1993 Q45 - Engine sounds like blending ball bearings

[ALL 4 1]

OK, so I've been fighting a losing battle to keep my !993 Q45 operational. Last week when I started it there was a "bang!" sound from the engine as it started, then it ran sounding like I'd put ball bearings in the disposal. Has not been driven in this state (other than pulling it into a service bay).

T3 Automotive in Atlanta does not think it's the timing chain guides (my first thought), in part because the engine will start and run, and in part because of how it sounds, and in part because it's a '93 (bought April '93). They do not want to get into it because they think the cost of repair would not be reasonable.

Instead, T3 has suggested a replacement engine from Pacific Engine Company in Chamblee, GA. Cost would be about $2500 installed by Pacific Engine, not including any parts they would want to replace that are not in the basic replacement work, such as motor mounts, drive belts, etc.

Pacific Engine installs used engines it imports from Japan, which it says typically have about 50k miles on them. They offer a 6 month/6000 mile parts & labor warranty.

BBB gives Pacific Engine an "F", mainly for not responding to two complaints (in 2010 and 2013). I can't find any other reviews about them.

Thoughts on what went wrong?

Thoughts on doing an engine replacement?

Any experience with Pacific Engine Company?

Thanks.

[qship96]

Unless you really,really love the car,and the rest of it is in excellent condition......time to move on to another car.Personally,I would not sink 3K into a 22 year old car with no street value.

[ALL 4 1]

Point taken, but I don't repair cars for "street value". I compare the repair cost to what it would cost me to get a similar car in similar condition. That's usually much more than what I could sell my car for.

That said, there are lots of other things I might fix on this car if I wanted it "right", some of which may be impractical or impossible.

But I am still curious about experiences with Pacific Engine Company and engine replacements generally.

[SanCarlosQ45]

Are you willing to do the work yourself? In reality its not as daunting as you might think without a lift. I replaced the engine and transmission in my 94' with a JDM engine from a company called foreign engine in Seattle. I paid $295 without all the accessories, but for you the shipping will be expensive. I would expect about a $1000 including parts, engine and a stand. You may want to think about going with a 94 or 95 engine which does require some connector changes but the benefits are worth it. I didn't do anything internal on the engine I got, I just cleaned the outside and painted the valve covers and intake. So far I've put ~5000 miles on it with no trouble except for the damn alternator bearings starting to make noise since I had to use the original for my car.





I wonder if a tensioner loosened up on the chain allowing it to jump one or two teeth. The engine will still run, but your going to have the valves hitting the top of the pistons causing a hell of a lot of noise. This may be unlikely but its the only thing I can think of. Where is the noise coming from? Is it coming from one or both heads?

[ALL 4 1]

Thanks for the suggestion on what to look for/listen for. I only ran the engine briefly before getting it towed to T3, where it still sits.

Doing an engine swap on my own is likely beyond what I could do. I might figure it out eventually, but I don't have the time or space in which to do it.

The Pacific Engine quote breaks down as:
Engine: $1100
Labor: $900
Parts: $250 (water pump, seals)
plus tax comes out to $2451.50. As mentioned, they'd charge for any other parts that needed to be replaced, but no additional labor.

This excludes a $100 "core charge" against the existing engine, which is refunded.

FYI, my '93 is also gray.

[Q451990]

I think a total engine swap is the way to go if you're going to keep the car, assuming you're dealing with a total loss on your current engine. How many miles are on it?

I'm a little curious why T3 isn't interested in the work... how much would they charge to do the swap? Are they pretty much out of the Q business now?

Heath

[ALL 4 1]

T3 could do the swap, but they said Pacific Engine could do it for at least $1000 less. (Maybe saying things like this to customers is part of why T3 has such a good reputations.)

Car has about 127k miles, and I am more than a bit disappointed at the engine going south. We also have a 1991 Plymouth Voyager, and, while slowing a bit, still runs like a top at about 205k miles. Who'd have thought a 1991 Chrysler product would out-last a same-era Infiniti?

[BCC93QT]

So many variables. Certain types of neglect as well. Maybe you don't beat it up enough.

[Q451990]

I'd be very disappointed as well! It's just barely broken in at that mileage... Did they have any theories on what's wrong with it? Very odd...

Heath

[silverQ]

pop may have been when guide let go and tensioner went to full extension
metallic sound is probably chain whipping around in cover, chain links hitting surrounding metal
driver side is more horizontal will drag on oil pump housing
would pop off the timing cover and inspect
get new timing set is $100-200 on ebay
after repair do compression test
just my theory anyway
http://www.q45.org/guidereplacement.html
does your plymouth have the 3.0l mitsubishi 6G72 motor
car will rust to nothing before the motor dies, our dodge did