If its not rusty its definitely worth the swap.
Replacing an engine options.
- Thread starter MRtv
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I agree, perfect opportunity to learn something. It's very common on BMW M cars to change rod bearings. It's all over your head until you do the 1st one.
I'd be looking around at the JDM engine transmission outfits for the supposed 50k mile or so used engines.
Until something isn't done correctly. But then what else is on its last leg other than a possible bearing noise, that could be something else?
An engine with small bits circulating through it must be flushed thoroughly meaning complete disassembly and even then doubt will remain. My recent experience caused a replacement with a one year wty.
Depends- I've seen known good engines sit on the shelves for years because of no demand. Is this engine known for issues or not THAT is the Y in the road. I would rather have a good oem runner than almost any rebuild.
Thanks for the replies so far. Replacing the bearings myself is a no go. I looked at the youtube videos and IT IS NOT easy to get to the bearings on this engine. I'd also worry about the fine particles all over in the engine.
I will not be doing the engine swap myself. I'd take it to a shop to do the job. I have one in mind and that shop has given me a price for
Used. Perhaps a company that offers pulled engines from other NV 2500 vans. Some offer a 3 mo. warranty.
Jasper which rebuilds but as of this week I am told they don't have this engine available. Warranty available but does me no good if they can't produce an engine to buy.
New but Nissan offers no warranty. I buy it's mine.
So I need to decide what I want to spend and the risk I want to accept.
I will not be doing the engine swap myself. I'd take it to a shop to do the job. I have one in mind and that shop has given me a price for
Used. Perhaps a company that offers pulled engines from other NV 2500 vans. Some offer a 3 mo. warranty.
Jasper which rebuilds but as of this week I am told they don't have this engine available. Warranty available but does me no good if they can't produce an engine to buy.
New but Nissan offers no warranty. I buy it's mine.
So I need to decide what I want to spend and the risk I want to accept.
Me too. DIY rebuild is high risk and long timeline; get with the Nissan enthusiasts and see what else might be a available as a drop in
The JDM 50K engine is a myth. They don't scrap cars after 50K in Japan. There is no such law, its perpetuated by the internet.
Even if it was, the VQ40 was never sold in Japan to my knowledge. The engine is made at the Nissan engine plant in TN.
JDM ? I have done that in 2 cars over 10 years ago, they are both still going strong. A myth? Then many many outfits are pushing a lot of false advertising. JDM Engine and transmission places were around long before the internet was a thing, advertising was done in a few little free ad's papers at the news stands back in the day of no internet.
I am sure you can get a good used engine out of a Japanese junkyard just like you can here.
The myth they perpetuate is that in Japan they scrap more cars at 50K because emissions are stricter. That might have been true in the 80's, but California emissions are stricter than Japan's, and have been for a while.
If you believe your JDM engine had only 50K on it, that would have to do with the seller only choosing engines from low mileage wrecks, not some intrinsic value of getting it from Japan, just like you can buy a low mileage engine from a wreck here if you look in the right place.
Original poster here. I went out today and asked for some quotes. They will be sending them to me. Two shops deal with used engines. Another will price out a new or rebuilt directly from Nissan. A third shop that does not do swaps suggested just finding a used engine.
Edit. First quote came in at $7601.62 for used engine and installation. Warranty 1 year 12k miles parts. Nice shop and nice owner. He does Jasper but I told him Jasper doesn't have engine so he priced a used one for me.
Second Quote was for Nissan provided engine. $12,850 for engine and labor. No other information provided for this engine.
Waiting for another quote and may go out and get another one for good measure.
Edit. First quote came in at $7601.62 for used engine and installation. Warranty 1 year 12k miles parts. Nice shop and nice owner. He does Jasper but I told him Jasper doesn't have engine so he priced a used one for me.
Second Quote was for Nissan provided engine. $12,850 for engine and labor. No other information provided for this engine.
Waiting for another quote and may go out and get another one for good measure.
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Must be some sort of rare engine? Now I'd like to see the engine only cost with no install, (just searched, and wow crazy, close to 4k on some of them). You need some friends that know how to DIY it.
And yeah if I was installing Jasper engines I'd charge at least double the normal for an engine change, just in case I had to do it again.
To warranty the used engine you would have to pad the bill, because if there is a problem the next time it is all on the shop owner, free to you, well yeah sorta.
Can you get just a short block from Nissan?
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Buying used from a junkyard or online via eBay is the most cost effective option but with the highest risk. You might be able to get eBay to back you up if the engine fails prematurely or doesn’t even work (id look into this more).
Ive heard some horror stories about jasper rebuilds. A search on this forum will reveal some experiences.
Ive heard some horror stories about jasper rebuilds. A search on this forum will reveal some experiences.
Two of my vehicles have junkyard engines. My truck has a "supposed" 110K mile engine that ended up being >200K miles. It always ran good but ended up developing a head gasket oil leak. When I pulled it apart to do the head gasket - the engine was full of sludge and all the cylinder walls looked crappy.
However, the engine I put in my Grand Marquis was in great shape!
Both were $500
The engine that I put in my Grand Marquis sat for years before I bought it. 4.6s tend to run a long time so very rarely does someone need to replace one.
However, the engine I put in my Grand Marquis was in great shape!
Both were $500
The engine that I put in my Grand Marquis sat for years before I bought it. 4.6s tend to run a long time so very rarely does someone need to replace one.
I think the crankshaft is likely to need machining.
Depending upon if you can do the work yourself, you might do a backyard rebuild. Bearings, rings and look at the head for burned valves. If you can get away with just rings and not boring & new pistons you should be able to do a backyard rebuild on the cheap. Even if you have to do get the crankshaft ground.
Your car is 10 years old and has 200K miles. Lots of things are worn. Careful on how much you spend on the engine.
I would go o for a used engine or a backyard rebuild.
Your car is 10 years old and has 200K miles. Lots of things are worn. Careful on how much you spend on the engine.
I would go o for a used engine or a backyard rebuild.
Here's a first hand review of Jasper Engines:
I found out the hard way that Jasper struggles to reliably rebuild something as common as a GM 5.3 engine.
Went through 3 of them (under warranty) in less than one year. All work was performed by an authorized Jasper installer.
If they can't rebuild a GM 5.3, I sure wouldn't want them anywhere near rebuilding a Nissan engine. Spend your money elsewhere.
I found out the hard way that Jasper struggles to reliably rebuild something as common as a GM 5.3 engine.
Went through 3 of them (under warranty) in less than one year. All work was performed by an authorized Jasper installer.
If they can't rebuild a GM 5.3, I sure wouldn't want them anywhere near rebuilding a Nissan engine. Spend your money elsewhere.
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