engine blocks

[jlaudioman 10+ year member]

I have a 2000 Blazer that I bought used last May. The guy who had it before me leased it for two years. I thought that not much could go wrong if he drove it respectably during that time. I replaced the serpentine belt about 2 months ago (had major cracks in it) and I started getting this ticking noise. Thought maybe the tensioner pulley was going bad or wasn't tightened enough...at least that's what I thought. Well I took it to a dealership to get the engine looked at this morning...it turns out I need a new engine block. $4500 with parts and labor??? That's what they quoted me. I guess my question is...what could cause an engine block (or whatever's inside it) to go bad? The mechanic told me that I should be glad I took it when I did because it could have very easily threw a rod or melted the pistons any time. Any one know anything about Chevy engines to give me some input? Thanks guys.

Ryan

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[paul83085 10+ year member]

isnt it under warranty still??? and 4500 seems sorta steep you could find someone to do it cheaper

 

[KAMAK 10+ year member]

i have 90,000+ on my chevy 3.1 and nothing has gone wrong with it. I dont know what could cause your problem. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif Maybe the mechanic is trying to rip you off. Who knows.

 

[jlaudioman 10+ year member]

isnt it under warranty still??? and 4500 seems sorta steep you could find someone to do it cheaper

I didn't buy the extended warranty on it. There's just over 52,500 miles on it. Kinda pissed that something major could go wrong so soon on it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/banghead.gif.8606515f668c74f6de0281deb475b6fd.gif I dunno though...maybe they are just ripping me off. Anyone else have any other advice or comments?

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

I seriously doubt they would re-use your crank, rods, pistons, heads, etc. They're basically charging you for a new engine. And something had to go SERIOUSLY wrong to even think about replacing a "block." Unless the car has had un-solvable over-heating problems, which could be a cracked head (not the block). For that much money you could drop a small block crate engine 350 in there and have money left over to do the necessary changes in order to make it fit. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Now that would be awesome!

But there's no way...I would ask them exactly what went wrong and also ask them if you can get a detailed list so you could let us (or other people) know what they claim is the problem.

 

[jlaudioman 10+ year member]

I seriously doubt they would re-use your crank, rods, pistons, heads, etc. They're basically charging you for a new engine. And something had to go SERIOUSLY wrong to even think about replacing a "block." Unless the car has had un-solvable over-heating problems, which could be a cracked head (not the block). For that much money you could drop a small block crate engine 350 in there and have money left over to do the necessary changes in order to make it fit. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Now that would be awesome!
But there's no way...I would ask them exactly what went wrong and also ask them if you can get a detailed list so you could let us (or other people) know what they claim is the problem.

well I asked them what the detailed info was on the "problem". They said that for them to do the diagnostics on it, it would cost me $750 for them to basically open up the engine block and figure it out. Then if I still had to replace the entire block, it would cost me an additional $4500. I'm just curious as to if I should either get it fixed and keep it, get it fixed and trade it in, or just trade it in as is. The first owner must have driven it pretty hard for this to go wrong as I get the routine maintenance done on it. The mechanic mentioned that most likely, the previous owner didn't do the routine oil changes and that's most likely the cause of this mess. I dunno though...I don't know much about car's, let alone something as detailed/confusing as an engine block.

 

[BDIDDY 10+ year member]

well I asked them what the detailed info was on the "problem". They said that for them to do the diagnostics on it, it would cost me $750 for them to basically open up the engine block and figure it out. Then if I still had to replace the entire block, it would cost me an additional $4500. I'm just curious as to if I should either get it fixed and keep it, get it fixed and trade it in, or just trade it in as is. The first owner must have driven it pretty hard for this to go wrong as I get the routine maintenance done on it. The mechanic mentioned that most likely, the previous owner didn't do the routine oil changes and that's most likely the cause of this mess. I dunno though...I don't know much about car's, let alone something as detailed/confusing as an engine block.

Seems like bullshit to me. Is it not the valves? If you really need that done just trade it in. For 4500 though you could put something wicked under that hood.

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

Seems like bullshit to me. Is it not the valves? If you really need that done just trade it in. For 4500 though you could put something wicked under that hood.

