luke
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:03 AM |
|
|
zetec overhaul - how far to go?
Hey all,
I picked up an 1800 zetec the other day off ebay and now looking at overhauling it but can't decide how far to go.
The engines a 98 85000 miles looks in very good condition.I was thiking of the following to change
Oil and filter
Spark plugs
Thermostat
Timing belt
Anything else you would recomend?
|
|
|
|
|
blakep82
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:07 AM |
|
|
before even doing any of that, have you heard it run? do you know if theres much mechanical wear?
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
|
|
|
whitestu
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:09 AM |
|
|
I'd change the oil / filter and get it in and running to check it is all OK before doing anything else.
My first Zetec turned out to be knackered, so changing the cambels would have been wasted money.
Stu
|
|
|
big_wasa
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:09 AM |
|
|
Yep I wouldnt do much more than that as the bits cost more than a fresh engine.
I fully rebuit mine, You can now buy a new engine for less than I spent 
The timing belt wants to be the kit and not just the belt as the plastic pulleys can split.
edit
What car is it from ? Mondeo ? The waterpump aswell.
So I would just clean, detail it and service it.
Imho 
[Edited on 20/6/09 by big_wasa]
|
|
|
luke
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:21 AM |
|
|
I've not heard it run, neither had the guy who previously owned it. So I think your idea of fitting and seeing how it sounds is a good idea.
The timing belt looks in good condition but I'm always weary with timing belts when you don't know the history.
Its from an escort
|
|
|
Steve G
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:24 AM |
|
|
Another for advice as above - if you havent heard it running at all then give it a really good clean and get it in your car, plumb it up and get it
started. I wouldnt even fit the clutch to save needing to fit a spigot bearing which supports the gearbox input shaft in the end of the crank.
Assuming then there are then no unusual noises, I'd check all around the clean engine for any leaks and change the bits already mentioned plus
any leaky gaskets / seals identified. May be worth replacing the water pump when you do the cambelt / pulleys as these need removing to get the
waterpump out and its not hugely expensive (£35 or so i think).
|
|
|
blakep82
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 10:50 AM |
|
|
and once you've seen/heard it running, you'll know if it needs anything more invloved, like piston rings or any kind of bearings etc. i
got a 1998 ecotec with about 100,000 miles on it, had a mate strip it and rebuild it for me. he knows his stuff (east lothian council mechanic) so
left it up to him how far he went, so he took the head off, pistons out, new oils and water pumps, bearings, piston rings, re-faced the head and block
new gaskets, basically reconditioned 'as new' which is what i asked for too. about £350 in parts.
of course, i had all this done without hearing the engine run  so may not have needed it. the engine's standard just now, but i do plan to
tune it eventually, so wanted to be sure it was worth sticking with.
so for me having done it the wrong way  get it running first before even doing oil and filters, see how it sounds, and then decide
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
|
|
|
Mark Allanson
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 11:39 AM |
|
|
Core plugs are pennies to buy, easy to fit out of the car, bit a nightmare in the car (especially the rear one!)
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
|
|
|
D Beddows
|
| posted on 20/6/09 at 06:13 PM |
|
|
If you haven't heard it run and the bloke you bought it off hadn't either I'd be VERY tempted to take the sump and the head off to
make sure it stands any chance of doing! I bought an astonishingly clean low mileage zetec engine for a bargain price last year - took the cam cover
off and everything was lovely, same with the sump.....took the head off and half of one valve was missing and the related cylinder bore and piston
were completely trashed...... so before you get over excited and spend loads of cash......
|
|
|
