2009 chevy suburban XLT 4 wheel drive 150K. Engine blew right after I bought it (RPM Motors in Scottsdale, thanks to those crooks).
Mechanic said $10,000 to put a used engine with 150k miles. I can get a rebuilt engine $3000. I have a huge garage. I thought to try and install the engine myself. Am I crazy? Just seems $7000 sounds awfully high
I thought maybe try and find a mechanic to help me on the side.
How many miles? Is it burning oil? The problem with just reconditioning the head on a high-miles engine is that it increases cylinder pressure and makes the problem of worn rings, bearings, etc. worse than they were before.
It was running great before it overheated. I don't think it was over 100K or not much over. It's been in storage for a long time and it's not where I can look easily. I didn't drive it long enough to notice burning oil but the exhaust didn't seem to suggest it, no noticeable smoke of any color.
I'm going to have a mechanic do a cylinder pressure test and look at the coolant and hopefully that will give a good clue as to if the heads are enough or if the engine is shot.
It's still a nice looking truck for sure. I just want to get it running and sell it.
you will definitely need a manual to do it, so I would suggest looking at one first before attempting it.
Thanks. I have the Chilton manual full sized trucks version.
What I really want to know is how to determine if I can get away with just replacing the heads rather than the entire engine, even if it only runs long enough to sell it.
Yes that's a crappy thing to say but I'm tired of being the one ripped off all the time. I would normally never do such a thing to anyone but after being responsible for $40,000 of car loans for hunks of useless steel, I'm tired of it. Not including the motorcycle a dealer sold me when I went to trade it in, the guy immediately said no because he could tell it was in an accident immediately. It wasn't something a non-mechanic would have known but he did and I suspect the dealer knew about it as well. That's my last 3 vehicles that I've been ripped off. I've had it.
What is it with these scummy car dealers?
I was also ripped off by the mechanics involved. They seem to be a scummy bunch as well. I paid $1000 to fix the overheating issue on the blown engine. They didn't do a cylinder pressure test as another mechanic said should be common procedure. The engine blew 3 months later from, you guessed it, overheating.
It was running great before it overheated. I don't think it was over 100K
just heads is probably fine. get them machined and buy a top end kit that includes all new seals and gaskets.
Eric O did a 4 part video on replacing an engine in a chevy pickup. Should give you an idea of the scope of the work on your Suburban.
I think if you want to watch all 4 parts you'll get an idea if you want to tackle this kind of job yourself. Keep in mind that he has a lift.
Video Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKJLC_EjDxQ
Engine is "blown". How do I tell if I can get away with replacing the head or having to replace the entire engine?
$12,000 for engine. The truck is barely worth that much.
How difficult would it be for me to replace it myself?
I've heard good things about Jasper engines and bad things (as usual). Opinions?