Hi everyone,

I need some advise on what to do with my TJ and from what I can see most of you guys have much, much better knowledge about the issues than me.

My TJ has done 200k with major oil leak from the front crankshaft seal and the engine has been blowing smoke for a year now, even when using thicker oil 25W-60 + stop smoke additives. The time has come to either to get the engine reconditioned and cam/crankshaft, rear main seals replaced and I am looking at $1500-$2500.

The other option is to get a second hand engine from the wreckers for less than 1k with lower milage and hopefully better condition. But on the other side I could get a worse engine?

I don't have a lot of money so another engine is a better option when looking from the budget side, but I would be willing to spend the money if the rebuild is a "much,much" better option considering that I do <10,000 kms a year.

So I would really appreciate any advise given and your input would help me make a wiser decision.

Thanks....

mate, engine swap is your better option, you can pick them up for 500 with relativily low Ks
only prob is paying some one to install it, if your not sure.how

Whereabouts in NSW are you. If West of Sydney, I can put you in touch with a mechanic who will quote you both the options with the advantages and disadvantages for each.

Hi everyone,

I need some advise on what to do with my TJ and from what I can see most of you guys have much, much better knowledge about the issues than me.

My TJ has done 200k with major oil leak from the front crankshaft seal and the engine has been blowing smoke for a year now, even when using thicker oil 25W-60 + stop smoke additives. The time has come to either to get the engine reconditioned and cam/crankshaft, rear main seals replaced and I am looking at $1500-$2500.

The other option is to get a second hand engine from the wreckers for less than 1k with lower milage and hopefully better condition. But on the other side I could get a worse engine?

I don't have a lot of money so another engine is a better option when looking from the budget side, but I would be willing to spend the money if the rebuild is a "much,much" better option considering that I do <10,000 kms a year.

So I would really appreciate any advise given and your input would help me make a wiser decision.

Thanks....
Heres the deal...

Repair: $1500-2500
Engine with under 150,000kms - $1000-1500 fitted.

Search "6g75" on ebay, there is a company that supplys them, most are around the 120,000km mark and they come with warrenty, cost is approx $650, they also give you a discount if you return your old engine to them. If there are none, just wait a bit.. they pop up all the time.

I am in Smithfield.....

Just spoke to a guy in Yennora and he reckons that he'll supply and install a 03-04 TL engine into my magna without problems for a $1000.

Are the TL engines a bit different to TJ? He reckons there are no issue installing TL engine into TJ.

I am in Smithfield.....

Just spoke to a guy in Yennora and he reckons that he'll supply and install a 03-04 TL engine into my magna without problems for a $1000.

Are the TL engines a bit different to TJ? He reckons there are no issue installing TL engine into TJ.
No they aren't, they are a 6g74 3.5L V6. Engines are the same from the TH 3.5 to the TW

No they aren't, they are a 6g74 3.5L V6. Engines are the same from the TH 3.5 to the TW

Mine is a 3.5 as well! Sorry I should have specified that.....I just realised that there are 3.0 TJs.

Heres the deal...

Repair: $1500-2500
Engine with under 150,000kms - $1000-1500 fitted.

Search "6g75" on ebay, there is a company that supplys them, most are around the 120,000km mark and they come with warrenty, cost is approx $650, they also give you a discount if you return your old engine to them. If there are none, just wait a bit.. they pop up all the time.

that quote for 1500 is a bit much,
and im assuming he isnt the best tec minded, to install the first ever 380 engine conversion.
i would just go with a Tj engine replacement.
oh to the OP dont forget to get a blueslip, with the conversion, as the engine number wont match the vin.
some mechanics can do it (rta adjustment of records)

i been qouted 500 for a tw engine with 40,000 on the clock

I am in Smithfield.....

Just spoke to a guy in Yennora and he reckons that he'll supply and install a 03-04 TL engine into my magna without problems for a $1000.

Are the TL engines a bit different to TJ? He reckons there are no issue installing TL engine into TJ.

That's a pretty solid price. Hard to argue with. Do you know the guy's work?

That's a pretty solid price. Hard to argue with. Do you know the guy's work?

My cousin recommended him as he was happy with the 2 engine swaps he did for him (i.e 2 different cars).
I still have to go talk to the guy and see the engine as I am not likely going to give him $1000 without some reassurance or seeing the work he does..

I am going tommorow to see him and hopefully will have a leak/smoke free magna next week. I am freaking tired of washing down the driveway...well now its more like the scrubbing stage.

Another interesting place I found yesterday, they have 12 engines in stock and all $400 (not sure about milage) but they do not install the motors and I have to pay the delivery and install to someone else, which I doubt will be less than $600.

that quote for 1500 is a bit much,
and im assuming he isnt the best tec minded, to install the first ever 380 engine conversion.
i would just go with a Tj engine replacement.
oh to the OP dont forget to get a blueslip, with the conversion, as the engine number wont match the vin.
some mechanics can do it (rta adjustment of records)

My bad, I ment to type 6g74 :P

My bad, I ment to type 6g74 :P

Actually there have been several race 6G75 conversions. Run very well too.

