Car engine trouble. Need some help?
(2012-02-01 15:20:24) 1. Says: I have a 1998 VW Passat with a 1.8t engine.Recently the intake camshaft snapped due to an oil blockage (it overheated and eventually broke) and my engine has stopped working. I took off the top part of the head but am having difficulty removing some of the bolts that hold the head in place. I apparently need a specific tool for it.
I could order the tool but there's a guy on ebay selling the exact engine I need for $1200 (used) that includes a brand new timing belt, working turbo (the one I have doesnt work), and working air conditioner (mine doesnt work). My dad alrdy contacted him but hes not going to wait for us to order another tool so I can find out for sure whether only the head of my car is damaged, or if the whole engine is.
Here's option 1: I order the part and forget about the new engine. I try to see if the entire engine is broken or just the head. A brand new head will cost only $300-$500 (as apposed to $1200 for a whole engine). If it turns out the entire engine is shot then I'll have to buy a rebuilt one for around $2200 because I missed out on the used one.
Option 2: I buy the $1200 and just replace the whole dam thing. I buy the tool anyways and see if I can salvage anything on my old engine. If just the head is broken then I can just resell the one I just bought and use the money to just buy a $500 head.
And thus leads to my question.
My dad says that he saw all the valves were sealed but I wasn't getting any compression. Which probably meant that the pistons were broken (ie: damaged engine).
Is there any other possible thing that could be wrong that would involve sealed valves but no compression? Is my entire engine shot?
I don't really want to spend $1200 on the engine, I don't need the turbo or an airconditioner. I didn't have it before and it was perfectly fine. But I won't be able to find out if its the entire engine or just the head until after I buy the tool and take off the head. If it is the entire engine then I guess I'll have to spend $1200 but I don't want to unless I have to.
Please, is there ANYTHING else it could be?2. Says: I would get the $1200 engine. If your engine overheated enough to break a cam you could have any amount of other problems, plus you have to factor in any other expenses of taking an engine apart, like machining gasket surfaces and gaskets and seals to put the thing back together, plus any fluids, it will be a lot easier and more reliable in the long run to get the running engine.3. Says: I would say, if you broke the cam you damaged the head for sure, especially if it was due to lack of oil
the engine deal is a better choice if it has the new parts mentioned
save the parts off the old engine as you can core it out or save for spares4. Says: Well one, I find it funny that you need a special tool to take apart a VW. Back in the day, you literally, no joke, could take a vw bug apart with one tool. But back on subject, the best thing to do would be to get the $1200 engine, and keep the engine you currently have for spare parts.5. Says: Your best bet is to the engine the guy is selling. I had the same issue on my Ford Ranger and thought I could get away with replacing a few things but more things were warped than I had originally thought and had to buy a new engine block, new head, pistons, rods, and all that good stuff. So yeah, my opinion is to go with the $1200 engine.6. Says: dont fool urself,deys a lotta dumbass top contributors on here,not all but there are sum.also i dont believe there's no such thing as an intake cam, jus a cam which opens and closes intake and exhaust valves.if u dont see any other bolts holdin it on it proll jus needs a tap w/ a mallet.and of course if ur cam is broke ur not gonna have any compression at all no matter if their seating or not. u dont need a new head for u cud have urs machined an install bigger valves for about $250 Tag: Car engine trouble. Need some help?