I don't think I have ever posted here, and no i have no idea about cars. All I know is i blew up the engine on my 2005 Mazda Tribute today and I need to replace it. Dealership said $6k and I said go fuck yourself. I have been talking to my roommate and other people that said I can find an engine used or rebuilt for like $800-$1K and have a local mechanic install it, just curious on your thoughts as far as what I should do.

any recommendations on where I can find a used engine would be greatly appreciated

[Edited on August 1, 2008 at 8:40 PM. Reason : a]

8/1/2008 8:39:13 PM

Jesus god! How did this happen?

8/1/2008 8:47:09 PM

well, they said it could have been 2 things.

since I just got my oil changed a month and a half ago, they said that the place that did the oil change could have just neglected to refill it after they drained out the old oil.

or, massive oil leak. which isn't likely considering i have no spots in my driveway.

[Edited on August 1, 2008 at 9:15 PM. Reason : a]

8/1/2008 9:14:09 PM

hmm, any chance of suing the place that did the oil change?

sounds like slowblack got a hold of it

edit: for more useful info: yes, you can find an engine for around a grand and have it installed for I'd guess roughly the same or less. had you not been laid off today i would have suggested at least looking into selling the car as is and buying something else--depending on your loan situation on that (aka hopefully you don't have one)

but yeah..it is what it is. expect at least $2K to have it fixed by someone else

[Edited on August 1, 2008 at 9:21 PM. Reason : adf]

8/1/2008 9:20:04 PM

well that's the thing, the mechanic that does my oil changes is a friend of a friend, so the lawsuit is out. most likely i will use him to install the engine, because I can use the whole guilt trip that it may or may not have been one of his people that fucked my shit up.

and I am $4k upside down on my loan, so getting into something new isn't really an option.

PS. if you are considering buying a Tribute, DON'T!!

8/1/2008 9:26:26 PM

^the engine popping after a month and a half of oil starvation is hardly a reason to not buy a car.

8/1/2008 11:12:08 PM

^probably not the reason he has for telling people not to buy one.

8/2/2008 12:43:29 AM

For what they are they're not half bad.

8/2/2008 1:45:35 AM

mazda tribute=ford escape=mercury mariner

i had an escape rental for a couple of weeks one time, i kinda liked it. took a lot of abuse too, went across the entire mojave trail and all around the ohv areas of anza-borrego/ocotillo wells in california.

8/2/2008 2:26:40 AM

I didn't mean not to buy it because of the engine problems, i meant not to buy one because of how quickly they lose value. I have had it 3 years and I am $4k upside down. I know the engine blowing up had nothing to do with the quality of the car.

but you are right, it is a great car for what it is. i bought it to use as a sales vehicle and it has been awesome. plenty of room, and excellent gas mileage.

Now, on to my next question. do you think it would be a stretch to think that I could find a used engine and have it put in for $2k? I have been able to come up with $2k, now I just need to find someone that will do it for that.

8/2/2008 10:26:00 AM

$950 stock # 7B3382 bob's auto salvage in jacksonville 1-800-423-2670

33k. good condition.

if the engine is still there, you should be able to use the rest for install (the friend of a friend for labor of course).

[Edited on August 2, 2008 at 10:43 AM. Reason : s]

8/2/2008 10:42:18 AM

^ nice, thanks dude. I'll pass that along to my mechanic and see what he can do with it. he pretty much owes me now that there is a good chance he is the one that fucked it up in the first place

8/2/2008 10:48:46 AM

GSO 4 lyfe.

8/2/2008 10:52:30 AM

just talked to my mechanic, he said he could put it in for around $600. looks like I'll be driving to J-Ville on Monday to pick up an engine.

8/2/2008 11:18:35 AM

Sucks Eric, good luck with the engine replacement.

8/2/2008 11:22:01 AM

how is it possible to drive a car with no oil in the engine for a month and a half?

8/2/2008 11:24:11 AM

damn dude, rock bottom yet?

bad news after bad news!

