Tick Tick Tick

[Pro5.0]

So my P5 was just diagnosed by two seperate mechanics...Loose rod bearing, with metal shavings in the oil...108k miles. So young!

Anyway, thought I would ask some advice and thoughts from you guys. The consensus from searching (and mechanics) is that it's better off to replace the engine than the bearing. The car will eventually lock up. A brand new engine is not an option, it would cost almost as much as the car. So here they are:

1) Rebuilt engine, probably installed for roughly $2500. Considering the rest of the car already has over 100k on it, is it worth it?

2) Get another car new/used. And use the P5 as a beater till it dies. Problem with this is, it's at the stage where 100k maintenance is recommended as well, so dumping more money into a car that will die is not really wise.

I live in an apartment by myself, so no garage to work on a car. I need to find a solution rather quickly due to needing to get to work daily. And in all reality, the car could last like this for a week, or years. There is no telling.

Any other options? Thoughts?

Those new Mazdaspeed3's look very nice...the G8 as well lol

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

well.. the shavings in the oil could just be from the bearing.. so.. idk. you can just replace bearings... at least temp... where are you locateD?

 

[Pro5.0]

I'm in Illinois. From what I've found, just replacing the bearings will only buy minimal time and I will just hear the knocking a few weeks later. And with regards to the shavings in the oil, you are correct, they are most likely because of the bearing. But, the fact that they are there means I've had metal shavings flowing throughout my engine and could easily have done damage to the the rest of the engine. And also, will continue to do damage even after the bearing was replaced.

 

[cbrcrx]

You can get a used engine here in Nashville for around $1200 installed with a new timing belt/water pump and with a guarantee.

 

[Pro5.0]

cbrcrx, where did you find this information? It would be useful. Hell, if I could get a used engine put in at that low a price I could just make this my beater car anyway and buy another haha.

 

[pro5turbo]

even that, you could spend 2500 and get a brand new crate motor lol. and YES those G8's look SICK, but i'm addicted to the Dodge Caliber SRT-4's - they look more BOSS, but they aren't.

Rebuilding your engine is promising, because they're going to have to start rebuilding from the head anyways, and they're going to have to flush everything out. So that's probably your best bet, if you can find a good deal. This way, rebuilding, you can put custom parts into it and it can pay off in the longrun.

My last car, i got rid of, the first sign it gave me that we were going to be on a financial bumpy road, then I got my P5. I kinda regretted it ever since, up until I paid off my P5....now I can care less. LOL

 

[Breeegz]

Ken from ProtegeGarage can source used engines fairly well I am told.. and his website lists a brand new motor @ $2000 (which is much better that the $5000 quote I got from a dealer)..

Keep us updated.

 

[Pro5.0]

Hmm...yeah. I guess part of the decision is based on a few other things lol. I'm not old by any means (I'm 25), but the car is yellow, bought it when I was younger. I feel like I'm ready for more of a "big boy" car, vs. this little yellow toy. It's been a great car though. I enjoy not having a car payment as well...paid 7k for it a few years ago intending for it to last a long time, however, dumping the car now would feel wasteful. If I had it repaired, it would really only be for the reason of it being a winter car in the near future.

I think I can honestly say, if it weren't yellow I probably would not hesitate lol.

And Breeegz, I agree, dealer quoted me $5800 brand new installed...ridiculous! The car is not worth that much!

 

[cbrcrx]

cbrcrx, where did you find this information? It would be useful. Hell, if I could get a used engine put in at that low a price I could just make this my beater car anyway and buy another haha.

A big salvage lot here does motor swaps and they will do timing belts, etc before they install it. My sister had a VTEC motor replaced in her Odyssey and it was only $1100 with the belts and water pump. Just call some places. Some of them aren't just junk yards.

 

[Pro5.0]

Wow that's great to know cbr, thanks I'll check into it

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

A good independent mechanic can source and engine for a lot less than what you've been quoted. PG is unfortunately no longer dealing in used engines, but a good mech will get it done for you at a good price. (less thank $2k).

 

[Pro5.0]

even more reason I visit these forums... glad I asked here. Sounds like under 2k is very reasonable for what I need. I will be doing some new car search tomorrow since car lots are open and I have to cover all my bases, then engine searching sunday. I'll try to figure things out by Monday.

Side note: I added some 10W40 high mileage (idea from mechanic) and it helped with the loudness of knocking. Obviously the issue is not gone, but basically gave it some "aspirin" for the moment it sounds like lol

 

[bgibb68]

Hmm...yeah. I guess part of the decision is based on a few other things lol. I'm not old by any means (I'm 25), but the car is yellow, bought it when I was younger. I feel like I'm ready for more of a "big boy" car, vs. this little yellow toy. It's been a great car though. I enjoy not having a car payment as well...paid 7k for it a few years ago intending for it to last a long time, however, dumping the car now would feel wasteful. If I had it repaired, it would really only be for the reason of it being a winter car in the near future.

I think I can honestly say, if it weren't yellow I probably would not hesitate lol.

And Breeegz, I agree, dealer quoted me $5800 brand new installed...ridiculous! The car is not worth that much!

hey....just turned 29.....and i love my lil yellow car......i'm keeping it till someone totals her....cause i bet she won't fall apart....

there's tons of guys in IL.....find a good used engine(~1k) and have and install party.....

i'm at 108k and plan on doing a rebuild at some point but there is nothing worng with her(knock on wood) other than normal wear s***....

 

[cbrcrx]

So weird how some crap out so early. Mine has 162k and I flog it daily. It still runs like new.

 

[bgibb68]

So weird how some crap out so early. Mine has 162k and I flog it daily. It still runs like new.

honestly...i went from a s10 with the 4.3 and i was scared about getting the 2.0 4 banger.....but this lil car has way surpassed any thoughts i had(dance)

 

[StealthWyvern]

So weird how some crap out so early. Mine has 162k and I flog it daily. It still runs like new.

Tell me about it... my old p5 had almost 170k on it and didn't burn any oil from what I noticed and didn't smoke! I only got rid of it due to the auto trans going and wanting back into a stick.(wrc)

 

[drgnzadiel101]

A big salvage lot here does motor swaps and they will do timing belts, etc before they install it. My sister had a VTEC motor replaced in her Odyssey and it was only $1100 with the belts and water pump. Just call some places. Some of them aren't just junk yards.

honda motorsa re very simple to replace. over here they charge 800 for motor and tranny swap (without guarantee). so for 1100, its a good deal!

 

[cbrcrx]

honda motorsa re very simple to replace. over here they charge 800 for motor and tranny swap (without guarantee). so for 1100, its a good deal!

This was an Odyssey, not a Civic. Not as easy.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

This was an Odyssey, not a Civic. Not as easy.

did they at least drop an h22 in there?

 

[cbrcrx]

did they at least drop an h22 in there?

No she is a regular girl, not into engine upgrades.