Hello car gurus. I must first confess that I, through my ignorance, allowed a perfectly healthy Del Sol engine become ruined.

I don't know a lot about cars. But I remember the technicians saying the camshaft literally broke in half due to the engine getting too hot?

I was adding oil into the engine and stopped when It seemed to be at the right amount. With that said, 2 days later the oil late came on. The next day it was off. This happened a bit more, then the oil light stayed on. I honestly thought it was an error with the light because I just added a fresh bottle of oil and I didn't see any oil leaking onto pavement when I had the car parked. So I didn't get it check out in time. I never noticed any smoke-burning-strange smells, etc. It feels like it just happened out of nowhere. The technicians said the oil was being burned verrrrry slowly over that period of time.

So...I learned that the engine can leak oil from inside and that heats up the engine and dries it out.

Engine is done now. Needs to be rebuilt or replaced with a used engine.

Cost of rebuilt engine repairs is quoted at $3800.

Cost of replacing with used engine I think is $3500'ish. This used engine was claimed to have 180k miles on it (Service dept claimed it was the only one they could find.)

Please, understand I have a lack of technical knowledge so if any advice is given, just keep that in mind.

I LOVED my Del Sol and wanted it to last a long time. Only had 130k miles on it. I'd love to get it back up and running cheaply but most importantly...effectively...so I don't have to spend more down the road.

I have done some research and heard lots of discussion about JDM motors and such. I'd like to hear if this is a viable option.

I suppose I could throw in the option of simply buying another honda for 3.5 to 4k. (The ones selling for 1k or 2k on craigslist don't look like they'd pass MD state inspections...)

Thanks.

 

jdm engine can be a good source but it depends on the mechanic.

 

i suggest you rebuild your own motor, If the rebuilder knows what he is doing well. it will be more reliable to do so instead installing an engine you realy dont know its condition.

do some market research for hondas and accuras rebuilder specialists and get the best price.

find reviews of the honda/accura mechanic that you have chosen.

 

Where are you located? There are lots of reputable shops that can handle it for you, just ask around. As far as the suggestion of rebuilding you own engine, if you trashed an engine because you don't know about cars, I wouldn't rely on your skills to rebuild it at the moment, that's not the best advice.

 

This.

Plus, even if I did 100 hours of research, I can't pay that much money in rental fees!!

 

Outside Baltimore MD.

 

A motor swap shouldn't cost nearly 4,000.

you're being had

 

I actually had issues with both the cost AND the insane high mileage.

Am I to believe a used motor can't be found with less than 180k miles on it?

I thought civic and del sols shared the same engines...Or is this repair center legally forced to search for a used engine off another Del Sol?

 

You haven't told us your car's trim, so we can't tell you what it should reasonably cost, but regardless, four thousand dollars is way too high.

 

Base Model. "S" I believe.

 

ok - so if I call around to different shops to get a quote for service - should I expect them to give me a bill of $1,000 more after saying "Welll....we had to do some extra work that we didn't anticipate...so, we had to increase the bill."

Of course I'd do my best to find a reputable shop. Hopefully without all those obvious fake reviews you see people pay for on google location reviews.

I also assume shops with no reviews can't be too bad because they aren't pissing anyone off enough to get them to post hateful reviews

Also - Give me an estimate of what a solid quote would be.

And how much is a repair shop going to be paying for the engine itself? If it's a used engine with ~180k miles on it then I'd reallllly be shocked if it was even above $800 or $1k for that motor.

 

If you do decide to use a used engine you should have the basic tests run on it to ensure you aren't getting a dud. A compression and leakdown test should give you a decent idea of if the motor is wasted or not.

personally I would break it down and put new gaskets in it but that's just me, it'd be easier to do while its out.

installing an engine in the civic platform is actually incredibly easy, if you've never noticed, the hood stands straight up for that purpose.

 

I'd say a good condition engine with lowish miles couldn't cost more than 1,000. You can get a "guaranteed low miles" ******* 2jz turbo longblock w/ manifolds and accessories even the turbo for 1,000. You can get a 3sgte same deal plus the trans and differentials for 1,000.

and the labor should really be about 1,000 at most too. Real shops have overhead and stuff but seriously it should be like half of what they quoted you.

