How to tell a good engine?
Turbo Mini Forums

I've just bought a rebuilt engine to replace my current lump, going to pick it up at the weekend.

I was just wondering if there is any way of telling if it has been done properly before i buy it? It looks like this:

I have been told it has had new:
· Piston rings
· Big end bearings
· Main bearings
· Oil pump
· Water pump
· Orange clutch diaphragm
· Timing chain tensioned
· Diff side cover plate bushes

I was going to take a starter motor, some oil and oil filter, and crank it and do a compression test, is there anything else you would recommend? Preferably without taking it apart..

Edited by Mike-998 on 15th Apr, 2012.

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=469104&fr=0

It's red, it'll be fine lol other than taking it apart I don't know how you'd tell

one day boost will be mine!

try to check end float usually you get a feel for it. visual down plug holes check its nice and clean as it should be if it had been apart and not run.

My small bore turbo project http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=473901

You have to ask yourself why is there red paint all over the head studs etc. If its been stripped down, would it not have been painted then?

Thanks, i hadn't thought about the end float.

And dazibee you have a point, unless he painted after it was together so there was no paint on mating surfaces? It'll be getting a new head on it anyway.

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=469104&fr=0

I'd remove the head. If not, no pay!

Not sure whether you can see the bore finish from the spark plug hole but may be worth shining a light down there, the piston crown should at least be carbon free if it has not been run.

yep,

rocker cover off... if its still well oily in there then be suspicious, head off 5 mins work... carbon + no new head gasket = liar...

the very least i would want to do is a compression test and oil pressure test

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

It could give you a hint on what the current owner means as rebuilt. If there is a lip at the top of the block, you suddently know that the engine is due for a proper rebuild. It will also show to some extent what's been done to valves and if the head has been refaced.

I know alot of people that paint there engines built up. Not my thing but guess they are lazy on masking. you will deffinatly see the piston crowns to check how clean and depends how much light and angle you may see cylinder wall.
Be carfull though if i were selling an engine ant the buyer wanted to take it apart/head off i wouldn't be too impressed but if you go with decent gasket in hand its your choice.

My small bore turbo project http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=473901

So,

Rocker cover off
Check end float
Fill with oil, fit starter and oil filter
Compression test
Head off + check bores +pistons

I'll bring spare rocker and head gaskets.

Thanks for the help everyone

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=469104&fr=0

Just take the head off, if he's a genuine seller he shouldn't mind, you ay even get an answer by the way he reacts, take a spare headgasket and a torque wrench.

Audi s4 b5 - 470bhp & 486ft lbs

On 30th Apr, 2012 Brett said:
yeah stick the bit in and give it a wobble

im wondering why uts had the alternater fitted and an oil pressure switch fitted but now there not just doesnt look right to me

Is anybody going to tell him which end float he's checking?

I was assuming the crankshaft endfloat?

Is there more than one i can check?

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=469104&fr=0