My 99 SE is starting to burn a little oil, & I'm after a bit of advice on what I can expect to encounter when it's been dismantled, if I decide to go down that track. The car's got 212k Kim's on it. I bought it about 4 years, when it had 160k klms on the clock. I've fixed a few oil leaks on it, including the main engine seal, which was done around 6 months ago, when I had the transmission out for an overhaul. It's been burning oil, noticeably, for the last 3-4 months, & it's using around 1 litre every 2k Klms, which isn't too bad, but I'd like to fix it soon, before it gets worse.
So my questions are; Can I get away with just a top end rebuild? I know it's hard to tell what shape the bottom end's in, until you're well into the dismantling process. But I was wondering if others that've been down this route before had to do the bottom end too? & any other difficulties encountered would be good to hear about too. I realise that costs vary wildly from country to country. & with the poor shape of the Oz dollar right now, I know this won't be cheap. But I'd still like to contain the costs as much as possible, without compromising quality of course. So any advice on sourcing parts etc will also be appreciated.
Lastly, how happy are the people here who've rebuilt a V6 with their refreshed motor? Is it as good as a new motor? Or were there other issues? I know a lot of modern motors don't rebuild that well, while others can be rebuilt many times without problems. & I'm wondering which category the 3.0 V6 falls into.

 

I think I'd be looking around for a low miles engine.
Heres one w/6mos warranty and free shipping..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-for-0...4dc7a4&vxp=mtr

Click on this too... theres one with 1yr and another with a 5yr warranty..

https://www.google.com/search?q=2001...utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

Those engines are in America! I'd spend more than what they're asking getting them into the country. & that's for an unknown 2nd hand unit. No thanks! I want to make the motor I have as good as new, if that's possible. I'm not interested in playing swapsies!

 

It's odd. We're not seeing this as a problem. Any idea why yours is apparently unique? Could it not be simply an oil leak?

 

I didn't notice you're in Australia but here you can buy an 01 S-Type for around $3000 thats less than a new motor I think.

 

I believe there is only one former forum member who has rebuilt a 3.0 here IIRC. You might want search the "X Type" board. I cannot remember the thread, but I also recall the member spending alot of money on parts.

Your question about top end/bottom end, I believe that you would need to do a compression check to see if the rings would need to be replaced as well. I sure would hate to take the time and money to do only half the job.

 

I would be surprised that at 132K miles the engine is burning that much oil?

It's not reported much if at all and we have a number of people with even more miles than that on the forum with no oil burning.

Maybe search for a leak instead like suggested above?
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I can report 122k with no oil usage / burning..

 

I'm quite used to the vehicle's oil leaks. I've fixed enough of them. If it was leaking this amount of oil there'd be a lake of the stuff under my car. The only other way it could be using this amount of oil is by burning it in the combustion chambers. I do plan on a compression check, before embarking on any work. But I'm just interested to learn of any problems that members who've trod this path before have encountered. & I have to say that the fact that it looks like I'm one of the first to tread this track has me worried.
I don't really care what a motor, or an entire car, will cost me in the U.S. It's totally irrelevant to my position. I could by an old banger here for $3k. So what? It's still going to need a ship load of cash spent on it to get it roadworthy! My car is roadworthy! I've rebuilt the suspension, with OEM parts. Overhauled the transmission. & the body & interior are in excellent condition. With a new motor, it'll be as good as the day it rolled off the line in Browns Ln. & that's my objective. To own a survivor car. I'd just like to do it as cost effective as possible.

 

Looks like you're the first, then.

I haven't heard of anyone on the UK forum, either.

 

Have you downloaded the engine repair manual from the download section?

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...ining%20Guides