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So after getting furloughed as an airline pilot, following the recommended service intervals (I know, I know, I should have checked the oil), driving home from Detroit to Denver, my engine started to knock. I was stuck halfway through the drive and the engine was fried... Long story short, I am back in Denver and need to get my car up and running. (There is more to the story, but it would sound like a bad country song, and I am more into solving a problem then looking for sympathy).
I've had two different mechanics (one a family member) take a look at the car and they both said the best option would be to do an engine swap. I've been able to find engines online in the range of 2500-3000 dollars some with great warranties, but I just wanted to know if you guys had any advice as to what to look for when buying an engine. Remanned, used, etc...
Also, I will be picking up the Bentley service manual and attempting the long block swap myself. Are there any special tools or things I need to take into account? I am very mechanically inclined, but I've never attempted a job this large before. I am confident I can do it, but would like to do all the necessary research and do it right. Also, if someone in the area would like to help me, I can offer you some really cheap air fairs anywhere in the world. My benefits expire at the end of November though, and you fly standby, but if you fly before Thanksgiving, this is the slowest time of the year.
Thanks for everything in advance. Please no scoldings, it's already a low point in my life. I want my MINI back (cue chilis baby back rib song).
What airline if I may ask, I'm a Heavy Maint. Planner for USAIRWAYS.
Dave
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05 DS/B MCS, Jan Tune (208/191), Helix 19% Pulley, Helix High Flow 380's, Helix Intake, TSW Damper, Helix Short Shifter, "Ebay"exhaust, Mintex Red Box Pads, Walmart Catch Can, Scanguage II, Garmin Nuvi 350, 205/50/16 General Exclaim UHP's on Panasport rims, Home made Light Bar w/4 Hella 500's
I'm a Mesaba Guy... We fly CRJ-900's, 200's, and Saab-340 (now to be parked) for Northwest now Delta. I was an FO on the 900. If things don't change they are looking at furloughing half of the pilot seniority list. Not good times. Even worse that my MINI quit after my last day.
That SUUUCKS! The airline industry is not a good feeling place to be right now, I've been dodging the bullet since 99, as of now we have plenty of work on 190's, 320 series, 737's here in PIT. And too top it off the Mini lets you down, bumber! Hopefully the industry is at the bottom of it's cycle!
Dave
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05 DS/B MCS, Jan Tune (208/191), Helix 19% Pulley, Helix High Flow 380's, Helix Intake, TSW Damper, Helix Short Shifter, "Ebay"exhaust, Mintex Red Box Pads, Walmart Catch Can, Scanguage II, Garmin Nuvi 350, 205/50/16 General Exclaim UHP's on Panasport rims, Home made Light Bar w/4 Hella 500's
I hope so too! I loved my job but the industry is tough. First year FO pay sitting straight reserve is nothing to joke about. I might as well be working at walmart. You being in MX, i am guessing your job is quite safe. Airplanes do break quite a bit. LOL. Now if only my MINI had an EICAS. it would have told me the engine oil was low.
Hope things improve....I used to fly Metro's out of Denver flying cargo(call sigh was "spend-air") until I got furloughed 6 or so years ago.....lived in Aurora too!! Small World ....I can say when I found work at a different company 11 months later (after I gave up hoping to get recalled), the new job was better...though I did have to move back east !!
Good Luck!!!!
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l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
sorry to hear abou the furlough.. Dodged that bullet a couple of times myself. Got sick of the "airline" bs and now am back flying a twin otter on floats in Vancouver..
I was stuck halfway through the drive and the engine was fried... Long story short, I am back in Denver and need to get my car up and running. (There is more to the story, but it would sound like a bad country song, and I am more into solving a problem then looking for sympathy).
States MY MINI visited
Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS
