Hi Gang:

Need some info/advice- anyone have an engine replacement done by NECO ENGINE
CENTERS? Good/bad results?


My 98 SSE -Engine lost all anti-freeze in overflow tank yesterday-
Went to start the car this morning and it will not turn over- just a slight
attempt to crank and then nothing.(95,500 miles on odometer)

I had the upper and lower manifold gaskets replaced back in Feb of 2004 with 85,000 miles on the car- one year later-and 10,000 miles more- shot? and also the engine?- Hugh amounts of White Smoke coming out of both rear exhaust pipes.

Anyway- having everything checked out this Monday-
If the engine is shot- rather than have it re-built etc I'm considering having a replacement engine put in -

Depending on the outcome Monday-

Options- have existing engine fixed- (if possible)
or- have replacement engine put in
or buy another used or new car- preferrence maybe a used SSEI as they do not have the failed manifold problem.

Thanks for any help.

Chuck

i would try to rebuild the engine and see what damage u have first and see if its rebuildable

umm... that sounds like your upper failed.

Do you still have the car? Pull a plug, and see what comes out. If coolant comes out, drain your oil immediately, and pull all the plugs and dry out the cylinders [leave the plugs out for a few days].


-justin

You've got to be careful about that justin, you don't want to just let them "dry out" you could rust the cylinder walls then you're screwed and you need a re-bore or at least a hone job. To do it correctly spray penetrating lube in there after the coolant has drained out. It'* easy to get all the coolant out just remove all 6 plugs and spin the motor over a few times. Then hit eash cylinder with lube and let it sit if that'* what you want. You have to make sure though that in trying to crank it with cylinders full of water that you didn't bend any valves.

definetely sounds like your upper failed to me...ive been there, done that, wish there was a t-shirt....did they replace the upper intake manifold itself? or just the gaskets? im betting it failed though...thats by far the most common problem in the series 2.

Ok- got the car back today- 98 SSE
History- in Feb 04- replaced upper and lower gaskets- Not the EGR.
Cost was $495.00

Last week- lost all fluid in recovery tank- car blowing out white smoke from exhaust, then would not start.

Problem-Leaking Upper Intake Manifold.
Had done- Manifold- Upper cost- $138.00
Gasket set- Upper- $37.00
Gasket set Lower- $57.30
Oil/& Filter change $24.00
Anti-freeze $18.00
6 New platinum Spark Plugs- $90.00
Total parts $364.30
Labor- $300.- ( 4 Hours)
Tax $ 39.86

* Total Bill $704.16 *
Car appears to be ok. When oil was changed- it was normal- Not milky!

Based on what happened over the past year plus, I guess I should have had everything done the first time around instead of only replacing the gaskets- probably would have saved me in the long run.- Yes? No?


Given the alternatives- I got a price from NECO of around $2,500.00 for a USED
Replacement and $3,500.00 for a New Rebuitl Replacement- plus the price of a decent used SSEI Etc-
I'll go with what I got right now-

Thanks for your responses to my initial question on NECO Etc.

iF you don't want spend that much you could always do you self if you mechinicly inclined.. I replace the gaskets on my 92 it took a while 6 hrs. I don't how much harder 98 would be

You're better off letting the coolant burn off.....At least it won't rust the living hell out of the cylinders in 20 min.

Disregard.