Anyone blown a motor?

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:44 am

Jeep is at shop now? No power bad tapping noise. When I do key trick, 0203 and 0205 come up. Both of those codes are for injectors. Compression test being done. Any body have any ideas or a cheap motor in NJ. 175,000 miles and two payments left.
This may be the end of my Libby days and I missed cash for clunkers.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:32 pm

You don't mention what your engine is but if it's a 3.7L V6 I have read the valve springs can brake and this would cause the tapping and no power. It will show up with a compression test. It's not a really big deal if that's what it is to fix

jeepskate · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:25 pm

Yeah, I had a valve spring break at 100K miles. If that's what it is, it won't be cheap to repair but it should be a lot less than to replace the engine, as long as there's no major collateral damage. If it is a broken spring, and you plan to drive this thing much longer, be sure the shop replaces all the valves and springs, not just the one. A good shop will at least suggest, if not insist, that you do them all. I wound up paying about $1,500. That was at a dealership. Would've been cheaper elsewhere, I'm sure.

For me, it was an easy decision at 100K. At 175K with only two payments left, I might have had second thoughts.

IceColeNH · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:17 pm

Been there. About a year ago. Valve spring let go. Valve stem ended up in Exhaust manifold, intake manifold melted and valve head tore up the cylinder wall. Was cheaper for me to get a rebuilt and trade in.

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:25 pm

IceColeNH,
What did it run ya if ya dont mind me askin'? Ive got 175,000 miles and still owe $900 to Chrysler(or somebody). Is there any trade in if motor gone? Front brakes are two days new rotors and all.
To qoute the great Buddy Baker "If I bought a Turkey farm they would outlaw Thanksgiving".

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:45 pm

Its official engine is gone. I'm thinking of swapping in used motor and cannot do myself so I'm lookin at around 3 grand depending on what shop can get donor 3.7L for. Any body got any advice or know of a motor somewhere near NJ. I was just getting ready to celebrate paying it off too. Anybody know what a steering rack goes for as I may do that while motor is out, I know the bushings are shot.
Would it be worth anything at trade in?
You guys have been a lot of help in the past if I decide to put it down Id like to say thanks

jeepskate · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:59 pm

That stinks, sorry.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:41 am

Your best bet for a donor vehicle is junk yards and impound lots. Break out the yellow pages (online or the real thing) and start calling around.

A littlbe bit of leg work could end up saving you some money if you find a nicer motor.

IceColeNH · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:58 pm

motor 3000.
intake 90.
various parts and labor 800ish.
motor had 60000 mile warranty.
Machining old engine would have had similar costs without warranty.
Junk yards were cheaper with less or no warranty.

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:38 am

Thanks all, I Am looking and so is shop.
Was 3000 ollar motor a rebuid?
If anyone knows of one pls let ne know

belvedere · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:32 pm

Check these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03-04 ... ccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JEEP-LIB ... ccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-Liber ... ccessories

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:55 pm

Thanks,
I had looked at these this afternoon. Shop called me today, they said they have a guy they trust who has one with 75K. Rough price to install in mine 3,900. He says they redo all gaskets and water pump and such, part and labor warrenty for 90 days or 9K miles. I can't believe I am contemplating putting $4K into this but I really don't want to restart monthly payments and a 4K down payment on new. Don't think I want anyone elses $4K headache either.
He has another Liberty in shop now about to be done.
Anybody know what a steering rack goes for ? I am thinking about doing that now as the bushings are definatly toasted and I should at least do them if I go thru with engine swap ( I miss my 76 Blazer, I could do that one myself)
Any thought besides winning lotto?

jeepskate · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:09 pm

Wow. I understand not wanting to make payments again, but that seems like a lot for an engine with 75K on it and only a 90-day warranty. I'm no expert, so I could be way off-base on the value for money. But I'd sure be thinking twice about that.

jeepskate · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:27 pm

Are we talking about the 3.7 gas engine? This place has a three-year unlimited-mileage warranty on a used engine for $2499.99. You'd have to pay installation of course, but they have free shipping. Sure a lot better than a 90-day warranty. Website says they'll ship to one of their certified installers, which seems like it would guarantee that they'd have to honor the warranty. Plus a one-year labor warranty if you use one of their installers.

http://www.everdrive.com/partdetails.aspx?sku=3069769

jnaut · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:54 pm

jimjeep0 wrote:

Its official engine is gone. I'm thinking of swapping in used motor and cannot do myself so I'm lookin at around 3 grand depending on what shop can get donor 3.7L for. Any body got any advice or know of a motor somewhere near NJ. I was just getting ready to celebrate paying it off too. Anybody know what a steering rack goes for as I may do that while motor is out, I know the bushings are shot.
Would it be worth anything at trade in?
You guys have been a lot of help in the past if I decide to put it down Id like to say thanks

Man, real sorry to hear that. That's like being 'short' in Vietnam and getting your foot blown off.

My opinion: it might be worth fixing if nothing else is really wrong with the Jeep. You mention the steering rack. But if the rest of the vehicle is solid, often times the long term expense of a new vehicle (with a whole new set of payments) isn't worth the $3 grand for a new motor.

Mine just got paid off earlier this month. I'm at 76k. So if I ever get to 175k and need a new motor, I'd probably swap it in a heartbeat. $3 grand is a lot easier to stare down than another five years of car payments.

Boiler · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:53 pm

I'm sure this has no bearing at all vs the 3.7, but I put a used 3.1 (i think) in my taurus that had 60k miles on it for $650 bucks for the used motor and $600 bucks labor at a local shop. it had a 60 or 90 day warranty that it would run, but it ran for about 5 years / 60k before I junked the car (engine). I figured at that price I could afford to do it twice if it didnt work out, versus putting in a rebuilt jasper engine for about 2600. I took the gamble and it payed off.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:03 pm

You now that a brand new(not rebuilt or remaned) 3.7 short block is only about $2000,slap another $1400 for new heads and your set for another 175,000 miles.

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:01 pm

Since I dont have the time or knowledge to do myself, labor is a big part of costs for me.
I have not talked in real detail on price, seemed high for me. I put some calls out today to other shops to compare.
Shop its at now claims they will only get used motor from a couple of his usual suppliers that he trusts. He originally said around 3K but because of the engine price it would be more like 3,9K. I have not asked about rebuilt or new short block and heads(I would guess the labor end would make that higher).
I hate these decisions and I did not win lottery tonight.
Keep thoughts commin

jeepskate · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:12 am

If that's the best this shop can do, I'd definitely go elsewhere. You should be able to get a new engine or a much better warranty for 4 grand. No way would I drop that kind of money for a 90-day warranty.

jimjeep0 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:59 pm

Found one today a junkyard, supossedly had 45,000 shops wants 1,900 for engine and 650 to put in. Is there a way to tell milage if engine not in vehicle?
Any one think I should inquire about tranny if avail? Mine is an auto with 175,000. Not sure if avail but would hate to do all this if I can get tranny with alot less milage. Going to yard monday to talk face to face. Also this would be a direct swap, new fluids only. If I want them to redo seals or waterpump or aything else that would be extra.
Also anyone know part for steering rack bushings, he said if I brought them he would install while engine is out.
Any thoughts?

Anyone blown a motor?

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