MK7 3.2 SAFAB engine stuck solid

[v8dave]

Wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper to just plonk another lump in it..??

Lord Knobrot

The transit 3.2 is a rare beast.

Finding a good good one is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

[knobby1]

Wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper to just plonk another lump in it..??

Lord Knobrot

The transit 3.2 is a rare beast.

Finding a good good one is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

True...rare as rocking horse shite.

Lord Knobrot

[andz327]

What a fookin mess....
Rebore with Mahle pistons would be my option...... i think i maybe able to get hold of block and crank if needed but don't expect it to be cheap but will enquire just incase

Sent from my SM-G990B using Tapatalk

[Rattanee]

Well, I was going to go for a rebuild so it will be as reliable as it has been until this mess, but the machine shop did a pressure test on the block last week, and the f*cker cracked the center bore lengthwise, coolant leaks into the bore... they said if I really want to try, they can weld it up, bore it larger and sleeve it, but they couldn't guarantee how long that would last in the long run, so they'd advise against it. I tend to agree... so...

My options are, 2900 quid for a refurbed bare engine (not even oil pump on it, so it would bring in quite a bit of extra expense to have it built to completion, plus it's been rebuilt by a company I've never heard of, my guys at least I know do good work), 3000 quid for an engine from breakers with 2 weeks warranty on the engine itself, but it is complete and has all ancillary parts aside from the starter and one injector that they already sold separate, or roll the thing down a hill and get a completely different van... with the latter being tempting, as I could import a lower milage similar year of make for about 6200 quid or so... but in both latter cases I have an engine in unknown condition... not sure what to do at this point...

I'm leaning towards the engine from the breakers, as then I'd have 9 injectors on me, 5 of those outta be salvagable or rebuildable, a much cheaper alternative then spending on a full set of new injectors. Though it seems to have come from a car without AC, so I can only hope it has the holes to mount the AC parts.

[Rattanee]

So... my wallet hates me right now...

For lack of a better alternative, went with the engine from the breakers. Looks to be in good shape, timing kit and clutch on it seem to have been changed not long before it was decomissioned, as clutch is virtually new, and timing tensioner is barely out. So the good news is, the engine seems to have come from someone who took care of it. Hopefully it should be running this week.

But why's my wallet really hate me? I took all 5 of my injectors, the four injectors from the replacement engine (one had been already sold off whenI bought it), and my original high pressure pump to be tested. Well... turns out it was the high pressure pump that probably caused my problems, as it is toast. My original 5 injectors: 1 tested good, 2 had too high throughput, 2 had usable throughput but high leakage. The four from the new engine? All had low throughput (probably some clogging from standing on a shelf for a few years). So I asked... I have 1 good, how much to refurb four? Turns out, at this point, a professional refurb costs more than the price of a brand new Denso injector... that goes doubly for the high pressure pump... So... five new injectors, a new high pressure pump, new timing cover with seals, and whilst there, put on a new flywheel and clutch (keeping the one from the replacement engine as spare).

In about 4500 quid at this point, not counting the injector testing, the work done on the old engine, and shop costs... but hey, in the end, at least I'll have a reliable engine for the foreseeable future.

On the upside, virtually everything from the old engine is good aside from the block and the pistons themselves, so I suppose I can recoup a tiny bit of the costs in the long run.

[knobby1]

So... my wallet hates me right now...

For lack of a better alternative, went with the engine from the breakers. Looks to be in good shape, timing kit and clutch on it seem to have been changed not long before it was decomissioned, as clutch is virtually new, and timing tensioner is barely out. So the good news is, the engine seems to have come from someone who took care of it. Hopefully it should be running this week.

But why's my wallet really hate me? I took all 5 of my injectors, the four injectors from the replacement engine (one had been already sold off whenI bought it), and my original high pressure pump to be tested. Well... turns out it was the high pressure pump that probably caused my problems, as it is toast. My original 5 injectors: 1 tested good, 2 had too high throughput, 2 had usable throughput but high leakage. The four from the new engine? All had low throughput (probably some clogging from standing on a shelf for a few years). So I asked... I have 1 good, how much to refurb four? Turns out, at this point, a professional refurb costs more than the price of a brand new Denso injector... that goes doubly for the high pressure pump... So... five new injectors, a new high pressure pump, new timing cover with seals, and whilst there, put on a new flywheel and clutch (keeping the one from the replacement engine as spare).

In about 4500 quid at this point, not counting the injector testing, the work done on the old engine, and shop costs... but hey, in the end, at least I'll have a reliable engine for the foreseeable future.

On the upside, virtually everything from the old engine is good aside from the block and the pistons themselves, so I suppose I can recoup a tiny bit of the costs in the long run.

Strange the high pressure pump has failed....they're the same pump as the 2.4 and they never fail.

Lord Knobrot

[Rattanee]

Strange the high pressure pump has failed....they're the same pump as the 2.4 and they never fail.

Lord Knobrot

Well, I think it was a cooperation between the two injectors injecting too much, and the pump delivering a slightly lower pressure then ideal. I had the HP pump taken apart, and was quoted about 700 quid for repair, as basically everything but the housing was worn out in it. Turns out I could buy a new Denso one for almost half that price.
Garage started the engine for the first time today, they said it sounded good, we're just waiting for a new radiator hose as the bottom one doesn't look healthy, and while in there, might as well replace that too. Once the front end is done, off it goes for a fresh MOT.