Facebook is tired of my questions. They said to either rebuild or replace motor.

what's the most cost effective way to determine if it's even worth rebuilding?

Can I pull the engine myself and inspect some things? Or would a mechanic need to do it? I've swapped the turbo and did the timing chains myself.

what's the general cost to have a mechanic determine if it's worth rebuilding, and cost to have it rebuild? Would it just make more sense to put a new motor in for the cost?

 

If you are capable of removing the engine, then you are capable of replacing the engine. ZZP might have a replacement engine LNF or LDK first you must determine what the issue is , a head gasket? Or worn piston rings? Burnt or coked valves ?
take some tests, compression test, leak down test , kits are available at your local parts palace.

 

Leak down test advisable but prolly a waste of time. Pull the head. If warranted, i.e., if the walls aren't a disaster, remove the oil pan and look underneath. Get some experience assistance with inspection. Then decide.

With a lotta luck, the bottom is OK and maybe you can surface the deck well enuff and fix up the head well enough slap it back on.

 

I’ve followed this car and it’s many, many problems since you bought it almost as a salvage. I said that you were in need of a rebuild or replacement engine a long time ago. Unless the body and interior are in great shape, it’s probably best to forget this car.

 

Body has some dings. Paint looks beautiful. Its blue flash metallic so it's worth saving. If it was a flat color I wouldn't care.

 

Going to source an engine puller and get on it.

 

Should I pull engine or do leak tests first? Pay or try to do it myself?

 

If the car is more than 10 years old, sell it and get another. Chances are a new motor wil break down the transmission or another part of the car. If you are firmly attached to it, then do what you want to with it and keep repairing it until it works for you. The heck with what anyone else says. I have fixed up plenty of cars that I should have scrapped, wasted waaay too much money and time on them, but I had a good time doing it nad moved on. No one can convince you to do something you don't want to do except yourself.

These things aren't made anymore and eventually they will be gone so have fun with it! I do and plan on keeping mine until either it quits or I do. I smile every time I drive down the road.

 

Amen!