What do you think? NEW ENGINE

Olered

Olered

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
124
0
Atlanta, Georgia
So I take my 97 Disco in to the lr stealership for an oil change (I cannot perform at my place due to regulations where I live plus it's easier/conv) and I have the gurgling behind the dash. I guessed that I had a bad heater core, low on coolant, or clogged drained. I asked the dealer to diagnose the problem for me. They call me back today and tell me that I need new heads and that my truck was "gushing" oil and coolant everywhere. I'm confused because I drove it on a pretty good trip 2 weeks ago, drove it a bunch around town on the weekends, and DROVE it to the dealership. The truck idled perfectly and drove flawlessly. No smoke or anything. It has a new water pump, thermostat, and all new hoses. I changed the plugs about 3 months ago. I constantly check the fluids to ensure that it's up to snuff. It had the normal oil seapage for a lr but never has once left a drip on the pavement. It is seaping around the valve covers but not leaking. The only thing that is really fried is the muffler which WAS getting fixed next weekend. The dealership wants $3500 to fix=new heads. So a truck with no apparent issues except for the new gurgling needs new heads? I figured for $3500 I could probably find a transplant with less miles (mine has 108k miles) or even a 4.6 donor. I was prepared for a heater core as it's worth my money to have someone replace this PITA part. I'm not prepared to throw $3500 at it. Is paid for and is a "fun" truck. Any ideas?

Thanks,
J:banghead:
 
HunterAK

HunterAK

Well-known member
May 19, 2005
1,721
0
Anchorage Alaska
Source a set of heads online and have em rebuilt by a machine shop... Get parts through www.aluminumv8.com Call and ask for Mark.

Otherwise, you can probably find a used 4.0 or 4.6 for $2200 or less and have it rebuilt with brand new parts for another 2,000 and that includes labor. So... you have some much better options... But whatever you do, don't buy an engine from Tom Hoagland.

F-the dealer...
 
D

DeMak

Guest
If I fixed everything the dealer wanted me too, I'd be giving him a check for 150% of what I paid for my 95 Disco. On the other hand, MAYBE dealer repair prices are why I got mine so cheap! I plan on repairing the safety items first, then the maintinence stuff. If the fancy stuff don't work so what?

DeMak
 
Chris-St Louis

Chris-St Louis

1
Oct 27, 2004
3,000
4
New heads?

There is no way to confirm the heads are warped without exploitory surgery.

And, I have seen many warped heads, I have never seen a cracked one.

I would be suspecious of this dealer. You may have a head GASKET that failed.... But the story they are saying just doesn't make sense.

A second opinion is very needed, I think they are not accurate in their diagnosis.
 
B

barefoot

Guest
just check your fluids! if there is a prob with the heads or gaskets (most likely) there will be oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil. "spewing oil and coolant everywhere" wow! that would be something you could see or even smell yourself...huh! how long has the gurgling been going on?

at least....dont tell the other mechanic what the dealer told you! if you do...an unhonest man could give you the same diagnosis, quote you a few hundred cheaper repair and really break his dick off in your ass! is that what you want? do you like that sort of thing? i am going too assume that you dont!

curious....what kind of regulations make it to where you cant change your own oil?
can you scratch your ass in the driveway while getting the morning paper? can you fart on your porch? adjust your testicles when you get off the motorcycle? wtf???
 
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S

sharp21

Guest
barefoot said:
curious....what kind of regulations make it to where you cant change your own oil?
can you scratch your ass in the driveway while getting the morning paper? can you fart on your porch? adjust your testicles when you get off the motorcycle? wtf???
Click to expand...
:rofl:
 
Olered

Olered

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
124
0
Atlanta, Georgia
I'm going to run it by a local shop for a second opinion. Of course I'm not going to tell them what the dealer said. The gurgling was noticed at the beginning of last week. I checked the oil and it was good. The coolant appeared to be topped off when I checked.
As for changing the oil, our association gets their panties in a wad because we are not supposed to perform any type of auto repair in the parking lot (I live in a townhouse). Its a political thing as I need them in my back pocket because of some bad neighbors. I can't file a violation complaint on them when I'm violating rules.
 
