Matthew_1
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:02 PM |
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zetec - rebuild or not?
I have a 2lt zetec from a 1998 mondeo - it had 60k miles and on first inspection seems ok. My question is, is it worth rebuilding - new rings, shells
etc ? PPC did a piece on zetecs saying rebuilding the internals was a specialist job and couldn't be done. I've rebuilt plenty of A-series
and an alfa engine, how much more complicated can a zetec be ?
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bigrich
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:15 PM |
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modern engines will generally be in good condition at this mileage if well looked after
have you heard it running, didit smoke or rattle
i myself would probably just remove the sump and check a big end and a main bearing and if ok treat it to a new cambelt kit. the sump will probabty
need modding for installation anyway so not much extra work involved.so i would say" not" to your question but the choice ultimately is
yours
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:17 PM |
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If it ain't broke, dont fix it
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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dave1888
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:20 PM |
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I just rebuilt my 1600 zetec and didnt find anything difficult in doing it. Time will tell if i have done it right or not. But as Mark says if it aint
broke leave it.
[Edited on 6/11/2005 by dave1888]
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zetec
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:31 PM |
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I wouldn't touch it. If you do find somethiing that needs doing it might as well be scrap...You can get a recon half engine from Ford for about
£400...there are so many out their in 1st class order.
I wouldn't even check the bearings, not worth the slight risk of something going back wrong. These lumps will drap a rep about in a Mondeo for
150,000+ miles if serviced so a car half the weight is a breeze. Always use the correct grade oil (which is not expensive) and all should be just
fine. The reason there are so many in the breakers yards is because they don't sell them...very little demand as they tend to outlive the car,
which has probably just gone out of fashion rather tha wear out.
" I only registered to look at the pictures, now I'm stuck with this username for the rest of my life!"
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 10:44 PM |
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Compression test and new plugs, leads, diz cap & rotor arm. Fix any oil leaks and fit a new cambelt.
I also fitted a new head gasket to my pinto. Total 'rebuild cost was under £40). Why waste more?
 
Rescued attachment Engine Overhead2.jpg
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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stevebubs
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| posted on 6/11/05 at 11:13 PM |
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It's not. You just need the right tools to do a few jobs.
However, you have to question why you're doing this - if the engine was a decent runner when you got it then it's probably not worth the
effort. Best saving your ££ and if you really want to spend it get some upgrades. Be better to save it away until you know you won't need it.
S
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Danozeman
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| posted on 7/11/05 at 08:39 AM |
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I wouldnt bother mate. The gaskets alone are pricey. These are so good engines there wont be anything wrong. The zetec ive got the head was off it
when i got it so im going to put new valve stem seals in and lap the valves in. That is then head back on.
The price these engines go for if u get it in and its knackered bin it and get another one.
Dan
Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk
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jon_haggerty
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| posted on 7/11/05 at 08:45 AM |
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My modeo had 167000 on the clock when i got it, lasted the winter to 170000 and still ran fine so i sold it.
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NS Dev
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| posted on 7/11/05 at 09:07 AM |
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cannot comment from zetec experience but all the comments above concur with my vauxhall XE experience.
of the 4 engines that I have got/used, only one was dodgy (blown headgasket) but that one was bought very cheap and not running.
The others all were either left untouched, or just needed new big end shells.
Seeing as I always fit ARP rod bolts (which would be a good idea on the zetec if raising the rev limit from std) anyway, changing the big ends is no
major task. Strangely (and I don't know if the zetec is similar) even when the big ends on the vauxhall are getting pretty worn (usually seems
to be 90000 - 110000 miles), the main bearings seem really good.
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 7/11/05 at 01:58 PM |
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How about the oil pumps on the XE, worth replcaing on a highish mileage engine (90k)?
My 16v Astra had 145k on it when I sold it and it still went like a rocket and didn't burn oil. It did however chuck it out of the oil pump
gasket, but I simply couldn't remove the crank pulley bolt (neither air impact gun or BIG breaker bar would shift it) so had to put up with it.
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mac1ZR
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| posted on 7/11/05 at 05:24 PM |
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new cam belt, then just bung it in and run it, wots the worst that can happen, if it blows up just buy another cheap scrappie
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NS Dev
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| posted on 8/11/05 at 12:59 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
How about the oil pumps on the XE, worth replcaing on a highish mileage engine (90k)?
My 16v Astra had 145k on it when I sold it and it still went like a rocket and didn't burn oil. It did however chuck it out of the oil pump
gasket, but I simply couldn't remove the crank pulley bolt (neither air impact gun or BIG breaker bar would shift it) so had to put up with it.
Do you mean the front crank seal which is installed in the oil pump casing?
If so, yep, they tend to fail.
Yep the bolt is a complete ba5ta5d to get out (I made a tool that bolts to the 6 bolt holes that normally hold the front pulley on, and has a 4 ft
reaction bar welded to it!).
Oil pumps themselves are fine as long as the big pain in the ass bolt is put back properly i..e replaced and tightened correctly. if not, torsional
crank vibration hammers the flats that drive the oil pump inner gear into the driving ones on the crank and splits the inner gear................total
carnage results!
I have never renewed an oil pump because it was worn out, but I have seen them fail because of the above.
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 8/11/05 at 02:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
Do you mean the front crank seal which is installed in the oil pump casing?
Well, I couldn't exactly see where it was comming from, but the local Vauxhall dealer assured me that the gasket behind the oil pump was a
common failure, and flogged me one. I also bought a crank oil seal, but never managed to fit either!
Unfortunately, some monkey's already had a go at the crank bolt on my locost engine, and has managed to twist the splines on the head of the
bolt, so it's going to be doubly difficult to remove. 
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Stu16v
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| posted on 8/11/05 at 09:28 PM |
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The oil pump gasket *was* prone to failure on the XE engines. I was led to believe that a lot of engines were recalled under warranty to have the
original paper gasket replaced by a more substancial aluminium coated geasket.
Back to the 'to rebuild, or not to rebuild' question. Fit it and thrash it! The XE in my car has done 145,000 miles as I am aware of. The
last 10 thou have been in the Locost, and it has had a far from easy life  And it was probably ragged stupid before I got hold of it too...
Dont just build it.....make it!
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