OK, that's an interesting I could have done without

[sraun]

iraunink just called. The car started making a noise that concerned her when she was off to the youngest grand-daughter's birthday party on Saturday. She took it in for the mechanic to look at it this morning.

The engine is dead.

A new car was not in the budget for at least a couple of years. IIRC, this one isn't actually paid off until December 2011.

I have no idea how we're going to deal with this.

Comments

[carbonel]

A replacement engine may not be the appropriate choice in this case, but it is less expensive than buying a new car. (I still remember how surprised I was when I discovered that sometimes that was the reasonable choice. I had thought engines and cars were pretty much interchangeable.)

[sraun]

As iraunink put it, "I can get a loan for a new car. I can't get a loan for a new engine."

[carbonel]

Nice line, but I'm not actually sure it's true. Several years ago, I got a loan on my used car, using it as collateral. Granted, the loan wasn't to repair my car, but they didn't actually ask me what I wanted the money for.

[carbonel]

Also, if a $2500 loan would solve your problem, we could talk. I'd consider you a good risk.

[ndrosen.livejournal.com]

I'm also willing to help out, if need be.

[filkferengi]

Keep us in the loop if any such thing gets organized. Goodness knows, Scott does enough for us.

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

This is awful news, and I hope things work out as you continue to deal with it. I have been told (and agree), though, that the only thing that is more of a hassle than having a car, is *not* having a car. There have been times that I could get by with riding a bus to work, and times that I couldn't. Hang in there.

N.

[adina-atl.livejournal.com]

Dead how? A dead engine is about like a dead laptop--it can mean anything, from "reformat the hard drive and install a new OS" to "the motherboard caught fire." Throwing a rod through the engine block--happened to me once--is in the latter category, requiring an engine replacement. Needing a new headgasket because the engine is filled with black mayonnaise--happened regularly with my mother's car when I was a kid--is in the former, requiring a day's work with a Chilton's manual and finding a machinist to mill the head down.

You can buy a rebuilt engine for about $1000 or one from a junkyard for less than that. Installation I don't know, though I was quoted $2000 within the last couple of years for a rebuilt engine for a pickup truck, with warranty and installation. Depending on the age and condition of the rest of the car, this might be where the smart money is.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I was a little confused by the "dead" terminology also. To me, "engine is dead" means that the car will not start and never will start again until the engine is rebuilt or replaced.

It sounds like in this case it means, "Engine has a terminal illness." I've driven cars for months or years that were in that condition. It's a little nerve-wracking, but usually not actively dangerous.

It's certainly bad news in any case. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic.

[sraun]

Something broke inside the engine, started grinding, and there are now metal shavings in the oil.

Yes, this is a pull the engine and replace it scenario. My wife was quoted ~$2500 to put a reconditioned engine in. We don't have that in cash reserves - as she put it, "I can get a loan for a new car. I can't get a loan for a new engine."

[davidwilford.livejournal.com]

I'm a little surprised that the engine is deemed to be toast by the mechanic given the car was driven there, but I'm no expert myself.

[archangelbeth]

Depending on what killed the engine, I would consider talking to the dealership and researching lemon laws in your state...

[galacticvoyeur.livejournal.com]

If the car is still slightly drivable I'd get a second opinion before abandoning it.

I've had engines replaced twice, in 2 different vehicles. The first one worked out very well, the second one blew the head gasket after 2 years. Still, if done by a reliable mechanic, an engine replacement can be much more cost-effective than buying a whole other car, if the car in question still has good tires, brakes, etc.

Good luck!

Questions

[lightning58.livejournal.com]

How many miles on the car?

What make?

If it was the timing belt letting go it was a case of going directly to the garage.

Re: Questions

[sraun]

~140k miles, 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix

My experience with timing belt failures is that the engine just will run at all.

In this case, something broke inside the engine, started grinding, and there are now metal shavings in the oil.