Engine Seized At 200k. What To Do?

[galaxyr]

Yep, engine seized at just over 200k miles. Lots of people say deisels do well over this with no problems but mechanic says this about the life of a diesel.

Luckily (?) just came back from hols previous day. Two weeks ago had it serviced and a new power steering pump and belt fitted because it seized. Obvious questions maybe was it serviced correctly etc but it ran sweet-as-a-nut for the hols and did 800 miles before seizing.

 

WAS getting a slight squeel from the repaired power steering on full lock after 500 miles but don't think it may be associated with engine seize - just doing 50mph when I heard noise and saw puff of blue smoke in rear view mirror then engine raced to full throttle and stopped. Phoned mechanic who said the cambelt probably snapped. I had this replaced just after buying the car early last year and by a different mechanic. Did he maybe use a cheaper belt instead of the better quality one? Should I remove this now and check if it's a cheap one?

 

My main problem is what do I do with a knackered galaxy 1998 model?

Do I get another engine put in and keep the value of the car or sell as is for spares and cut my losses?

I know the decision is ultimately mine but would appreciate some comments from other galaxy owners.

 

Roy

[insider]

A broken cambelt would have stopped the engine almost immediately and wouldn't have caused it to seize (although it might have damaged the valves and pistons). It sounds like your EGR valve failed and the engine was using its own oil as fuel - "engine raced to full throttle and stopped". When this ran out you had no lubrication and hence the engine seized.

 

Sorry can't really help with the other decision. It's all a question of economics - how much you're willing to spend and what you expect to get in return. If your annual mileage is low and you want to keep the same car then a reconditioned engine might be the way to go but if you do a lot of miles then perhaps it's time to go for a newer model.

[me myself and I]

For what its worth:

I had a year 2000 (dont know what letter it is in the UK) 1.8td Duratec Mondeo.It had 297,000 miles on the clock when the (original) clutch went.Was too much hassle to get clutch done so got shot of it.But the engine was sweet as a nut at that mileage.Emiisions low with (shamefully) little serviceing.

As said above its all about personal economics.If you get a good rebuild with a decent clutch at the same time engine wise you should be looking at the same mileage again.Dont know about suspension etc.

Regards belts IN MY OWN OPINION I always specify Gates made belts.A few quid extra but have never let me down.Proof......re shamefully bad serviceing above.I have so much confidence in gates belts (and my mechanic) that I put 100k miles on above Mondeo with a gates cambelt and new Ford pulleys. :P

[Neils TDi again]

Get a spare engine at about 500 quid plus the same again for fitting and you will at least retain that plus the extra value of the vehicle if you let it go its worth nothing.

[johnswlondon]

sounds a bit like the belt going,the engine will race if there are no valves!

 

it is tempting to throw good money after bad, buying and having a reconditioned engine fitted is no guarantee that it will go well.often these replacement engines have led very sorry lives.between galaxy owners(and just my opinion)these replacement engine fitters are a load of cowboys,who cut corners on the service items like new head gaskets and long bolts,reuse shells and bearings and leave all sorts of debris floating round ready to finish off your reconditioned engine.in other words,if the existing engine cant be repaired cheaply,scrap the car.

 

i would buy another galaxy right now,dont even wait to deal with your old one.

i would avoid the v6 and the deisel and go for the cheap and cheerful 2.0,preferably without airconditioning because this can cause problems,also avoid electric rear windows,and ex mini cabs

 

sell your old parts on ebay,or the whole car for spares or repairs on ebay.i would sell the whole car for spares or repairs and expect to get about 180 pounds

[sepulchrave]

Well......

 

If your gal is in otherwise decent condition and only needs an engine then it is worth doing, if on the other hand you're gonna need tyres, brakes, MOT etc. soon then I'd break it.

 

The advice about dodgy recon units is VERY valid, especially Ford engines since so many cowboys do them.

 

Far better to buy a complete front end from a crashed low mileage gal and swap the lot, thereby neatly dumping your 200k gearbox and maybe getting a load of newer ancillarys as well.

Half a day spent on the phone may well buy you a whole written-off car for a few hundred quid and as long as you have a decent mechanic available you'll be laughing.

 

Alternatively you are loaded and just buy a new one, selling the old one for spares or repair to someone on this very forum less well off than yourself. :lol:

[Neils TDi again]

I dont want to fuel the fire on technical understanding but i have to point out if the timing (cam) belt goes the engine will not "race" it wil stop almost instantly as "having no valves" has the effect of stopping the ability of the engine to induct fuel and air and also to compress the fuel air mixture and subsequently burn the aforesaid fuel air mixture.

 

The most likely event is that the engine lifted the lubricant out of the sump through either the EGR valve going faulty or more likely the rings failing on comression and allowing bypass to occur. A runaway diesel is quite common with worn bores.

 

Either way a replacement is the best route if you feel the remains of your Gal would have the supportive value or indeed if it is financially viable for yourself.

[Smilge]

What would I do ...... yep ..... cut your losses and sell it for spares ......get a newer model as there are plenty about and the second hand car market is pretty good at the moment. Just shop around regardless of distance and you'll save a pretty packet. Avoid the auctions.

[mumof4]

Umm..why avoid the auctions?????my baby went to one of them!!!.. :lol:

[Smilge]

Umm..why avoid the auctions?????my baby went to one of them!!!.. :lol:

 

Probably something to do with uncreosoted lap panels Mum ...and you left the lawnmower in it.... :lol:

[mumof4]

OOOOOOOOO..thats cutting!!...there was nowt wrong wi my baby!! :lol: .. just an oil leak..otherwise she drove a dream...and by god could she fly!....mind..the veccy goes faster.. :lol:

[Hank]

When I use to work for an engine reconditioner (many moons ago!) we use to say if you are happy with the car and you can get another 3 years use out of it then fit another engine ... what you need to consider is yours has done 200k so how long before the gearbox etc starts to go ...

 

There is an engine on Ebay at the moment http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-GALAXY-1-9-TURB...VQQcmdZViewItem

Buy-it-now price is

[gregers]

this seems good value if youve got that sort of dosh burning a hole in your pocket?

230154472532 ebay again