Hi,
So my Subaru Impreza 2010 2.5i Hatchback (120 000km, used car, automatic) that I bought 5 months ago ran into a problem and I had to change all the engine. There wasn't oil in the engine and the engine broke. I don't know if I should sell it or keep it after the engine is replaced ?
Thanks
I'm not very knowledgeable about cars,
No offense intended, but I think we got that impression from the description "There wasn't oil in the engine and the engine broke." How did that happen if you don't mind my asking. Was the engine burning a lot of oil and it took you by surprise, or did it somehow leak out?
Is the head gasket issue something that can be permanently fixed, or is it a persistent problem with these engines, even with higher-quality head gaskets?
It can be fixed with better head gaskets that are available. However if you want the mechanic to replace head gaskets that's going to cost even more, though since the engine is already out of the car it would be less to do it now than later. (You didn't say how much this was going to cost or what kind of shop is doing the work.) It should also have the timing belt replaced. You could very quickly be getting into the zone where the engine replacement will cost as much or even more than the car is worth.
Then you have the problem that the quality of work that "the guy" is going to do with this junkyard engine is unknown. There's a lot that can go wrong when transplanting an engine into a computer-controlled car, especially if it is not from the exact same year and model. Did you get the six-month warranty in writing? What does it specifically cover?
Yeah it was by surprise, I think the engine was burning a lot of oil, but there wasn't leaks. It will cost me 2500 CAD to replace the engine and it's an Auto parts store that my friend suggested to me. On my part, I put the car in good hands and I'm just waiting the car to finish. Yeah I'm going to have a written warranty, that includes damage and everything. So, if the engine fails, it will be replaced for 6 months. I think I'm better selling it after it's done. I just don't want to run into other problems if in 5 months after purchase, the engine failed.
Sounds like a decent plan, hopefully you can recoup at least part of the cost when you sell it.
Thank you very much for your help, really appreciated !
That all depends on how the engine is replaced. If it's just going to be a used junkyard one, I'd sell it as soon as you got it back
Yes it’s going to be replaced with a used junkyard one, the details and milage of the replaced motor will be given to me when it’s finish. That’s my first car, and I was very happy to purchased but I didn’t think that this would happen. Why is it better to sell it ?
Why is it better to sell it ?
A junkyard engine is a big gamble, and Subaru 2.5L engines prior to 2011 are prone to blowing head gaskets.
Even if I will have a 6 months warranty for the engine ? The guy who is going to fix it told me that he had two engines but there weren’t in good conditions and with high milages. He is going to have one tomorrow and going to report me if the engine is good. With all that, the best option would also be to sell it ?
What if the head gaskets blow after the six month warranty is up? You'll be stuck with thousands of dollars in repairs. Your call, but you might be better off putting the money towards a more reliable car.
I see, and I'm willing to do what's best. If selling is the best option, I'm ready to proceed with that. I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, so expert opinions greatly influence my decisions. Is the head gasket issue something that can be permanently fixed, or is it a persistent problem with these engines, even with higher-quality head gaskets? Could I ask the mechanic replacing the engine to use third-party head gaskets as a potential solution?