Even if you have the 4 cyl, brand new V-6's are ~$2200 (advertised in hot rod magazines). My dad can get a crate 350 (everything but the intake manifold and the carb) for $1400, but most of the newer ones run around $1900. My dad said "It sounds like that guy [mechanic] needs to make a mortgage payment", which I think isn't that far from the truth. I mean, big-block 502's are around $6000...so that $4500 is a total joke.

Is the car driveable? If so, take your vehicle somewhere else and get a second opinion. That's the best money you can spend at this point - a second opinion.

Other than the valves (which if not torqued/setup correctly can make your engine "tick"), I seriously doubt you have a problem with your cylinders, rods, or crank shaft.

If nothing else have it trailored back to your residence and have another mechanic come over and look at the thing. Then find someone who can drop in a 350 small block in there for you. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Seriously, that price is just way out there. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

 

[MaXiMa 10+ year member]

Even if you have the 4 cyl, brand new V-6's are ~$2200 (advertised in hot rod magazines). My dad can get a crate 350 (everything but the intake manifold and the carb) for $1400, but most of the newer ones run around $1900. My dad said "It sounds like that guy [mechanic] needs to make a mortgage payment", which I think isn't that far from the truth. I mean, big-block 502's are around $6000...so that $4500 is a total joke.
Is the car driveable? If so, take your vehicle somewhere else and get a second opinion. That's the best money you can spend at this point - a second opinion.

Other than the valves (which if not torqued/setup correctly can make your engine "tick"), I seriously doubt you have a problem with your cylinders, rods, or crank shaft.

If nothing else have it trailored back to your residence and have another mechanic come over and look at the thing. Then find someone who can drop in a 350 small block in there for you. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Seriously, that price is just way out there. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

of course i think he says it is installed for 4500. although they do **** you on the install charges

 

[jlaudioman 10+ year member]

Well some good news for me....

so I went back to the dealership to talk to the mechanic...thought maybe he'd have some different info for me. Well he said he still thinks my best bet is to replace the block. I said ok and went out to lot just to look around at the '03 Grand Am GT's. I had a '99 back in '99 for 3 years (leased it). Asked the guy if he minded if I took one for a spin and he let me. Kinda fell in love with them again after that. So we went into his office and sat down, crunched some numbers, I negociated a little bit just bullshittin with him and we get a payment in my price range. I signed the bottom line....they took the Blazer as a trade in...they completely paid off my loan on it...and financed my new car! So...the engine block is their problem, not mine now. So now I'm back in a 2 dr. Grand Am GT. The only downfall is, is that I bought 2 12" XXX's and 2 tsunami 1100d amps for the Blazer. Think I'll be able to get the to fit in the grand am? Or should I just install one of each?

Ryan

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

GAGT's kick *** ... enjoy it man.

You'll fit them XXX's in there ... we'll find a way (you can get them to fit //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif )

- Steve

 

[BDIDDY 10+ year member]

Well some good news for me....
so I went back to the dealership to talk to the mechanic...thought maybe he'd have some different info for me. Well he said he still thinks my best bet is to replace the block. I said ok and went out to lot just to look around at the '03 Grand Am GT's. I had a '99 back in '99 for 3 years (leased it). Asked the guy if he minded if I took one for a spin and he let me. Kinda fell in love with them again after that. So we went into his office and sat down, crunched some numbers, I negociated a little bit just bullshittin with him and we get a payment in my price range. I signed the bottom line....they took the Blazer as a trade in...they completely paid off my loan on it...and financed my new car! So...the engine block is their problem, not mine now. So now I'm back in a 2 dr. Grand Am GT. The only downfall is, is that I bought 2 12" XXX's and 2 tsunami 1100d amps for the Blazer. Think I'll be able to get the to fit in the grand am? Or should I just install one of each?

Ryan

Your either really rich, or in debt out the ***.

 

[joshpoints 10+ year member]

Your either really rich, or in debt out the ***.

That price is a rip off. You should be able to reuse all your ignition equipment and injectors. $4,500 sounds like a turn key engine. BUt then again if you are having it done by a shop I guess that is probably about right when labor is added in.