Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all,

I had 4-2-1 extractors fitted 2 weeks ago & a new exhaust put in that cost me $800.

Then I made a trip to Cooma in my Zook but the thing is my car hasn't gained much power at all. The only thing I noticed was that I get higher revs & a better rolling start.

What sux is I was going up hills on the highway & my Zook was struggling. Often I was sitting on 100klms max even on slight inclines while driving.

So as I was almost in Cooma, I could hear my car ticking away & I thought that it might be short on motor oil. So I kept driving since I was in the middle of no where then I hear something kind of pop & then some sort of flapping noise as I went up the final hill into town.

The NRMA guy that came around didn't know what it was & he said that it could be a dead engine since it no longer starts now.

I had my car towed to my mechanic & he said that one of the spark plugs was shattered. He also said that one of the pistons could be stuffed or dropped inside the engine.

I'm suppose to get a quote tomorrow for a replacement engine. Or should I spend $3-$4k getting a better engine for my Zook?

Can anyone suggest any options? My original engine had only less than 88,500klms on it.

Thanks,

Marcus

sounds dodgy...

but - if a new engine is in order:

- 1.6 16v EFI conversion
- Jimny 1.3 manifold and 1.6 injectors
- Jimny computer under glove box

this means you need to get new extractors though, which kinda sucks.

either way - a new reco'd engine (stock replacement) fitted for you is going to cost around $2000...

i recon that you should buy a workshop manual and a secondhand motor and stick it in yourself, maybe you will learn a bit of mechanical sympathy.

I agree just buy another 1.3 motor for about $300 and chuck it in. Easiest and cheapest fix.

At least just remove the heads and have a look. It is unusual that bits of spark plug went into cylinder though. Seems blowing spark plugs isnt too uncommon, mine did the same thing, except it blew the guts out of it and almost right thru the bonnet on the freeway. Made a wicked sound, nothin like stoich air/fuel mix choofing out the cylinder while driving.

Pull the plugs out and try to spin the motor by hand/ratchet on the crank bolt , if free check for dizzy rotation and and interferance while rotating the crank , does it crank or is it locked solid , was it missing before the bang , giving a lack of power and then causing the plug to fail , they are a simple motor to rebuild if the block and head are not damaged , Cheers Paul.

I know nothing about car mechanics lol but I do have the Sierra workshop manual.

I got quoted $3k for a recon 1.3L engine replacement!

I told the mech not to worry about it getting a new engine then. + they said they might need to take a look under the cover to see how much damage there was so I just told them not to worry about it & that i'd just get it towed back to my place.

Might just sell it off. Time for a new car maybe considering I've spent thousands to get it back on the road when it was a repairable write-off.

whereabouts in sydney are you? which mechanic did you take it too? and what year is the car?

I'm getting a mobile mech to check it out Fri morning for a 2nd opinion on the engine.

On the paper work from my local mech that I had the car towed to originally it said they did a compression test, the timing belt seems ok & intact. Piston 3 dead.

My car is a 97 model. It was taken to Bonnyrigg Tyes/Mechanics since they were close by to where I live out near Green Valley (M7 tollway).

Can anyone point me to a decent mech withing the Liverpool, Wetherill Park, Hoxton Park area that can do a 1.3L engine install for a good rate?

Thanks, Marcus

Fire4FX wrote:I'm getting a mobile mech to check it out Fri morning for a 2nd opinion on the engine.

On the paper work from my local mech that I had the car towed to originally it said they did a compression test, the timing belt seems ok & intact. Piston 3 dead.

My car is a 97 model. It was taken to Bonnyrigg Tyes/Mechanics since they were close by to where I live out near Green Valley (M7 tollway).

Can anyone point me to a decent mech withing the Liverpool, Wetherill Park, Hoxton Park area that can do a 1.3L engine install for a good rate?

Thanks, Marcus

Mate, I was an NRMA service tech around that area for a few years and have an opinion of that place that I won't share online. I live over Liverpool way and am happy to have a look at it for you if you like. PM me and I'll give you my details.

I had a mobile mech come around today & he pulled apart my engine. Looks like the 3rd has disappeared or what was left of it. The tube walls are scratched up as well so look definately like I'll need a new engine.

hi mate it sounds like you snaped a timing belt and smashed a valve or 2 if its that there is a 50% chance the valve spun around in the cylender and punched a hole in the piston have a look if the timing belt has snaped or ripped teeth off the belt. if you cant see if it ripped teeth off spin the crank and see if the cam turns.

MR SIERRA wrote:hi mate it sounds like you snaped a timing belt and smashed a valve or 2 if its that there is a 50% chance the valve spun around in the cylender and punched a hole in the piston have a look if the timing belt has snaped or ripped teeth off the belt. if you cant see if it ripped teeth off spin the crank and see if the cam turns.

ii think you will find suzuki motors dont hit valves when the belt snaps.

11_evl wrote:

MR SIERRA wrote:hi mate it sounds like you snaped a timing belt and smashed a valve or 2 if its that there is a 50% chance the valve spun around in the cylender and punched a hole in the piston have a look if the timing belt has snaped or ripped teeth off the belt. if you cant see if it ripped teeth off spin the crank and see if the cam turns.

ii think you will find suzuki motors dont hit valves when the belt snaps.

Exactly right, theyre a non-inteferance engine.