Engine knocking - new engine?

[Harry_uk]

I have a 2000 registered roadster which I've had for 15 years, over that 15 years I've had a new engine and last year a new gearbox and clutch. Unfortunately the engine has just started knocking again and after a couple of mechanics looking at it they both think the engine needs to come out. Since the engine has gone wrong the second time and then looking online on this forum I can see that it could be the pre-cat issue and since the first occasion I have kept an eye on the oil and there is always plenty. I'm reluctant to put another new engine in because the car won't be worth the cost of the parts and labour. If I hadnt just paid £800 for new clutch and gearbox I would have the cash to get it fixed. I am in a dilemma what to do?

Any suggestions?

[krazysteve]

Do you enjoy the car, does it put that big smile on your face?  save it  Mr Sloan on fb probably has a decent lump ready to fit.
If it has no other immediate issues save it.

[Harry_uk]

How much do you think a new engine would be now?

[krazysteve]

around £300,

[Treboeth]

How much do you think a new engine would be now?

Contact details in the Affiliates
For Dick and Dean, as above both reliable guys
 l viewforum.php?f=91 l

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[smarty72]

Is it using loads of oil?  Did it run very low on oil?

If the answer to both is no, would new bearing shells fix the issue?  Which as I understand it would only be a sump off job and minimal work... although I would wait for someone who actually knows what they're talking about to come along....

[Harry_uk]

The oil level has been fine and it's not really covered many miles over the last few years, about 3k a year

[Harry_uk]

Thanks for all your input, I would be interested to know of any recommendations of who could fit? I have sent a PM to Dean. The other option would be to sell it as it is, but do you think somebody would buy it as a project?

[ilovejapcrap]

Is it using loads of oil?  Did it run very low on oil?

If the answer to both is no, would new bearing shells fix the issue?  Which as I understand it would only be a sump off job and minimal work... although I would wait for someone who actually knows what they're talking about to come along....

I was thinking the same

[Carolyn]

Typically, a rod bearing will show up as a rattle that isn't there at idle but gets louder and obvious at around 3,000 rpm.  First thing to do is make sure it IS a rod bearing problem.

You have little to loose by pulling the pan and inspecting the rod bearing shells.  At least you'll know if it is, indeed, bearing knock.  However, I'd be wondering how you came to damage a bearing (Have you been driving enthusiastically round a long right handed bend?).  A rod bearing failure implies a loss of oil pressure.  That could be because the oil pick-up temporarily sucked air, or it could be for some other reason.

If you have spun a rod bearing, you can clean any white metal build-up off the crank and put in some standard size replacement shells, put the pan back on and see if the knock goes away.  If it doesn't, the 'knock' is coming from something else in the engine (possibly timing gear or a bad valve).

A decent used engine will cost around £450, but there'll be no guarantee that it's trouble free, as a breaker can't drive them far enough to know if it's an oil-burner or not.

Depending on how much metal got around the engine, you might get away with it, or you might have taken the edges off the rings, in which case it will consume some oil in future.

Dean used to offer engine swaps,.  I don't know if he still does.  That would cost around £800 including a used engine. Of course, you'd have to get the car to his place.
I would pay a maximum of £300 for a pre face-lift car with a bad engine.  That seems miserly, but it will need £1,000 worth of parts and work to get it right and £1300 is about what it would be worth after it's fixed.

[Tomo70]

Are you 100 percent sure its an engine knock.its not your auxillary tension arm.
 Low mileage, not burning oil, and not driven hard dont sound familiar statements when it comes to bottom end bearing failure.

[Harry_uk]

Could anybody recommend a garage which could take care of it? I'm located in Essex/Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire border

[ilovejapcrap]

Any indie garage should be fine mate.

It's not a specialist vehicle, a overhead twin  cam petrol engine is run of the mill stuff.

Any mechanic will know his way around it. Just ask a few neighbours who they use, and are pleased by.

Don't judge a book by its cover one of the best mechanics I know out my way works at a tyre place and is the only mechanic mainly doing run of mill service etc.

Flash gear don't mean much.

[Harry_uk]

Hi ilovejapcrap,

I've been looking at your project black, very impressed! I wish I had the expertise, time and space which you have. I could then bring my beloved MR2 back to life.

[Carolyn]

Hi Harry,

I just noticed in your post about selling your car, that it's 'knocking at idle'.  Doesn't sound like a typical bottom end problem.  Please don't give up until you've had it looked at by a decent mechanic....

[Harry_uk]

I now have it advertised on eBay, am I allowed to put a link on here?

[ChrisGB]

I now have it advertised on eBay, am I allowed to put a link on here?

Linking to eBay etc is not permitted. However, you can list your car in the cars for sale section. Be sure to read the rules for sellers before posting. Good luck with the sale!

[Harry_uk]

I've decided that if nobody bids for the car for the price which I have it advertised for then I will get it fixed myself. If anybody has a recommendation for a good garage who would be happy to work on the car please let me know.