Skoda Fabia 2010, broken engine, need advice

googlefast

Hi all

I bought a used car around 15 months ago for around £4k, the engine has suddenly died, something to do with the chain bending the valves in the engine! The garage tells me that it needs another engine, a used one will cost around £600, and it'll cost around £1k to fit it. This is my first car and I'm looking for some advice, is it a good idea to try and fix the car?

Thanks for your time.

System

Sorry you've been unlucky and had a timing chain fail. Yes it is a good idea to fix it as it minimises your losses from £2.5k-£3k if you had to sell it as it is down to £1k and if you only have £1k to hand you're going to be buying a cheap banger which will come with its own unknown problems or losing even more money with the interest you pay on finance you have to get for a newer car.

£600 though is a bit expensive for a used engine unless they're going to guarantee it, if they are then fair enough. Depending on the hourly labour rates of the garage £400 to remove and refit an engine including fluids sounds not too bad. I would have them fit a new clutch as well whilst the engine is out as it'll save you £100s on labour if it had to be done in the future - it is one of those jobs you just do if you ever separate an engine and gearbox unless you know it has been done already in the past.

motorguy

Tarambor wrote: »

Sorry you've been unlucky and had a timing chain fail. Yes it is a good idea to fix it as it minimises your losses from £2.5k-£3k if you had to sell it as it is down to £1k and if you only have £1k to hand you're going to be buying a cheap banger which will come with its own unknown problems or losing even more money with the interest you pay on finance you have to get for a newer car.

£600 though is a bit expensive for a used engine unless they're going to guarantee it, if they are then fair enough. Depending on the hourly labour rates of the garage £400 to remove and refit an engine including fluids sounds not too bad. I would have them fit a new clutch as well whilst the engine is out as it'll save you £100s on labour if it had to be done in the future - it is one of those jobs you just do if you ever separate an engine and gearbox unless you know it has been done already in the past.

The O/P said £1,000 to fit it. If its £400 + the £600 for the engine then it sounds fine, £600 for the engine + £1,000 to fit it would be very bad.

If the O/P could clarify?

googlefast

motorguy wrote: »

The O/P said £1,000 to fit it. If its £400 + the £600 for the engine then it sounds fine, £600 for the engine + £1,000 to fit it would be very bad.

If the O/P could clarify?

You're right, I was quoted £1k just for fitting it, he said it could be less depending on the condition of the engine.

googlefast

Tarambor wrote: »

Depending on the hourly labour rates of the garage £400 to remove and refit an engine including fluids sounds not too bad. I would have them fit a new clutch as well whilst the engine is out as it'll save you £100s on labour if it had to be done in the future - it is one of those jobs you just do if you ever separate an engine and gearbox unless you know it has been done already in the past.

I wish I was quoted £400 for fitting it, but the garage said it'll be between £900-£1200 and then the cost of the engine would be on top of that, would you still recommend going ahead with the repair?

motorguy

googlefast wrote: »

You're right, I was quoted £1k just for fitting it, he said it could be less depending on the condition of the engine.

I would try a few garages for quotes. £1,000 for fitting an engine sounds a lot.