Blown Engine Now What ?

Driving around the other day, and my Check Engine light came on an started flashing. I pulled over and popped the hood. The engine was running rough, and sounded really strange, so I ran the van to my mechaninc. Also told him that it was going up and down on the temp needle. He told me it sounded like a thermostat and then called an hour or so later to tell me that the van was screwed and the engine cylinders, were full of water. It's a 1997 GL, with 189000 on the clock. I really need this van and just paid it off a few months back. I really don't want to get back into car payments. Is it worth looking for a motor to put in it ? They told me that it would cost too much to fix and just to get rid of it. I guess they figure 1000/1500 for a motor and than another 1000 to install it and it's just not worth it. I just did breaks all around and a new alternator a month ago. Also, just spent 350 putting new tags on it since I moved here from another state. I know I can transfer those to a "new" car. Any words of advise, are more than welcome. Thanx very much.

Thom.

Driving around the other day, and my Check Engine light came on an started flashing. I pulled over and popped the hood. The engine was running rough, and sounded really strange, so I ran the van to my mechaninc. Also told him that it was going up and down on the temp needle. He told me it sounded like a thermostat and then called an hour or so later to tell me that the van was screwed and the engine cylinders, were full of water. It's a 1997 GL, with 189000 on the clock. I really need this van and just paid it off a few months back. I really don't want to get back into car payments. Is it worth looking for a motor to put in it ? They told me that it would cost too much to fix and just to get rid of it. I guess they figure 1000/1500 for a motor and than another 1000 to install it and it's just not worth it. I just did breaks all around and a new alternator a month ago. Also, just spent 350 putting new tags on it since I moved here from another state. I know I can transfer those to a "new" car. Any words of advise, are more than welcome. Thanx very much.

Thom.

Why did the mechanic say the engine was junk? I put headgaskets in a 3.9 at 177,000 miles. the engine was in good shape. The gaskets were shot. It cost me about 500.00 to 600.00 to put headgaskets in my 95 3.8. That included the machine shop testing the valves making shure they seal, and machining the gasket surface making sure it is smooth and flat.

Replacing headgaskets isn't really that hard. If you have a digital camera take a picture of everything before you take it off. Get a book either buy one or check one out of the liberary.

Buy your gaskets from Ford. I got FelPro and they look just like the ones that failed (second set for this motor). Ford (in my opion) has better gaskets. Others may have a different opion. You also need head bolts. They are designed to streach and therefore are one time usage.

You will need a torque wrench.

I would replace the headgaskets. You can get a headgaskets set that includes every gasket you need.

While you have the engine apart, send the fuel injectors out to get cleaned. You'll be surprised how much better an engine will run with good gaskets and clean fuel injectors.

My gaskets failed on cylinders 3 and 4. Both had antifreeze in them.

I also replace the rod bearings. They were making noise on start up.



Regards

Dan

I am actually more surprised that a garage wasn't pushing to have you replace/repair the motor since they could potentially have the business. (They didn't offer to buy it from you did they?)

Lasabre97 makes some very good points. Ask them what is actually wrong with the motor. Maybe it is just head gaskets.

Driving around the other day, and my Check Engine light came on an started flashing. I pulled over and popped the hood. The engine was running rough, and sounded really strange, so I ran the van to my mechaninc. Also told him that it was going up and down on the temp needle. He told me it sounded like a thermostat and then called an hour or so later to tell me that the van was screwed and the engine cylinders, were full of water. It's a 1997 GL, with 189000 on the clock. I really need this van and just paid it off a few months back. I really don't want to get back into car payments. Is it worth looking for a motor to put in it ? They told me that it would cost too much to fix and just to get rid of it. I guess they figure 1000/1500 for a motor and than another 1000 to install it and it's just not worth it. I just did breaks all around and a new alternator a month ago. Also, just spent 350 putting new tags on it since I moved here from another state. I know I can transfer those to a "new" car. Any words of advise, are more than welcome. Thanx very much.

Thom.

Buy a gm, My wagon has 270k and still does a brake stand. But seriously i would get a torque wrench and go for it. If you dont fix it then get another car.

On the other hand..... With 189k miles, you've probably well exceeded the mileage that Ford designed this van for.... Mine has about 105k ('99) and I consider it to be on life support - I don't think I am going to fix anything major if it goes, since I have already put about $5,000 into this car in the last 3 or 4 years (excluding wear items). I understand the car payment thing, but if you spent $1000 on the car, that's probably what it's worth.

Good luck, whatever you decide....

Dan D
Central NJ USA

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The heads are most likely cracked per the mechanic. They did not pull them, but told me they would hate to pull them to replace the gaskets and then find out they are cracked. And if new heads were put on, it would blow oil past the rings with that many miles on the motor. Short story, the engine needs to be rebuilt. And with almost 190k on the van, parts and labor just wouldn't be worth it. If anyone can use it and is near the Kansas City area, make me an offer. 1997 GL red with tan interior. Very nice condition. No rust or major dents. Normal dings here and there. Thanx everyone.

Sounds like you have made up your mind............How many Ks on the tranny? If the van is otherwise good and the tranny isn't ready to go a new block (or a rebuild) would make that 190K at lot less significant. Could be good for another 100K or more. Do they use a lot of salt on the roads in KC?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The heads are most likely cracked per the mechanic. They did not pull them, but told me they would hate to pull them to replace the gaskets and then find out they are cracked. And if new heads were put on, it would blow oil past the rings with that many miles on the motor. Short story, the engine needs to be rebuilt. And with almost 190k on the van, parts and labor just wouldn't be worth it. If anyone can use it and is near the Kansas City area, make me an offer. 1997 GL red with tan interior. Very nice condition. No rust or major dents. Normal dings here and there. Thanx everyone.

Like I said, I replaced the head gaskets at 177,000 miles. The cylinders looked perfect! Pull the heads yourself and take them to an auto machinest to get them checked out. My van isn't burning oil, not pumping it, it's running great! Did you over heat it?

I can't afford taking my vehicals to a shop, therefore I do it my self. What I'm trying to get across here is: Fix the van yourself, if you don't want another car payment...

It's not really that hard.

Dan

The tranny has the same mileage, it's all factory.

I wonder if you could get a second oppinion?
I doublt that ALL the cylinders were full of water.
Also...full of water would be a MAJOR problem when you cranked the engine....as water does not compress.
Perhaps you could have a compression test done on each cylinder. You could get lucky and have a blown intake manifold gasket instead of a head gasket. The intake manifold gasket is a higher failure item on the post '95 engines. The head gaskets still can fail on the newer ones...but there have been a few cases of head gasket repairs that turned out to only need the intake manifold gasket. This would still permit water to get into the cylinders.