(Home) Ace engines...again - Anna

Well - Sorry to hog cyber space with my quest! The Ace disaster continues - have now left van in the 'capable'? hands of toyoto-tec who have quoted a wapping 1800 squid to put in new engine and do radiator and all ancilliary parts...Just wondering (i know its probably very obvious) what the advantages are of reconditioned engines...what actually does 'reconditioned' mean - are you really getting that much more for your money? I think this guy is getting an engine from JAS if anyone knows them...Am really looking for some reassurance that i'm not going to spend 1800 squid for a replacement that won't last...I promise when all is sorted, i will rent my house and live in my ace and will post a heartwarming story about all my travels!!

- (#12489) Annna, 3 Aug 04 05:48

A fully reconditioned engine should have the head skimmed, cleaned up, new tappets etc. the block should be rebored, new piston rings, crankshaft checked and ground if necessary, new shells etc. Effectively, a new engine. Should also come with at least a year's warranty. Make sure it does for that kind of money!

- (#12489) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 3 Aug 04 05:57

Big thankyou Ian! Yet again another close shave! I phoned garage after your message only to find that the engine he was proposing was not even reconditioned and infact a 'low mileage' import!! Have since told him not to order and I am going to pick up a reconditioned one myself from BBC Spares, with a one year warranty and take it to the garage myself!! Don't know what i'd have done without this website! Thanks again!

- (#12489) Anna, 3 Aug 04 08:13

A low mileage engine from a scrapper may have been ok but more risky and you wouldn't get a year's warranty. However for that kind of money I would expect a reconditioned one. So what were JAS asking for it?

I think you have made the right choice BTW.

- (#12489) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 3 Aug 04 08:21

JAS were asking 850+vat! When i finally spoke to Bill at BBC Spares i realised what a rip of that was!... Have now picked up engine, delivered to garage and await my brand, spanking new ace!! Thanks everyone for such great advice and for taking an interest in my dreary tale!!

- (#12489) Anna , 5 Aug 04 11:05

Yes that was a rip-off as I see Bill is asking £950 for a recon engine. Hope it's not too long before you are tearing up the tarmac in your revamped Townie!

- (#12489) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 6 Aug 04 00:48

Ace engines
Actually just had an engine from JAS for £705 inc delivery and fitted by former Toyota senior mechanic for £495 so a total of £1200. The van had been off the road for sometime sfter the engine was destroyed by a garage in Southampton and to be honest it isn't a recon but one from a car in Japan as this is how jas get their engines, and they made it quite clear that 'low mileage' is not necessarily so, the japanese emmissions controls are very strict and and mot there is between £2k and £3k every 2yrs so they tend to get shot of their cars regularily,(so would I at that cost)so as a pointer if anyone says an engine for a townie is low mioleage take it with a pinch of salt, though generally they are about 40-50k on the clock.
However, I am very pleased with the return of my trusted townie and touch wood haven't experienced any problems,

- (#12489) Marc Hamilton, 8 Aug 04 09:30