Another car question

[Electric Amish]

I'm in need of a second car. Don't have a whole lot of money.

My sister has an old '84 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi. It's been sitting at my parents for 3-4 years, ever since something went wrong with the engine and they didn't want to get it fixed.

It has a completely rebuilt front suspension and clutch. It seems like a waste to me to let it sit.

So, I look into fixing it 'cuz I can usually tell which end of a screwdriver to use.

It seems that the engine is siezed for whatever reason.

So, the question is, do I do a complete rebuild of the engine or do I try and find a rebuilt engine??

Anyone have a clue how much a rebuilt engine would be?

What type of internal damage am I looking at with a siezed engine in general?

TIA

amish

 

[Quixfire]

If you want to save money, just get a low mileage used engine and have a mechanic you trust install it for you.

 

[Electric Amish]

^

 

[PsychoAndy]

PM yakko. He is a former VW mechanic.

-PAB

 

[Vette73]

You would do better getting something else. If the motor has seized AND it has been sitting that long, all I can say is money trap.

You can get a good GM car early 90's from around 2K. If it has a 3.8L even better.

 

[Soybomb]

Calling yakko or jonyguru

 

[Scarpozzi]

Yeah....get a GM.... LOL! I would try to get a Early-Mid 90s straight shift Japanese Sedan. Get one with 120-130k miles and change the timing belt as soon as you get it (or timing chain if it's a nissan). Then you'll be set until it hits 250k as long as you don't need a new clutch.....then only 200k.

 

[Brutuskend]

I'm a EX VW Mech. as well.

Could be the pistons are seized, could be the bearings (Main or rod) are seized.

First step would be to check (Drain) the oil, and look for bearing material. (Main or Rod bearing material will give the oil a copperish/silverish color and it will be NON magnetic). Then stick a Magnet in the oil, and see what sticks. If you get any metal that DOES stick, it can be from the crank or rods it's self, or rings.

If nothing sticks, you could probably do a rebuild. If something DOES stick, your better off buying a rebuilt or used engine.

The good news is that they have been using that same straight four block for a LONG LONG time. So there are LOT'S of them out there!!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Yeah....get a GM.... LOL! I would try to get a Early-Mid 90s straight shift Japanese Sedan. Get one with 120-130k miles and change the timing belt as soon as you get it (or timing chain if it's a nissan). Then you'll be set until it hits 250k as long as you don't need a new clutch.....then only 200k.

Marlin is a mechanic. What experience do you have with motors that you can judge, or are you just regurgitating what you heard from a 17 year old with a gold chain and sideways hat at the local 7-11?

 

[Electric Amish]

Sonofa......

Rebuilt motor= $1299

w/ install= $2164


Stupid foreign cars!

amish

 

[iamwiz82]

you should be able to find an engine in a junk yard for cheaper.

 

[Brutuskend]

A useful link

Or here

 

[BooneRebel]

You can buy a running car for less. Have you looked at autotrader.com? There are a dozen or so under $1000, including one for $300 (needs body work). If you can get a complete car for that much you could combine the two and get a runner for little $ and use the second for parts.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If you just want a cheap little beater find a 2.2l/2.5l chrysler product from the late 80s to early 90s. You can find something like a real nice late 80s dodge omni for $400-$800 and a lot of times it will even have working a/c . They are pretty reliable. Little crap may break every now and again but mechanically they are pretty solid and when something does break parts are so cheap they are practically free. They are also very easy to work on. I would try to get a 5 speed version just because it will be a lot more spunky unless of coarse you get a turbo version . I just bought a 89 caravan turbo for $800 with 135k miles on it and love it. I did have to put about $200 worth of crap into mostly tune up stuff and an $80 brand new radiator but it runs great now. Plus with what I have done to the engine its pretty damn quik too hehe.

 

YHPM