Engine gone

[jeepskate]

I was really hoping to get to 200,000 miles, but my 3.7 self-destructed at 196,252. This was a week ago Monday. Since I know everyone will be curious, here's the damage report from the paperwork I got back: "Cyl. #2 intake valve seat fell out of cyl. head and broke apart causing severe damage to piston cyl. walls and cyl. head, debris caught in intake manifold."

I had a new engine put in and just got the KJ back tonight but something went wrong and it's leaking oil so I have to take it back in tomorrow after I get out of jury duty. Didn't need any of this to happen. On the bright side, I escaped the latest umpteenth round of layoffs at work. So it's not all bad.

 

[belvedere]

Sorry to hear of your problems. Hope they get the new engine straightened out.

 

[ridenby]

Hate to hear about engine,glad your able to have it fixed,thanks for doing duty serving on jury.

 

[sleeve]

If you don't mind, what was the cost for repair / replacement?

Also - how does the valve seat fall apart? Is that caused by valve spring failure or something totally seperate?

 

[brown90]

my engline blew at 38000 and for a used motor and install it cost me 3000

 

[Powerslave]

That was their explanation? They should know that the valve SEAT can't fall into the cylinder, it's notched (surfaced) into the head. I think they meant the retainer (clip, or whatever it's called) on the top of the spring that holds the valve in place failed/broke, and the valve fell into the cylinder.

 

[jeepskate]

That was their explanation? They should know that the valve SEAT can't fall into the cylinder, it's notched (surfaced) into the head. I think they meant the retainer (clip, or whatever it's called) on the top of the spring that holds the valve in place failed/broke, and the valve fell into the cylinder.

Well, that's their story and they're sticking to it. I didn't see it torn open myself. But it's not unheard of.

 

[jeepskate]

If you don't mind, what was the cost for repair / replacement?

Also - how does the valve seat fall apart? Is that caused by valve spring failure or something totally seperate?

It cost a lot, but less than a new car. I'd rather not say exactly since it's over and done with and I don't need 800 well-meaning people telling me how they would have done it for thousands less. The bright side is the replacement engine has a 3 year, 100,000-mile warranty. I'm not sure exactly what triggered the failure.

 

[tjkj2002]

That was their explanation? They should know that the valve SEAT can't fall into the cylinder, it's notched (surfaced) into the head. I think they meant the retainer (clip, or whatever it's called) on the top of the spring that holds the valve in place failed/broke, and the valve fell into the cylinder.

Alloy heads have steel valve seats pressed into them since the aluminum just can not hold up to constant abuse the valves place on the seat area.It's not a uncommon issue in higher mileage alloy head engines to drop a valve seat.Just like alloy blocked engines have steel cylinder sleeves installed in them.

 

[sleeve]

I'd rather not say exactly

Fully understand your hesitation.

I'm really digging the warranty though.

 

[jnaut]

I had a new engine put in and just got the KJ back tonight but something went wrong and it's leaking oil so I have to take it back in tomorrow after I get out of jury duty. Didn't need any of this to happen. On the bright side, I escaped the latest umpteenth round of layoffs at work. So it's not all bad.

Congrats on getting 196k on your engine. Too bad when it went, it went big. Good to know what everyone's experiences are with the high mileage engines.

 

[jnaut]

It cost a lot, but less than a new car. I'd rather not say exactly since it's over and done with and I don't need 800 well-meaning people telling me how they would have done it for thousands less. The bright side is the replacement engine has a 3 year, 100,000-mile warranty. I'm not sure exactly what triggered the failure.

Totally understand that.

But just so you know, some of us are curious because we plan to keep our KJ's well into the 200k mile mark.. (in my case.. WELL into the 200k mile mark) and so we're always looking to other people's experiences so we know what we're facing when our engine grenades.

Glad you got it fixed and now I'm curious to see how far you'll get on the new engine.

 

[kb0nly]

Whatever you paid was worth it, you kept it on the road, and you got a 3yr 100k warranty on the new engine, thats mighty fine!!

Let us know about the oil leak, what it was, etc.

 

[offrovering]

Alloy heads have steel valve seats pressed into them since the aluminum just can not hold up to constant abuse the valves place on the seat area.It's not a uncommon issue in higher mileage alloy head engines to drop a valve seat.Just like alloy blocked engines have steel cylinder sleeves installed in them.

which is why so many rovers drop their sleeves wrongforu.gif

 

[jeepskate]

Oh, all right, I'll cave in. I paid $7,500. $5,200 or so for the engine and the rest in labor. It was a lot, but a used engine with a lousy warranty would've been only $2,000 less. I thought it was worth it for the warranty.

I was halfway tempted to put the $7,500 down on a new Rubi but I really, really like not having car payments. And with my job on the line seemingly every quarter it didn't seem smart to get locked into another loan.

As far as the oil leak goes, it looks like they damaged the rear main seal during the install. It's back at the shop getting redone.

 

[kskj]

Glad you kept your libby on the road and thats a great warranty. I will be putting a new motor in mine when the time comes.

 

[kb0nly]

$7500 to keep it on the road, or $7500 down payment and car payments every month to replace it... Hmmm.....

Yep, i would have paid for the motor too. Because you have a NEW motor. Sure other parts of it are still older, but with a 100k warranty you don't have to worry about the motor anymore. Paid for piece of mind there.

 

[kb0nly]

What year is your KJ by the way???

 

[jnaut]

Oh, all right, I'll cave in. I paid $7,500. $5,200 or so for the engine and the rest in labor. It was a lot, but a used engine with a lousy warranty would've been only $2,000 less. I thought it was worth it for the warranty.

I was halfway tempted to put the $7,500 down on a new Rubi but I really, really like not having car payments. And with my job on the line seemingly every quarter it didn't seem smart to get locked into another loan.

As far as the oil leak goes, it looks like they damaged the rear main seal during the install. It's back at the shop getting redone.

Yeah it's a little steep but you're saying you got a brand spanking new engine, right? Not a rebuild or a used? I'd say it wasn't overly high. Just kind of high. But then add in the warranty and everything, and like you say, now you're not locked into 5 years of payments... which is worth a lot. Tell us when your KJ hits 400k.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Oh, all right, I'll cave in. I paid $7,500. $5,200 or so for the engine and the rest in labor. It was a lot, but a used engine with a lousy warranty would've been only $2,000 less. I thought it was worth it for the warranty.

I was halfway tempted to put the $7,500 down on a new Rubi but I really, really like not having car payments. And with my job on the line seemingly every quarter it didn't seem smart to get locked into another loan.

As far as the oil leak goes, it looks like they damaged the rear main seal during the install. It's back at the shop getting redone.

That seems to be the going rate to have a professional outfit install a rebuilt engine.
And it's more economical than buying a new vehicle!
When it's time for our KJ to have a new engine fitted...
I'll shoe horn in a 4.7 litre V8!