 

Call around to other shops and get more quotes, that's WAY too high. Also you could alternatively call junkyards for engines. The D15B7 is the most common engine of that vintage and you can use one from a 92-95 Civic as well. You could even "upgrade" and use a D16Z6 from a 92-95 Civic or Del Sol. If that method doesn't pan out call Hmotors and they can point you in the right direction. There's no way I'd rebuild that motor if the camshaft got hot enough to break in half.

 

Ok, so the motors I've looked at, at least the JDM motors for the D15B7 are under $1,000.

Also, lots of sites mention repair quotes at being $100-$120/hour for solid, reputable shops.

Estimated time for engine swap I've seen posted from 10-12 hours.

So even on the high side, that's still only $1400/labor and $800 or so for a USED motor.

I'm definitely gonna call around.

It's times like this I just wanna stop life, so some research and do this **** myself lol. But If I can find quotes around $2200-$2500 I'll probably go for that.

Thanks everyone for their help. At least now I can ask semi-intelligent questions when I call around for quotes.

 

A vtec d16z6 upgrade might take 12 hours but an exact replacement? Thats gotta include time to put in a new timing belt component kit or something.

IV seen b swaps go faster than that

 

Make sure you know what the costs are and no hidden charges. If you're replacing a d-series engine with another than there shouldn't be any additional charges for extra parts. If I were you get those seals replaced.

 

cam and crank seals along with the timing belt, water pump, and tensioner. Distributor O ring, valve cover gasket w/ spark plug tube seals. Oil & filter.

there may be a few other high-failure-rate items you should deff buy when you still have the replacement engine out.

 

I called another shop that quoted $3200. 80k mile engine...Said the engine was $1300.

I do trust that he is competent, he took the time to answer questions without any dismissive "you're wasting my time" attitude.

6 month 6,000 mile warranty.

He attempted to find Jasper engines that were the D15 I currently have and no luck.

I remember he mentioned $3200 included timing belt, water pump, a few others things.

I found This engine and price off this site

http://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc...age&item=30021

Is this exactly what the mechanic would be buying?

Would a shop be willing to do the swap with an engine that isn't sold from their usual engine sellers?

Cause he said $1300 for the used engine and hmotors lists the engine at $800.

 

We don't know the source of where the mechanic will be getting the engine. You need to make a note of what he said he will be replacing.

 

Prob will only offer certain warranty items if they don't source the engine.

 

Ok, decision has been made, finally.

My father agreed to help with the costs of having the engine completely rebuilt - Quote was $3700, includes $70 a year for a 100,000 warranty.

Used engine was only 6 month warranty. For $500 more, I'm getting what could arguably be a better engine (Rebuilt vs Used engine) plus an awesome warranty option.

Buying another Del Sol and fixing it up didn't sit well with me. I already have a Del Sol that works perfectly fine and I will be ecstatic once the engine is back in and I drive it around with the top off!

Thanks everyone for the advice - Someday maybe I'll be able to buy a total POS and rebuild it from the ground up. That sounds like fun, although intimidating for my fairly ignorant knowledge set.

Over and Out.

 

You're getting ripped off big time. If I'm not mistaken you can but a brand new block from Honda for that much. Get a JDM replacement and at most pay maybe $1,500 for teh engine and the install.

 

I agree but my father grunts and moans about how if he's going to put up money, he's going to do it HIS way.

Although I have an extremely difficult time believing a shop is going to charge only $1,500 for the engine, new timing belt, water pump and other things plus 8 to 10 hours of repair work.

He has some idea that a rebuilt engine is "Like New". If done correctly, then of course. I'll def pay $300 for the 100,000 warranty though. Then he said "I heard good things about the guys who are gonna rebuild the engine."

I tried to discuss JDM motors and trying out different shops who may be able to go that route and like usual, when he is ignorant about things (such as buying a remanufactured or used "japanese" engine and accuses me of desperation and "grasping at straws"), he get's very angry and defensive, which is a cover up for not being able to admit his ignorance.

He is difficult to work with. So, if he wants to help put up money to assist with my **** up, then I can't really argue with that.

Coming from a guy who was a machinist for 13 years in the navy and has rebuilt his own motorcycles from scratch plenty of times, he has never ONCE wanted to work on my car to reduce labor costs.

In short, he's more than capable of replacing an engine. Just wish he'd have the desire to to it and have me assist so maybe I can learn a little at the same time.

 

I got a JDM D15b delivered and then installed for a little over a grand by a shop. Been in the car about three years now. Believe it if you want to or not.