replace my engine, advice please

S

sprtfx

Member
Little History on the car, purchase about 2 years ago with about 85k on it, with in 2 years, new ecu, all coil pack and grounding wired replace by dealer.
At 119k, engine is spiting out smoke and motor oil from exhaust tip, burn oil like crazy, did a lot of research and reading up on best way to attack this problem, seem like it would
be cheaper to replace than rebuild the engine.
I have replace acura tl engine before with some help, but don't know much about AWD system,

second part is, is there any way to verified mileage on a used engine from salvage yard. I really don't want to take salvage yard sales guy word for it,
I'm prefer low mile engine off course, I know I can get vin# from engine and try to cross check with Dealer when that car was service and mileage reported and how long ago,(if it was ever service by dealer)

any advice or comments are welcome.
 
When I did some research, it sounded like a rebuild with upgraded internals was the way to go. You'd have to find a specialist though in the VQ35 engines. Then you'd have a built engine that was bullet proof.
 
If you never plan on boosting the car or anything crazy like that, just buy a lower mileage stock motor. Building a motor is much more expensive and has it's own set of issues. If the builder or machinist messes up anything, it gets even more costly. The AWD system shouldn't have much affect, that's all in the tranny. So I think (not sure) that if you get a motor from an AWD, it should mate up. I've never done an Infiniti, just on my old Maxima with a VQ. Motor blew because of fueling issues with forced induction so I bought a cheap low mileage motor and just dropped it in. Considered building it, but the cost was prohibitive and a lot of people I knew with built motors were having issues due to poor workmanship.
 
shadow191 said:
If you never plan on boosting the car or anything crazy like that, just buy a lower mileage stock motor. Building a motor is much more expensive and has it's own set of issues. If the builder or machinist messes up anything, it gets even more costly. The AWD system shouldn't have much affect, that's all in the tranny. So I think (not sure) that if you get a motor from an AWD, it should mate up. I've never done an Infiniti, just on my old Maxima with a VQ. Motor blew because of fueling issues with forced induction so I bought a cheap low mileage motor and just dropped it in. Considered building it, but the cost was prohibitive and a lot of people I knew with built motors were having issues due to poor workmanship.
Click to expand...

That is second part of my question, Found some low mile (so they say) from Car-part com they want 1700-2500, which is about the same price range as rebuild engine.
no plan on major mode on engine, just want fresh reliable motor, I'm good with regular maintence and stuff, if the motor last 4-5 years trouble free it still worth the money I think,
I plan to keep the fx for ever,

any thing I should look for when inspecting the engine for clue if the engine is low mile or hight miles? I'm not too trusting on jy advertised mileage.
 
Any reputable seller will have near perfect feedback and a warranty. Labor is going to be the killer in my opinion.
 
High mileage and low mileage motors go bad at any given time. Its how a vendor/shop handles it. Guy didn't let me run a compression test but he swore it was good. I walked away from that one.

If ur going to see the motor in person bring at the very least a compression AND leak down gauge/tester. But don't go off just that. This is about equal to a Carfax report when buying a car. There could be other broken/damage stuff.

No real way to check the mileage even if its a cluster there. But it shouldn't matter much. Most places tell the truth about miles.
 

Worse case it is seem to be, Engine smoking like snoop dog tour bus.
From now on I'll be posting Replacement Progress, Engine Guru please charm in, I'll start taking every thing apart next week.
Wish myself luck,

From 06 M35X , last odometer reported was a year ago at 79k so give or take this thing is about 85-90k before accident.
Being from M35x which more than likely older driver and it is not being driven hard so it should be healthy engine, will see after
closer inspection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w1aintMuAY


20131025_222459.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20131025_222459.jpg
    20131025_222459.jpg
    101.8 KB · Views: 111
Last edited:
Some progress so far, A one man job so its coming along slowly.

20131030_175644.jpg

20131030_175705.jpg

20131030_175910.jpg

20131030_175910.jpg

20131030_175717.jpg

20131108_124523.jpg

20131030_175832.jpg

20131107_155857-1.jpg

20131107_160703.jpg

20131108_124534.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20131030_175644.jpg
    20131030_175644.jpg
    120.7 KB · Views: 353
  • 20131030_175705.jpg
    20131030_175705.jpg
    132.6 KB · Views: 268
  • 20131030_175910.jpg
    20131030_175910.jpg
    96.7 KB · Views: 176
  • 20131030_175910.jpg
    20131030_175910.jpg
    96.7 KB · Views: 150
  • 20131030_175910.jpg
    20131030_175910.jpg
    96.7 KB · Views: 147
  • 20131108_124523.jpg
    20131108_124523.jpg
    80.7 KB · Views: 227
  • 20131030_175717.jpg
    20131030_175717.jpg
    120.2 KB · Views: 198
  • 20131030_175832.jpg
    20131030_175832.jpg
    79.3 KB · Views: 211
  • 20131107_155857-1.jpg
    20131107_155857-1.jpg
    112.6 KB · Views: 315
  • 20131107_160703.jpg
    20131107_160703.jpg
    123.2 KB · Views: 182
  • 20131108_124534.jpg
    20131108_124534.jpg
    99.7 KB · Views: 753
Last edited:
Wow bro you have talent. The takes a lot of balls to do yourself.

Word of advice, since you have the engine apart like i would just replace the valve cover gaskets while your at it. Common problem on the DE motors where the gaskets leak oil into the spa plug cylinders.kr
 
Fire0nic3FX said:
Wow bro you have talent. The takes a lot of balls to do yourself.

Word of advice, since you have the engine apart like i would just replace the valve cover gaskets while your at it. Common problem on the DE motors where the gaskets leak oil into the spa plug cylinders.kr
Click to expand...

Valve gasket check, solid dried so I'll keep it in until it start took leak, It appear to be good shape, its getting cold so I'll only replace whats needed until
the summer. complete service will done when it get warmer, for now just coolant flush, trans and oil replace to get rid of old one that have been sit in the engine.
 
Impressive man, as stated above you have huge balls and talent to be doing this yourself. I consider myself very mechanically inclined and savvy yet would never even think to attempt this.

Good progress though, get in contact with me once you get her back up and running I still have those headlights for you...
 
meme405 said:
Impressive man, as stated above you have huge balls and talent to be doing this yourself. I consider myself very mechanically inclined and savvy yet would never even think to attempt this.

Good progress though, get in contact with me once you get her back up and running I still have those headlights for you...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll post first start up video. keep my fingers cross and hope it start. deffinately will do headlight after its up and running again.
 
Nice work! Cool that you're doing it on your own. I had to replace the VQ30 in my old car and it was scary. And I was lucky enough to do it at a friend's shop so I had access to a lift and all that. Don't know if I would have done it in my garage. Most nervous moment was when I was about to first fire up new motor. Luckily it started right away. Was leaking coolant like crazy and had several vacuum leaks, but tighten some hoses and good to go. So is it up and running yet?
 
Very nice work, reminds me when I did an engine swap in my Turbo Supra a few years back, gotta have patience and you mark things and group parts in boxes or bins. If you don't have a photographic memory, take photos, cheaper than losing hours on reading the service manual or trial and error. Great work!! Let us know how it went!
 
Nice work.. I replaced a engine on a Hyundai a few months ago.. Was fairly easy except for the headaches when lifting the motor.. The trans was stuck so had to pull both out...

If i were you, i would replace everything you can while you're there.. that way you won't have to worry about anything later on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top