Rebuilding car engine?

[calamari]

For those of you who know about mechanics and stuff...

I am thinking about sending my car to get the engine rebuilt. it's a 95 Mitsubishi engine with 160k on it. As far as I know it has never been rebuilt, and there is actually nothing wrong with it. Runs great and all, but when it idles, sometimes it makes the noises of an old engine (some whirring here, some knocking over there).

So I called this shop who says rebuilds japanese engines and all. Me being ignorant about such issues, I would like to know what does it entails to rebuild an engine and if it really helps with all the noises. In other words, will my engine sound like new after rebuild?

thanks! 

[ajaxgs]

i would check the drive belt pullys and the timming belt tensioners for bad bearings (making the sounds)...as for the rebuild i would look into gettng a used engine .....maybe cheeper in the long run ...lots of used japanese parts places i know here in canada....

[calamari]

a used engine? you mean a regular engine but with less miles on it?  im confused.

After some research, I do know the main block of the engine stays, and most movable part inside are replaced (on a rebuild). So is this worse than a starndar engine with less mileage?

[cafeboy]

Buy one rebuilt. They have like a 3 year warranty.   but have it checked out by a tech you trust first to see if it's a cheap fix or not.

[ajaxgs]

+1 on cafe boy!!!! ......yes when they rebuild them they take them apart and and replace bearings rings ect whatever needs replacing along with associated gaskets .....if you get a used engine they are ether lower mileage or rebuilt by them in toronto where i am there is a place that imports used engines from japan because of emmision laws there they are only allowed to go a certain distance before reoplacing the engine as i have herd !!!! therefor these engines make great replacement engines for the north american market...hope this helps

[GeeP]

Check the timing belt and hydraulic lifters (if equipped).  As the timing belt and pulleys wear, the belt will "whirr".  Other possible whirring sounds include alternator bearings going bad, water pump bearings, sometimes even airbox noise from a clogged air filter.  The tapping sound you hear is likely valve lifters.  Only if it is a deep knocking or clunking sound should you worry, then it might be the main bearings.  You would see signs of main bearing failure in the oil.  I will look like dark black metallic paint.

You should have no problem running that engine another 160,000 if it has been reasonably well maintained and had regular oil changes.  Most automobile engines are good for about 300,000 to 500,000 miles if maintained.

[trumpetguy]

I would never rebuild an engine without a specific reason.  A good mechanic can tell you what the noises are.  You can also do a compression check and a leakdown compression check to see the condition of valves and rings.

I sold a 1990 Maxima four years ago with 287,000 miles on it.  Everything worked, and the valve covers had never been opened (I do all my own work).  GeeP is right -- a good Japanese engine should last a VERY long time.

A quality rebuild is EXPEN$IVE.  Buying a used low-mileage engine is often cheaper.  But don't do that without a reason either!

[werase643]

a 12 yo mitsumushi.....
160k....
if you touch the engine....
the tranny will crap out....
very soon to remind you that you spent way toooooo much $ on it already and you have to rebuild/replace the tranny also
then you have a 5000$ car worth 1500$
murphy's law

drive it til it blows and replace it with something else/better/different

I replaced a 97 civic with 160k with a 94 metro with 9710 miles
nothing wrong with the civic....but when was the last time ya saw a 94 metro with less than 10k?
i'm up to 34k yesterday

[yamahonkawazuki]

aye i had a gee-ho  ( only car i ever had where i could pull the engine WITHOUT a crane