Engine Rebuild

[Timmy_03-P5]

2003 p5, 114k miles, owned the car for a little over a year now:

About 6 months ago I noticed that I had lost some oil between oil changes (had fallen about a half-quart low it looked like), so I watched the oil level and coolant level to see if anything was getting worse. I replaced the PCV since some guys had had the same problem and this solved it. Seemed to help, but didn't get rid of the problem, so I figured I could limp it through my last semester in college, and rebuild it next summer when I had the time and funds. I haven't been losing any coolant, but between oil changes I had lost about a quart of oil (~3000 miles each). This was until last weekend I took a 250 mile trip, so I checked the oil before I left, and since I was about to change the oil before I left, I checked it and it was about a quart low…knew I was headed for either new valve seals, or maybe rings since the coolant and oil were still not mixing.

That is until this morning. I went to drive for the second time since I returned back from the long trip, and the coolant reservoir is empty and, of course, oil is all creamy…great. So I'm assuming head gasket, amongst possible other things? I was thinking of getting the engine rebuild kit from Rock Auto, the one with out the timing belt since I just did that a year ago. My step dad can grind the valves for me while I have the head off, and I just need to get this back together since it is my daily driver.

tl;dr: been losing oil for a few months, assuming head gasket has finally given out since coolant reservoir is almost empty and I'm looking for some tips and/or recommendations for beginning the rebuild.

Thanks for all of your help this time, and the past times I've posted.

 

[brandini]

Check everything for flatness, deck only as needed, and have them clean up the ports (just light duty) to get any casting bits and roughness out of there.

A proper valve job is a MUST and have the valves adjusted while you have the head off.

Use a cheap oil on first start just in case there's junk in there you want it to disperse and then about 500 miles later change it to your regular stuff and then life as usual.

And good luck!

 

[mp5la]

I'd replace the timing belt itself (not the idlers, pulleys, water pump, etc) just as a precaution. They don't always take kindly to removal and reinstallation. It's cheap insurance. Make sure the kit contains all of the gaskets you need as well. It sucks having to wait a week for a small gasket to arrive.

 

[c4racer]

you may want to consider getting a Japan market take-out motor instead of rebuilding yours. Easier, probably similar cost, and I like original factory built motors better than a rebuild in general. These take-outs have 35-40K miles on them. I put one in after a similar issue caused by a blown radiator, which overheated the motor and also likely warped the head. I think I paid $900 for the motor shipped to my door. That was at 120K miles and the car now has 170K and the motor is going strong. I did replace the timing belt and water pump while it was out of the car and easier access. anyway, something to consider.

 

[ap123]

If you plan of keeping the car for a while and want to do a rebuild, do your self a favor and buy oem parts for a rebuild. Don't waste your money on cheap aftermarket parts.

If you don't plan on keeping the car for too long get a used engine from a junk yard. A rebuild won't be worth your time and money.