most frugal thing to do, it is almost ALWAYS a safer bet to put in a rebuilt or even factory new engine. As long as you are confident that the drivetrain and body are in good shape (and that isn't a given at 130,000 for most vehicles). I wish I could give you a quote on what you could expect to pay, but I'd have to know more about the engine that you had. Good rule of thumb is if you're spending less than $2,000 go with the engine, any more than that and you're in a price range where you can get something used that will give you a few years of use if properly maintained. What happened to the engine specifically? Note: Make certain that the person replacing the engine is someone you know and trust to be a competent mechanic, if you can't do it yourself.

04-08-2003, 07:02 PM	#7
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	well aparently the engine siezed up... i don't know why. The guy said there was almost no oil in the car even though it had been changed recently. I had not noticed any leaks or anything, so I really do not know. I don't know much about cars. i do trust the mechanic working on it very much, so that is not a problem

04-09-2003, 01:26 AM	#8
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	Well, my Dodge Shadow had few problems and then all of sudden, BAM!, everything goes. Radiator crack, oil leak, belts, water pump, etc. etc....I don't even know the extent of it but it was just an avalanche of problems. So engines can just suddenly self-destruct.

04-09-2003, 12:44 PM	#13
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	update garage called me this morning and said they can put a factory rebuilt engine in for $3600 or they can put a used engine from a local junkyard(with 75,000 miles) for around $1600. I've been calling around this morning to other salvage yards and geting quotes. It looks like i'll be paying somewhere between $1100 and $1800. I probably won't be going with the factory rebuilt due to price and probably will end up paying the $1600 to have a guy i trust and know put it in for me

04-09-2003, 03:23 PM	#14
StanGunner Mascot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Rural Western NY	I had a used engine put in a boneville a few years back. Look around for junkyard engines. The price varies with mileage on engine and the warranty they give you. Changing the engine should cost anywhere from $500 to $1000. I found an engine with 5000 miles on it for $595. I only had it changed because the car was in very good condition as you describe yours is and it is better to stick with a used vehicle you know then to get another used vehicle with problems you don't know about. My two cents.

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