To rebuild or not to rebuild?

[whatarehughlike]

Gents (and ladies if there are any reading)

I purchased a 1992 Lotus Esprit SE before Christmas with the view if returning it to a satisfactory condition. It has done 80000 miles and today I managed to remove the engine (despite my very limited mechanical knowledge). Initially I was going to give it a service but I have read on a number of websites that around this time you should expect to overhaul the engine. With this in mind I thought I might as well get it done now. I'm wondering two things; firstly what kind of cost am I looking at and secondly can anyone recommend anywhere to go get it done? I do live in Essex so the nearer the better although I am willing to travel for a good job.

Your help would be appreciated

Thanks

[andydclements]

If you're happy to, then I'd suggest handing it over to Sparky who is in Watford.

If you want to do it yourself it's not a complex engine, it doesn't need many specialist tools (beyond torque wrench level of standard tool). The parts are readily available.

To do a rebuild you could be looking at as little as a set of rings, gaskets, shell bearings 9mains & big ends) and a bit of work. Then it could end up at new water pump, crank re-grid etc. If that doesn't scare you silly then I'd say go for it yourself. You're not so far away as to be out of reach of help, and if you stripped it, found a lot you could still ask Sparky & Wookie to take over.

Andy

[910Esprit]

Make sure you price up the components before you embark on a full rebuild. Generally, all engine parts are expensive. If it aint broke, don't fix it. Is its oil pressure & compression within spec?

[robdaniel]

personly i would leave the engine well alone. if it aint broke dont fix it! change the belts/tensioner check water pump and any other jobs which might need doing and bang it back together i bought a se last summer and enjoyed it whenever we got any good weather.however after running it for several months decided to take it off the road over winter to do some work. mines done 75000 miles never even gave it a thougt to strip engine while i had it out. you could end up spending thousands. while you got engine out its well worth checking both fuel tanks for rust

[lotus4s]

At 80,000 miles the engine has to be pretty tired unless it's been babied all it's life which is highly unlikely. At the very least I would pull the pan and check the bearings.

It would have been nice to do a compression check and leak down test before you pulled it just to see where it's at now.

Personally I would have no problem with tearing it down now and replacing rings, bearings, gaskets and seals. I'd also have the head checked and reworked if needed. I'm doing one now and have about $1500 US in the parts including belts and hoses.

Edited March 24, 2010 by lotus4s

[sanj]

He can still do a leakdown test, in fact it will be a lot easier now that the engine is out.