8/2/2008 11:32:40 AM

^^ and on top of that, the oil light never came on.

nah man, no rock bottom here. just another situation that will open more doors. But I am owed some serious good karma. Let's just say I am looking forward to my 30s

8/2/2008 11:38:22 AM

hahahah, no doubt man

8/2/2008 11:42:05 AM

that install better be $free. that and i'd make him get the engine on his own dime.

8/2/2008 11:43:55 AM

i am working on the engine delivery part, i am going to try to get him to send one of his people to get it. as for the free install, there is no way I can really prove that he fucked it up so i will take what i can get at this point.

8/2/2008 11:56:08 AM

Quote :

"how is it possible to drive a car with no oil in the engine for a month and a half?"

im thinking the same thing.

you cant go 1.5 months on no oil.

unless there wasnt enough to begin with.

you can also have oil leaks without noticing anything on the driveway.

but on an '05, thats hard to believe. even if the oil light did come on, its too late.

8/2/2008 11:56:34 AM

http://www.car-part.com

8/2/2008 4:08:53 PM

Quote :

"I have had it 3 years and I am $4k upside down."

thats nothing dude. my buddy just bought an mint '05 LR3 with 29k- paid $16k for it.

8/2/2008 6:11:08 PM

I, too, am a garage noob...

I drive an 02 Camry, manual, with ~150K

The other day (like, literally, three days ago) my car started to act a little strange.

When I put it into gear, the RPM's rev up, but the car doesnt really accelerate very well... Kind of like the clutch isn't fully releasing or something.

Anybody know what might be up?

8/5/2008 1:58:34 PM

Worn out clutch disk/pressure plate

Replace disk, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and you should be gtg.

You might need to get the flywheel machined or a get a new one (if it can't be resurfaced)


[Edited on August 5, 2008 at 2:19 PM. Reason : .]

8/5/2008 2:16:02 PM

Thanks a lot, man

Any idea what that would run me?

8/5/2008 2:21:05 PM

a few hundred

8/5/2008 2:44:53 PM

(in parts)

8/5/2008 2:46:24 PM

Word. Thanks.

8/5/2008 2:56:44 PM

Quote :

"Kind of like the clutch isn't fully releasing or something."

looks like you answered the question yourself. following by a burning smell i presume?


I assumed v6, advance auto has the clutch set at just over 200 bones. Someone above mentioned getting your flywheel resurfaced. On top of that I would figure at least a few hundred in labor.

[Edited on August 5, 2008 at 6:48 PM. Reason : ....]

8/5/2008 6:45:56 PM

I have smelled a burning odor, yes.

It's actually just a 4 banger, but I imagine it'll run me about the same. Oh well.

8/5/2008 8:13:10 PM

yea if you're smelling it that's almost def what it is

8/5/2008 8:19:11 PM

Quote :

"you cant go 1.5 months on no oil. "

Here's how long a VW can go with no oil:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffO--SrYIE4

[Edited on August 5, 2008 at 8:29 PM. Reason : 3 minutes]

8/5/2008 8:28:20 PM

Update: Found a 2007 Ford Escape engine with 24K miles for $1400. That includes shipping and a 1 year warranty.

If you know anyone looking for a used engine or other used parts, tell them to go to this site:
http://www.searchparts.com

The dude took down my info and went to fucking work. Called me back in like 30 minutes with like 6 options. Shipping is free, and it will be here in 3-5 business days.

8/6/2008 3:00:44 PM

all their shit is crazy overpriced.

a door lock solenoid for a honda accord is $100 at the dealer, $100 on their site USED.

8/6/2008 3:31:09 PM

you gotta call and talk to someone. the first engine he tried to sell me was $2300, then when I told him my price range MIRACULOUSLY he found one in my price range

8/6/2008 7:41:42 PM

Engine: 2007 Ford Escape with 24k miles = $1400
Additional parts / labor: $900
Total Cost: $2300

Not bad when the first estimate was $6k.

What I learned: Check my fucking oil religiously, even after oil changes.

The End

8/20/2008 5:40:00 PM

so that one i posted wasn't available?

$1400 for the engine seems like a lot.

8/21/2008 2:10:27 AM

^ nah, it was gone almost immediately. I called around for 2 days looking for them and the best one I could find was the $1400 one I got, and that had to be shipped from KY.

8/21/2008 6:57:33 AM