This has likely been discussed before, but I didn't find it (point me the way if you know)

The engine in my '08 S is dead. 'Ingested a spark plug, and damaged cylinder walls. Compression pretty much gone. Previous to this, I had just discovered exhaust gas in my coolant, so figure a cracked head. Basically, the engine is FUBAR.

The prices for junkyard engines floored me. Forgive me for being skeptical, but $3500 for a junkyard engine? Hell, to the no. I'm not putting that kind of money into something that isn't inspected, scoped, compression checked, and leakdown checked. And that's not something you get from the recycler.

That leaves me with two options:
1) I rebuild the engine myself. That would require a lot of time, as I'd have to acquire or rent skills that I don't currently have. The car sits in the garage; it's not a DD, so I have time. I've done clutches and replaced transmissions, but never worked with a machine shop to rebuild from scratch. I'm not even sure in the end it would be less than getting a rebuilt long block. Which brings me to...

2) Buying a rebuilt long block. About the only place I found doing this was MR Mini in Irving, TX. Their price is $3250, plus 160 for shipping, and a core charge. This probably is within the level of skill and tools I have available, but that's a lot of money to throw down to someone I haven't worked with, and who's half the country away. (I'm in the Cincinnati, OH area)

For those of you who have either rebuilt an engine, or bought a rebuilt, how much did you spend, and which way would you go? Keep in mind that I'll probably need a head and block; this isn't likely to be a gasket only job.

thanks in advance.

 

I'd go with the rebuilt engine, as you won't save a ton of money by DIY and given the existing damage, you'd still have to go to a machine shop for a bore job and valve work. For all you know, the cylinder wall may be too damaged to allow an over-bore. I know how to rebuild engines and that's still the path I'd take.

I suggest the rebuilt long block (with warranty) and while you're at it, have the head gone over thoroughly by a good machinist. Chances are that the head needs planed to flatness, and you may need valve work or valve seals.

 

We have a short block available with two-year warranty:

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME8...-2010-Cooper-S

Also have complete motors under the same warranty.

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME8...m-Gen2-R55-r61

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

That short block is a good price. Still need to have the head gone over to make sure it's right.

 

When my engine ingested a spark plug, the damage was on the piston and the head. the block luckily was unharmed. Got a new head, new valves and the car runs fine. So, get the cylinder head out and see the extent of the damage and go from there.

 

Gotta agree with MiniToBe --- find out for yourself what you need and go from there. Mini dealers are a good source and price for replacement engines, just terrible labor charges. There's a few shops posting on NAM that will do the work reasonably priced. Probably worth the shipping costs.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I had the block scoped, so I know that's damaged. I had exhaust gasses in the coolant prior to the failure, so I suspect the head may be bad, and might even be a cause for the engine damage.

I really can't make the numbers work, even with my labor. I think I'll let this one go to Craigslist. If it was a JCW standard shift in British Racing Green, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But it's my wife's daily automatic.