I am new to these quad 4 engines. they really seem to be very labor intensive on repairs! The haynes manual seems to refer you to remove the engine or transmission for just about any normal rear wheel drive problems. This is the first front wheel drive car I have ever owned and had to work on and of course it belongs to my son.
What I am needing to know is
1) if the engine must be removed to remove the crankshaft or if someone knows a way around this?
2) does the engine have to be removed along with the transmission?
3) Is it necessary to remove it out the bottom of the car or can it come out the top with a little more work? I have limited space so taking it out the bottom seems to be more of a problem.
4)How long does it take to remove the engine for an average mechanic?
5) Should I just junk this car and find another car WITHOUT a Quad 4?
I bought this car for my son and it is in great shape body and interior wise. When we bought it the oil pressure light came on at idle only so I first replaced the pressure sensor. Still had the problem. I then changed the oil pump (12 hour job). It was ok initially and then it started doing it again. Figured heck it ran good, no sounds, must be alright. WRONG! 4 months later I am back into this motor replacing mains and rod bearings. Luckily none of them spun or overheated! Crank looks like total crap on the first 3 bearings and ok on the last2 mains. Only bad rod bearing was number 2. When checking the oil pressure with an actual guage the pressure would be fine (45+ lbs) for a few minutes until the oil and engine began to warm up and then would slowly drop to 0. I only checked it with an actual guage after the damage was done. Should have done this I guess when I made the replacement of the oil pump.
I only Paid $1000 for the car and hate to junk it because it is in such good shape otherwise. I am not too impressed with this engine so far. Thinking of just honing the crank and putting new standard bearings in all around and getting rid of it to the next quad 4 victim. HEHE
