Lower bearing repair

[Stickman]

03+ manual P5 150k on motor, lower bearing bad. Does the motor have to be pulled out in order to replace just the lower bearings? If I have to pull the motor, is it more cost-effective to just replace the motor with another used, around $900 with shipping. If I have to do all that, is it just better to sell? If I sell, what's a fair price, I'm thinking $1800. 234k, but better shape than what I've seen on the road, new tires, newerbreaks, minimal rust, etc. any advice please. Thanks. Stickman.

 

[pcb]

...Does the motor have to be pulled out in order to replace just the lower bearings? ...

If by "bearing" you mean " engine mount",.. then no...




Apparently you break off a small bolt stud to get clearance for a socket to reach all the bolts from the top with a long extension.

The bolts can be a PITA and it's hard to keep the socket square and not round off the boltheads.

 

[MrGiggles]

With a lower end failure, bearing debris is distributed throughout the motor, and if needs to be hot tanked then flushed to prevent further damage to other areas.

The crankshaft almost always needs machining too, which requires engine removal.

In the old days you could get by with dropping the pan and slipping in some new bearings. That was when oil clearances were .003-.006". The clearance in this engine is half that, and the upper oil pan prevents easy access to the bearings.

I think you'd be hard pressed to get more than 1000 bucks for the car with a bad motor. The buyer will have over a grand in repairing it, and they have to come out ahead to make it worth the trouble.

 

[Stickman]

Pcb, it's in the motor. Thanks though.
Mr G, thanks for the complete explanation. I guess $1000 will be the target amount, then. It looks so good , I just hate to get rid of it. Time to move on. S.