She's dead....[paranoid.RIP]

[paranoidjack]

On the highway, just put new OEM rotors and pads on, new tires, 4.5k in 2nd gear and POOF engine blown, oil all over under and back of car, seems to be a hole in the block on the passenger side.

Anyone got a motor???

[Ozzie]

I hate it when stuff like that happens.

[paranoidjack]

...found one 100 miles away, 85k and $600. Gonna scoop that up and bring her back to life.

[Lokim]

[paranoidjack]

OK - well this engine might be the ticket. I've never pulled a motor on a v8 - can this be done in the driveway without a lift? I see in the FSM step 1 is remove the transmission. This transmission is a big beotch. I have a friend that owns a shop with a lift, but it will be $100 to tow it there, and plus I'd rather not try to take advantage of him. I'd prefer to do it in the driveway.

Am I the first blown fgy33 engine on here? That's so messed up. Mobil 1 Synt every 5k since 72k when I bought it. Valve cover job showed clean internals. Knock sensors done. I had bad o2 sensors for a while and it didn't run too well for some time, may have caused it. Also bad cats, that hurt.

Sigh. Not happy about this - just divorced a month ago and down to one car. Er, zero cars. I'm gonna grab this engine and do this quick, try to get it done in a week. I'll post some pics when I get the motor out.

[qship96]

Sad to hear it, looks like the car is immaculate- how many miles on the engine that blew? I would perform an autopsy to try to determine failure mode in the name of Q science.

[YELLOW S13]

Please tell me this is unheard of for q's. (other than timing chain issues) Im so sorry man you seemed to really take care of the car...

[paranoidjack]

First blown VH41 I've heard of. Grrrrreat!

Thanks guys. It totally sucks, no lies.

[BCC93QT]

Never done a v8 swap without a lift. Took me close to a month to finish my VH swap. But that involved the overhaul and various other engine related things. Plus it wasn't an every day progress. I spend some time on the cape West Barnstable area. As a matter of fact i will be down that way next month around this time if you want some help

[paranoidjack]

Thanks for the offer - but I need to resolve this in the next week. You know - it doesn't even say in the FSM - the engine comes up or down?! I remember my prelude said it had to be from under, but we very easily took it out the top.

[BCC93QT]

Jack, enable PM's. Im in western MA. theres a 1997 4.1 ($650) 35 miles from me. Also a totalled (TBONED) 2002 F50 54k miles ($850) 45 miles away...

[Q451990]

First VH41 failure I've heard of as well. I wonder if your bad O2 sensors melted your precats and caused debris to get into the engine? I've heard of that happening before...

Either way it sucks, and I hope to read your "got it back up and running" thread soon!

You should take lots of pictures and put together an article on the swap...

Heath

[maxnix]

You will be way ahead to get a lift and drop transmission and engine as a unit.

Can't believe the engine let go!

[Lokim]

Mine has over 200K now and was NOT ideally maintained by the 2nd owner (I'm the 3rd, I think). Now you've got me TERRIFIED!

I'm so sad for your baby, but hopefully she'll be cooperative with you for the engine swap and she gives you many more miles of pleasure...

[paranoidjack]

Brian and CO:

I was offered by a friend to use his garage. However, he requires having one of his guys onsite there as well (not a private garage). Anyway, this will cost me (between having to do it on the weekends, when I work, AND paying this guy) $450-500 all said and done.

VERSUS doing it in the driveway. I am not scared to pull an engine in the driveway. However, I need to make sure first it CAN BE DONE...can I pull engine and transmission together?

Brian - you say drop engine and transmission as a whole, I like that idea, BUT why does the FSM say first step in removing motor is to remove the transmission?

[paranoidjack]

I should add that by "garage" I mean a municipal garage with 8 lifts and every tool in the world.

[maxnix]

Brian and CO:

I was offered by a friend to use his garage. However, he requires having one of his guys onsite there as well (not a private garage). Anyway, this will cost me (between having to do it on the weekends, when I work, AND paying this guy) $450-500 all said and done.

VERSUS doing it in the driveway. I am not scared to pull an engine in the driveway. However, I need to make sure first it CAN BE DONE...can I pull engine and transmission together?

