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Hi, just got an 03 GP and the engine blew... what now?

S

Slade

New member
Bought this 03 GP (SE) with 144k miles at a local auto auction, looked it over and test drove it, everything seemed fine so I paid for it. An hour later the temp gauge maxes out and the engine loses all power. Pulled it to the mechanic and got the news today that the engine is gone. My mechanic said it would be $2300 for an engine with 80k miles on it, didn't say if it would have a warranty or anything like that. Do I need to shop around? Are there places online I can get a good deal on an engine and then go find someone to install it? This is my first car and I'm really not sure what to do.
 


Slade said:
Bought this 03 GP (SE) with 144k miles at a local auto auction, looked it over and test drove it, everything seemed fine so I paid for it. An hour later the temp gauge maxes out and the engine loses all power. Pulled it to the mechanic and got the news today that the engine is gone. My mechanic said it would be $2300 for an engine with 80k miles on it, didn't say if it would have a warranty or anything like that. Do I need to shop around? Are there places online I can get a good deal on an engine and then go find someone to install it? This is my first car and I'm really not sure what to do.
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Sorry to hear, that seems pretty fair priced for an engine. How much did you pay for the car and is the body in good shape?
 
$2300? Is not a good price. car-parts.com find a junkyard engine and have someone install it. Shouldn't come no where near $2300 or moradpartscompany.com
 
$2800 for the car. The body and paint are in good-very good shape. I looked through the buyers guide stickied at the top of this forum and I plan to check it for any of the problems mentioned there.
 
This never happened to me but one of my friends had to get a new engine. His costs $3000 total (with install) and had about 60k on it. Heres the thing if I can find where he got it from I'll post, if not make sure you get it from a reliable place not a junkyard. Junkyard engines dont last and if the body is nice yet and you make a good purchase, you could have a good car for a long time.
 


Slade said:
Bought this 03 GP (SE) with 144k miles at a local auto auction, looked it over and test drove it, everything seemed fine so I paid for it. An hour later the temp gauge maxes out and the engine loses all power. Pulled it to the mechanic and got the news today that the engine is gone. My mechanic said it would be $2300 for an engine with 80k miles on it, didn't say if it would have a warranty or anything like that. Do I need to shop around? Are there places online I can get a good deal on an engine and then go find someone to install it? This is my first car and I'm really not sure what to do.
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Yup. Sounds like an SE.

An engine should not cost more than the car itself. Shop around.
 
Nixon said:
Yup. Sounds like an SE.

An engine should not cost more than the car itself. Shop around.
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I spent $750 for a used L67 (3800 supercharged) and had it dropped in with all new gaskets for another $800, if you spend over $2000 you are doing it wrong. And mine came with a warranty too.

Shop around, use car-parts.com and search the Junk Yards for good condition pulled motors. Alot of cars totalled on the back side still have good drivetrain and they sell them for cheap. I know, I'm using one now and its a champ.

What exactly did he say caused the engine failure? and why does it need to be replaced?

I ask because the 3800s are KNOWN for the Lower Intake Manifold gaskets to break and cause problems around 100k-150k (+/-) and if yours suffered a similar problem then it can be easily rebuilt for little to nothing. and If that is the case, the shop you took it to could say they put in a "new" engine, but they rebuild yours and pocket a ton of cash and your none the wiser. Seen it happen.
 
TLSheff said:
I spent $750 for a used L67 (3800 supercharged) and had it dropped in with all new gaskets for another $800, if you spend over $2000 you are doing it wrong. And mine came with a warranty too.

Shop around, use car-parts.com and search the Junk Yards for good condition pulled motors. Alot of cars totalled on the back side still have good drivetrain and they sell them for cheap. I know, I'm using one now and its a champ.

What exactly did he say caused the engine failure? and why does it need to be replaced?

I ask because the 3800s are KNOWN for the Lower Intake Manifold gaskets to break and cause problems around 100k-150k (+/-) and if yours suffered a similar problem then it can be easily rebuilt for little to nothing. and If that is the case, the shop you took it to could say they put in a "new" engine, but they rebuild yours and pocket a ton of cash and your none the wiser. Seen it happen.
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Rebuilding your engine is nice but through little experience, rebuilds can become more expensive. Like Sheff said it probably is cheaper than I was thinking. Figure out what the problem is, if cheap do it...if not that site link looks pretty good.
 


Car-part.com for the best prices. There is nothing wrong with a junkyard motor, that's like saying any used car you buy (used motor) that the motor is bad. I have personally put in many junkyard motors and had almost all good experiences. In the bad case or two, another motor was handed to me for free (no labor) by the yard.
 
Slade..which motor are you talking about? We might have even further advice for you.

Like how I wanted an NA 3800 in my car and while the L36 (95-05ish) production motors are getting hard to come by and prices are going up, I put in an 07 L26 (NA 3800). Local yard here sells them with 30-50K miles for $295 plus tax. That's $316 out the door.
 


When the mech said your motor is gone exactly what went out on it? I had spun my rod bearing and i got the crank turned new rb's new mb's new oil pump and water touch hone and new pistons rings all replace by my guy for 560 that included labor. All that was left is gaskets head bolts fluids and drop in and it runs great. Shop around.
 
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