My 93 2.6L has just done 220,000kms. I took it in for a tune cause the check engine light came on and it was leaking oil, they (ultratune) told me
*knock sensor code in computer and knock sensor appears to be leaking
*fuel filter blocked
*oil leak from rear main oil seal, timing cover oil seal, rocker cover gasket and "D" rubbers
*engine has alot of "blow by" due to engine wear.

They said not to bother fixing it, just get a new engine. Is this true, do I need a new engine? If so, what do I get? I don't mind spending a couple of grand if I have to. I'm after reliability more than outright performance.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

My 93 2.6L has just done 220,000kms. I took it in for a tune cause the check engine light came on and it was leaking oil, they (ultratune) told me
*knock sensor code in computer and knock sensor appears to be leaking
*fuel filter blocked
*oil leak from rear main oil seal, timing cover oil seal, rocker cover gasket and "D" rubbers
*engine has alot of "blow by" due to engine wear.

They said not to bother fixing it, just get a new engine. Is this true, do I need a new engine? If so, what do I get? I don't mind spending a couple of grand if I have to. I'm after reliability more than outright performance.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Fuel filter blocked? Get a new one.
Rubbers, gaskets arent that expensive to get replaced, do that.
Not sure about the knock sensor myself.

Sounds like they just dont want to do any work. I'm not 100 % sure on the going rate of a new 2.6 motor, or a reconditioning

Yeah that sounds pretty easy, but I though why would they tell me that? Of course I would just replace those things, but they said don't bother, they didn't seem too busy, so why would they knock back a few quick dollars.
The guy told me this is quite common for magna engines, after 200,000kms, their life is over

Oh and he also said there was nothing I could do abouy the oil leak, replacing the seals, rubbers etc won't do anything. He said the engine is worn and that's it, nothing he can do!

[The guy told me this is quite common for magna engines, after 200,000kms, their life is over]

Load of bull. my 91 TR has almost clocked up 300,000 and its still going strong...

That's what I thought, look at the shitbox datsuns etc getting around, surely a magna should last a long time if they can. But what can I do about engine wear?

hmmm well not much to my knowledge. I guess that would be a plus to a new engine. If i had the chance (and the money!) id replace my old 2.6 4cyl with a straight 6.

but, id way up the costs....cost of fixing the fore mentioned problems and the cost of a new engine. may work out that u can do the repairs see how they go, and still get a new engine.

Straight 6!?

blow by would mean the compression rings are gone?

Knock sensor code in computer would mean its broken (or disconnected), and a leaking knock sensor im guessing mean its the source of an oil leak, replace it.

Hows the performance (to you?) replacing the fuel filter (if your in melb ill do it :D) will help alot. How much oils it going through? Oil leaks arent much of an issue unless they are leaking a LOT! Is it using any water?

Ive heard that 300,000 is about the life for a magna (well a 2.6) and then they'll just need a recondition

As for the 200,000 limit? theres alot of pre 1993 magnas out there and youll be stretched to find anything UNDER 200,000ks... some of us are lucky :D

If you want, get it rebuilt, cant run you more than say $1,000.

As for a stright 6, thats one WIDE car, better off trying to whack a V6 from a TR-TE, prolly the only thing u can whack in.

about your only option for an engine would be a replacement 2.6. i think the straight six comment was just an uninformed mistake. we aint talking falcons here! you could look at a v6 transplant but from what ive heard its a little more involved than just dropping it in and driving away. my only opinion on the mechanics would be that its like an insurance assesor. if your car aint worth as much as it costs to get fixed they write it off. if your current engine needs so and so much work and its gonna cost this much, then if a new or rebuilt engine costs the same or less why wouldnt you go the better option. he was probably saying thats the easier and more economical option. madmagna would definately be the guy to ask here though. when it comes to tr/ts that dude knows everything! :D and he should be able to give some quotes as well.

I started reading but quickly got bored...:)

First of all a knock sensor does not leak oil!

I just did a job here recently which involved new rocker cover gasket and bolt seals, new valve stem seals, new lash adjusters, new timing chain set, new clutch, new rear main seal, new welch plugs, new front seal, new heater hoses, and 2 engine mounts, parts were just under $1000.00 plus my labour. Result the car feels like a totally different car to drive.

What state are you in? Is not that much involved once the engine is out, not a hard job anyway.

I have a 91 TR 2.6 5speed manual - they are essentially the same between the TS/TR. I can't help you with the question 'Do I need a new engine', however I replaced mine at 269,350. I have the bill sitting infront of me. If you're interested in getting it done you could probably get a better price than all of this. I didn't bother shopping around, I was just happy that my trusty mechanic would do it - being a big job I wanted someone that I trusted doing it. My mechanic is not the cheapest around at all, the labour is around $60/hr.

Anyway here's the run down on what it cost for me, and all the parts included (note that I lowered it at the same time, replaced the clutch and reco'd the gearbox all at once);

New Genuine Mitsubishi Engine 4cyl 2.6L SOHC - $2,268.75
Run In Oil (4L) - $18.80
Oil Filter - $9.25
Water Pump - $115.00
Service/Flush the Radiator - $85.00
Bosch V-Belt - $10.04
Bosch Micro V-Belt - $18.25
Fan Belt Bosch - $8.80
Stant Thermostat - $13.80
Thermostat HSC Gasket - $2.28
Hose Kit - $88.00
Hose Clamp x 6 - $12.90
Manifold Gasket - $19.41
New Harmonic Balancer - $295.00
Recondition Gearbox - $731.50
Freight on Gearbox - $20.00
Gearbox Oil 3L - $26.70
Clutch Kit Mitsubishi Magna - $240.00
Reconditioned Starter Motor - $185.00
King Spring Set - $110.00
King Spring Kit - $110.00
Wheel Alignment - $36.00
Labour for engine installation etc - $600.00
Labour for suspension modifications - $150.00

Total Bill $5,174.48

Hope that helps somewhat.

Cheers,
Adam

ive got tr magna which has over 200,000kms on the clock and its still going very strong.
i had a look into the engine swap not so long ago coz i wanted a bit more power but it ends up costing way too much. the engine is not an exact swap for the v6 which means that your going to need an engineers certificate and the price quicly goes up from there.
if i were u id take your car to a mitsubishi service centre and ask them whats wrong with it. Then if u want find another mechanic who you trust wholl do the repairs for cheaper.

Thanx for all your help. I'm going to take to another mechanic, who I've heard is good.
The engine seems fine, my real concern was the engine light coming on. I'll get all the problems mentioned fixed, and let you know how I go.

for all that money spent you could have got urself an evo front cut, and being able to drive a t/bcharged car with manual!


add a few more grand though

about 200 bux for a 2.6l Magna Knock sensor i had mine replaced last year :(

for all that money spent you could have got urself an evo front cut, and being able to drive a t/bcharged car with manual!


add a few more grand though

Whats the use of an evo front cut on a TR!?

I wasn't going to reply but I agree... what is the use of an evo front cut in a heavy beast like a TR?

Yeah spent a lot of $$... however it's several more thousand in ECU swaps and engineer's certs to do much more. It's reliable, it'll get me thru uni til I can go buy myself a nice european car. I'm happy :)

Cheers,
Adam