my '01 Limited had 230k miles (in great shape and well maintained) and I had the family packed in and coming back from Christmas vacation, engine started knocking and died about a mile later. Dealership told me I needed a new motor, said they dropped the oil pan and there were metal parts in there. So two questions: 1) Should I get a rebuilt engine installed or buy a used engine with 80k miles? Or is there a chance a good mechanic can go in and fix what's broken and a different engine is not necessary. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

john
nashville

 

Was the cause determined? Low oil or coolant? Part failure? How long did it knock before you shut it down? Or did it seize on its own? What are the metal parts in the pan? Rods, bearings, piston chunks?

I would suggest finding a rebuilt short block. Yours may be to far damaged to be worth saving. I'm not a fan of used unless I can see the maintenance history, and partially disassemble to inspect valves and cylinder walls.

 

shortest route would be a reman short or long block with a warranty. other than that you just dont know what youve got unless you can hear and test a used motor be fore you buy it and see the vehicle it was in to verify the mileage.

 

My apologies, I meant to type long block. You are correct, Lo.