Is an engine rebuild worth it?

[hodgsoja]

Hi

XC90 D5 SE 161K 2009

Further to my post yesterday, it initially appears to look like the aux belt i replaced (which was disintegrating, though i had hoped i caught it in time) had actually got caught up with the timing belt & knocked the timing out by a tooth or 2 & with it - my engine - hence the odd noise being a lack of compression.

The debate with my now ageing car as to whether getting an engine rebuild, replacing the engine, selling to a breaker etc is in full swing.

Just had a new MOT on it (along with the 2 new pirellis), turbo resonator last year - aside from which over our 7 years of ownership have been standard maintenance only (annual parking brake MOT larks ignored for now!)

My question is: Do you think it is worth going for a rebuild (obviously an unknown expense until the excavation is in full swing)?

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of what damage was done by timing belt failure and what their bill ended up being? is a risky business and i am going in with eyes wide open

I should add am not really in a position to spend much on a replacement car

p.s. It's my wife's car & she absolutely loves it so she wants a rebuild

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by hodgsoja

Hi

XC90 D5 SE 161K 2009

Further to my post yesterday, it initially appears to look like the aux belt i replaced (which was disintegrating, though i had hoped i caught it in time) had actually got caught up with the timing belt & knocked the timing out by a tooth or 2 & with it - my engine - hence the odd noise being a lack of compression.

The debate with my now ageing car as to whether getting an engine rebuild, replacing the engine, selling to a breaker etc is in full swing.

Just had a new MOT on it (along with the 2 new pirellis), turbo resonator last year - aside from which over our 7 years of ownership have been standard maintenance only (annual parking brake MOT larks ignored for now!)

My question is: Do you think it is worth going for a rebuild (obviously an unknown expense until the excavation is in full swing)?

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of what damage was done by timing belt failure and what their bill ended up being? is a risky business and i am going in with eyes wide open

I should add am not really in a position to spend much on a replacement car

p.s. It's my wife's car & she absolutely loves it so she wants a rebuild

If your tooth has been mocked out by a tooth or two it would have led to the car running very very poorly and you would have known about it so are you sure that has happened?

If it were me I would want to confirm your engine was destroyed, whilst it is an interference fit I would not jump to the conclusion that a skipped tooth has led to catastrophic failure (it may have).

Perhaps the first thing to do is get the timing set and then do a compression test. You may be able to get cylinder 1 to TDC and time yourself.

You need to rule out the symptoms of engine failure which may be caused purely by incorrect timing.

If you do KNOW that the engine has suffered catastrophic failure then personally I would go for a reconditioned unit. I would imagine for the outlay you would then be set up for a long time.

I assume it’s an auto but if a manual obviously it goes without saying replace the clutch.

[Danielpsmith]

If you do need an engine, I had mine replaced last year and it was a 2.5k bill with everything like gearbox oil, cambelt, service etc that was a good second hand engine with low ish miles.

But fingers crossed your engine ok but definitely get a second opinion on it.

[Tannaton]

If you do need an engine, get a second hand one. The D5 is so reliable, good second hand units are much cheaper than a rebuild.

[john langrick]

Agree with above

You will be surprised how reasonably these emgines are.

I personally went to a company called Volvo Saab breakers and had my indie replace the engine, taking an opportunity to check engine mounts etc.

Speak to them and they will let you know the mileage of the donor.

That was nearly three years ago and she continues to run sweet. (Perhaps I should keep quiet about that).

But as all are saying, get a good indie to check the old one out fully.

The labour cost to replace the engine was quoted £1000 and mine was lifted up and sub frame dropped out.

Hope this helps

[Tannaton]

If the timing is out and there is piston and valve contact, the damage is usually that the hydraulic valve clearance adjusters rupture their housing in the cylinder head casting. If you had a sub-100k mile car I would suggest getting a recon head but that’s actually a longer job to do properly than change the whole engine. So on a 160k car it would by cheaper and lowest risk to change the engine with a second hand one which are plentiful on eBay etc. best to pay a bit more though and go to one of the bigger breakers with good feedback and a reasonable warranty.

Such as these chaps : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194724665...EAAOSw241YflDO

[hodgsoja]

*Update*

Well it was indeed terminal as the head was cracked and various other bent rods (5k garage estimate to fix) etc. - took the hard decision after 8 years of ownership to cut losses (as that was only the top of the engine, potential for further trouble down below) due to mileage of 161k so flogged it to Charles Trent who will either fix it or dismantle for parts.

On the upside bought a replacement 2013 SE Lux so still in the club, so to speak

The prospect of replacing the engine was a step too far for the wife (it’s her car)

Cheers for the advice nonetheless

[Craigtange]

Originally Posted by hodgsoja

Hi

XC90 D5 SE 161K 2009

Further to my post yesterday, it initially appears to look like the aux belt i replaced (which was disintegrating, though i had hoped i caught it in time) had actually got caught up with the timing belt & knocked the timing out by a tooth or 2 & with it - my engine refubishment - hence the odd noise being a lack of compression.

The debate with my now ageing car as to whether getting an engine rebuild, replacing the engine, selling to a breaker etc is in full swing.

Just had a new MOT on it (along with the 2 new pirellis), turbo resonator last year - aside from which over our 7 years of ownership have been standard maintenance only (annual parking brake MOT larks ignored for now!)

My question is: Do you think it is worth going for a rebuild (obviously an unknown expense until the excavation is in full swing)?

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of what damage was done by timing belt failure and what their bill ended up being? is a risky business and i am going in with eyes wide open

I should add am not really in a position to spend much on a replacement car

p.s. It's my wife's car & she absolutely loves it so she wants a rebuild

hey, got a bit of a problem with my 95 v6 pickup w/ 266k miles on it. it eats oil, like a quart every 250-300 miles, no leaks, some smoke when I start it up sometimes, and the oil goes black fairly quickly after an oil change. put in a new pcv valve and that did nothing to quell the oil consumption. realizing the engine may be in some sort of a death spiral (although it still runs great), i'm thinking about getting the engine rebuilt b/c of the crazy price of used trucks these days. does anyone have any experience or words of wisdom about getting an engine with this many miles on it rebuilt? is it simply a waste of money? i like this truck and I want to keep it but it's also an expensive job . . . and if anyone knows of a good rebuilder in washington or oregon, please let me know. thank you.