Brian - you say drop engine and transmission as a whole, I like that idea, BUT why does the FSM say first step in removing motor is to remove the transmission?

That'a a steal of a deal.

Disconnect all accessories and systems first. You can tie up AC compressor. Remove exhaust (you will need new coupling gaskets), mark and remove drive shaft. Drop engine and transmission. Rehabilitate engine and unite with transmission. Reverse procedure with new motor mounts.

[Lokim]

Not to sound insensitive, but can we have pics of the carnage? Especially after you pull the motor. I'd like to see what a thrown rod looks like through the aluminum block...

[BCC93QT]

Honestly the VH45 was a fairly easy but time consuming drop despite everyone else's opinions. I imagine the 4.1 isn't any harder if as hard. The only thing that would stop you from dropping it in one unit is possible how the transmission is mounted. It SHOULD come out as one whole... But then again first hand i have never even worked on a Y33

[maxnix]

VH45DE and VH41DE use almost the same transmission (slightly different internally) with same attachment method.

[paranoidjack]

Thanks for input guys.

I've already bought the motor - delivering tomorrow. VH41 out of a 2000 Q - just like mine - with 85k on it....

I'll post up pics. I'm going to be doing this in the driveway, that mechanic isn't available for 3 weeks.

VH45 - naw, not worth it to me. I need to get this running IMMEDIATELY, 30 hp isn't worth it with the headaches that will surface trying to get it in (and you all know there would be some issues).

So, driveway, here we come. Engine coming tomorrow.

[OwnerCS]

Good Luck Jack! If you were closer I'd lend you my engine hoist.

Take some pictures or make one of your cool videos to teach the rest of us mere mortals how to make it happen..

[Lokim]

Good luck, buddy!

[maxnix]

You're going to drop it in your driveway? Good luck. Pulling it out is very difficult.

Be sure to renew the foam surrounds around the radiator.

[Q451990]

Good luck!

Heath

[paranoidjack]

Pulling it out is very difficult.

^^That's what she said Sorry I had to.

Got the call from my buddy at the shop, the engine just got dropped there for me to pick up ($100 less to a commercial address).

He said it is unweathered, very clean, appears to have been pulled and wrapped, and stored well. Shweeeetttt!

OK, can you guys help me brainstorm any small items I should address while having this beast out?

foam surrounds on radiator
engine mounts
drive pulleys
valve covers (have to swap my injectors also, they were brand new from Dwerks). Maybe I'll just leave them alone and hold the Dwerks ones aside for now...

Anything else

[maxnix]

You must clean lower runners, plenum, EGR (including plenum tube) and IAC valves.

[RustyBucket]

How about doing your O2 sensors while the engine is out? They would certianly be easier to access with the engine out of the car, regardless of whether they are loacated on the exhaust downpipe or on the header.

Any seals lower down on the engine that would be easier to do with the engine out and disconnected from the trans?

If you're pulling the trans, with the engine, I'd say replace the internal screen filter and pan gasket, maybe inspect solenoids. Those items would be a lot easier with the trans in front of you on the ground or on a bench rather than doing it on your back under the car. Of course, you may not have the time to do that during the swap.

Good luck!

[Skibane]

OK, can you guys help me brainstorm any small items I should address while having this beast out?

foam surrounds on radiator
engine mounts
drive pulleys
valve covers (have to swap my injectors also, they were brand new from Dwerks). Maybe I'll just leave them alone and hold the Dwerks ones aside for now...

Anything else

I'd replace all 3 idler pulleys - or at least install fresh bearings in them - and probably replace the thermostat and water pump while you've got everything drained. Might even consider slapping in a new starter, since it's not much fun to do with the engine installed. As Rusty mentioned, at 85K, there's a pretty good chance that at least one of the 02 sensors will quit some time in the not-too-distant future - and ditto for the knock sensors.

Wasn't the transmission turbine speed sensor a failure-prone part?

[maxnix]

Wasn't the transmission turbine speed sensor a failure-prone part?

Yeah, Dennis always said its seal life correlated with ATF freshness, but mine failed on totally fresh ATF at a young age.