My cousin recommended him as he was happy with the 2 engine swaps he did for him (i.e 2 different cars).
I still have to go talk to the guy and see the engine as I am not likely going to give him $1000 without some reassurance or seeing the work he does..

I am going tommorow to see him and hopefully will have a leak/smoke free magna next week. I am freaking tired of washing down the driveway...well now its more like the scrubbing stage.

Another interesting place I found yesterday, they have 12 engines in stock and all $400 (not sure about milage) but they do not install the motors and I have to pay the delivery and install to someone else, which I doubt will be less than $600.


mechanically minded?? do it yourself. albeit more difficult in a FWD. As a first year engine fitter I was expected to do 2 complete engines per day. don't have an engine crane? no problems... get a chain, couple of head bolts or similar, and "borrow" a stop sign and a 2 mates. they go in easy. d/l yourself some instructions and you'll be fairly right, provided you mark everything changing an engine is 1million times easier than fixing anything!!!!

that $1k price is good as stated, especially if you've seen his work before. for future reference for others though, wring a Jap specialist wreckers, or grab your trading post. pretty likely to find 2nd hand tested engines with about 6 months warranty for the $4-500 mark. Hell in this weeks Vic one there's engines fitted at your place for ridiculous prices!!!

Or alternatively... get your car serviced at a Motafit service place, and chat to the mickey's and offer 'em weekend cash. They'll fit em for a couple hunj.

Thanks to evryone who contributed to my dillema....I have gone ahead with the engine swap. Saw the guys today and he'll do it tommorow with 3 months warranty. I was pretty happy with what I saw....

Thanks again for your help!!!

let us know how it goes...

I picked up the car yesterday morning and so far I am very happy. (I better not say it too many times, before I jinx the engine:nuts: )

The engine on the out side look a bit dirty from bird $hit and dust but could not see any oil leaks but from what I can see from the oil cap, inside is very clean and no sludge at all. I was going to wash the engine down but I read on the invoice something along the lines that "the engine has a heat seal and if removed-- warranty is void". Does anyone know what this heat seal thing is and if washing the engine is going to remove that seal.

One thing I've noticed is that its running a lot smoother and responsive,the engine sounds a little different, otherwise no difference to the old....time will tell..

I picked up the car yesterday morning and so far I am very happy. (I better not say it too many times, before I jinx the engine:nuts: )

The engine on the out side look a bit dirty from bird $hit and dust but could not see any oil leaks but from what I can see from the oil cap, inside is very clean and no sludge at all. I was going to wash the engine down but I read on the invoice something along the lines that "the engine has a heat seal and if removed-- warranty is void". Does anyone know what this heat seal thing is and if washing the engine is going to remove that seal.

One thing I've noticed is that its running a lot smoother and responsive,the engine sounds a little different, otherwise no difference to the old....time will tell..

Most likely a little dot of material that changes colour if the engine reaches higher than normal temps, this is how they can tell if the engine has been run without oil\water and you try and get a warranty replacement etc. usually placed on the heads, not sure if washing the engine will remove it. Ask them, or wait till the warranty expires.

If you don't mind me asking - How much did it come to?

surely cleaning the engine bay wont void any warranty

surely cleaning the engine bay wont void any warranty

I'm sure if he is worried a professional detailer should be able to do it for him.

If you don't mind me asking - How much did it come to?

It was $1000 supplied and installed from a TW magna with 90 days warranty....the only thing is now I have to pay for blue slip and other costs associated with paperwork.

It was $1000 supplied and installed from a TW magna with 90 days warranty....the only thing is now I have to pay for blue slip and other costs associated with paperwork.

Not bad, how many KM's?

Not bad, how many KM's?

He said something like 50-60,000kms out of a written off car but this cannot be proven so I'll just have to take his word for it.

It seems like no wreckers keep the exact details....not sure why? Most of them I spoke to are reluctant to tell you or don't know..maybe they are high kms engines so it is better for them to say that they don't know.

Ya, if/when I'm to do it, it will be requiring log books...

Ya, if/when I'm to do it, it will be requiring log books...

I've asked few of them if they have log books and not one could provide that. But surely there has to be somewhere a more reputable wrecker.

for my wagon i'm gonna be looking for a new engine soon (it has 250000+ kms) but luckely my uncle is a tow truck driver so will get him to keep an eye out for me seeings tho he works with a few wreckers :)

I've asked few of them if they have log books and not one could provide that. But surely there has to be somewhere a more reputable wrecker.

If you buy one from a wreckers then that's the chance you take that it may well be a high km engine....there are plenty of reliable engine reconditioners etc who give warranties etc ie 100,000km

http://www.enginesdirect.com.au/4.html

Ya, if/when I'm to do it, it will be requiring log books...

Yeah GL with that every single sydney wrecker i rang, only 3 did compression tests before it was removed from the car and only 1 had the exact km on it.

Yeah GL with that every single sydney wrecker i rang, only 3 did compression tests before it was removed from the car and only 1 had the exact km on it.

Hmm, complete writeoff may be the way to go then...