Dan Erickson

Dan Erickson

Well-known member
May 27, 2005
1,268
0
56
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hunter and I bought our engines from Hogland around the same time.

Both were 4.6 and supposedly from a totaled 02 RR.

When I picked mine up, I noticed the front cover was smashed on mine, but was not that big a deal as I had my original from my 4.0. If I would have known how much the front cover was worth, I would have tried to negotiate a lower price.

Rather than trust this new motor, I tore it down to the bare block for a full inspection, cleaning etc. I did find some bent valves.

I did a full rebuild and all seems well with it.

Not sure if I'm remembering the info from Hunter's PMs quite accurately, but:

I think Hunter made some kind of deal with hogland to rebuild his before shipping it out.

I think Hogland screwed up the rebuild and made some promises that he did not keep.

Hunter got screwed.

He will have better info on this, as I am just going from memory.

Peace,

Dan
 
HunterAK

HunterAK

Well-known member
May 19, 2005
1,721
0
Anchorage Alaska
Dan Erickson said:
Hunter and I bought our engines from Hogland around the same time.

Both were 4.6 and supposedly from a totaled 02 RR.

When I picked mine up, I noticed the front cover was smashed on mine, but was not that big a deal as I had my original from my 4.0. If I would have known how much the front cover was worth, I would have tried to negotiate a lower price.

Rather than trust this new motor, I tore it down to the bare block for a full inspection, cleaning etc. I did find some bent valves.

I did a full rebuild and all seems well with it.

Not sure if I'm remembering the info from Hunter's PMs quite accurately, but:

I think Hunter made some kind of deal with hogland to rebuild his before shipping it out.

I think Hogland screwed up the rebuild and made some promises that he did not keep.

Hunter got screwed.

He will have better info on this, as I am just going from memory.

Peace,

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan:

You pretty much nailed it. Tom told me he would "rebuild" the motor before shipping it to me. I paid him for the engine, labor, and parts. He gave me a 6-month warranty on parts and labor. After the engine wouldn't start and after trying to trouble shoot issues for a week or so, I pulled the motor back out and broke it down.

I found one bent valve and all the pistons were sand blasted!! Not to mention the top compression rings on 5 out of the 8 pistons were jammed in there so tight they either wouldn't move or you needed pliers to pull them out. The seats were not cut on the heads, just faced and lapped... The cam shaft wouldn't turn by hand and was probably bent. He also said he'd send me the front cover for free and when it never came, he said it "was probably lost in the mail".

I've been asking him for an invoice from the machine shop since May where "work" was allegedly performed and he still hasn't sent me one. It cost me more $$$ to rebuild it myself than what I initially paid him. After the second rebuild, the engine started on the first turn of the key. Tom denies everything and basically refuses to refund me any money at all.

I wish I would have inspected the motor like you did. Buyers beware... ALWAYS have machine work done on a rebuilt motor at a local shop and under your watch...

-Hunter
 
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Olered

Olered

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
124
0
Atlanta, Georgia
Update:

Second Opinion:

Low on coolant and cracked PCV valve. Getting coolant flush and valve fixed. Positive battery cable was going bad as well (though seperate issue). Getting all fixed for less than $100.
 
Olered

Olered

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
124
0
Atlanta, Georgia
Yes. I'm pretty much done with that particular dealer. I'm also going to drive it over and give them a piece of my mind. I'll either perform 2am oil changes or give the little shops my business.
 
jhmover

jhmover

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
5,571
3
California
They must be related to one of the MBZ dealers out here. My wife takes the car in, they tell her it needs $2-$3k of work, I tell her forget the dealer, take the car to a friend of mine who's a mechanic, guess what? Car doesn't need $2-$k of work, more like $200-$300 worth of work. I assume everyone who walks into their service department must look like they have a tootsie pop wrapper on their head.
 
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