I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

I bought my 1st SVX in June after sitting on the fence for years. Guess I should have looked harder.

The seller told me the noise on start-up was oil filling the hydraulic lifters. I'm no mechanic and took him at his word. Today, my mechanic diagnosed a spun crankshaft bearing, and a bad head gasket. They're unrelated obviously, but I guess I should of had a PPI done before buying it. :(

It'll cost me $500 for him to open up the engine to confirm the diagnosis. Then, if I'm lucky, it's 'only' going to need a rebuild. If I'm not, it'll be another engine :barf:

I'm seriously thinking of cutting my losses and parting it out, but I really do want to try and save it, so guess I'll invest in the tear down to see what the bill might be...

How hard is it to find an engine?

Rod.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

Around here, not hard. I've got a yard a few miles of here that was able to come up with one for me in a couple of days from an affiliate. You might be better off selling parts from the current engine and replacing it already - I got a 70k mile mill with a 30 day warranty for $750 including a good bit of uncut harness.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

I wouldn't waste the labor on the tear down. Get a used engine (they seem to be a dime a dozen lately), and swap it out. If you have any mechanical ability, swapping a subaru engine is about as easy as an engine swap gets.

Mike

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

Super easy, for an engine swap. The amount of money saved is enough that it's way worth it.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

I agree. A engine crane helps too. Just undo all bolts and what ever. It popped out really easy :)

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

I might even have a spare engine kicking around somewhere. I know I have one in pieces :)

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

An engine crane is absolutely necessary, as heavy as the EG33 is. And harbor freight has them for cheap enough that it'll pay for itself with the single use.

Other that and regular mechanics tools, you'd need a jack and jackstands, big pans to drain oil/fluids/coolant into, and a buddy (or two) to help with moving giant objects around. A chisel or similar tool to split the trans/engine would help too. I have pulled and put back an EG33 twice in my blue car, if you need any help I could walk you through it.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

+1 on the ease of Subaru engine transplants. I've not done an EG33, but I've done several EJ22/25's which are essentially smaller versions of the EG33 as far as removal/replacement goes. You'll definitely need an engine hoist though.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

If u were willing to spend the min $1,500 for a tear down rebuild you should look at a 4.44 swap at the same time . U did not mention the year. If it is newer than 1994 and less than 100,000 miles disregard this post . I remember back in the day a guy actually replaced a spun bearing in my Chevy with out even removing the motor. He had a small tool that resurfaced the crank journal and put in a new bearing. I not knowing much about what it takes to move the pistons and connecting rods from the crank , I may be all wet when it comes to the SVX engine
I vote engine transplant .
BTW what does it sound like A Thump or ticking... never mind the head gasket is shot too. U R SURE !

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

Thanks for all the advice.

To answer the question about the noise, it's a loud rattle on startup for 3-4 seconds and then a rumble/knock from down low at the fire wall side.

The engine seems to pull well but my mechanic is pretty certain it's bad enough to not drive until he can open it up to confirm the diagnosis.

I'm on the lookout for another engine but seeing that I live part way between North Dakota and Alaska, it might not be easy...

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

My car lived for almost 3 years with the start-up knock before trully packing it in this spring.

The problem with a rebuild is that it uncovers a whole bunch of worms... Metal might have gotten into everything and scored/damaged all sorts of surfaces. It's far easier and cheaper to swap engines and possibly hang on to the old one to rebuild over time. I'm picking up my "new" motor in a few weeks and dropping it in sometime in September.

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

My mechanic confirmed yesterday after a tear-down that I need a new engine.

He's trying to find a donor to transplant, but apparently he can get a new short block from Subaru and use it for a rebuild.

I'm out of town and haven't spoken with him (I'm getting this by email through a friend while I'm away) so I don't have any more info or an idea of the cost.

Anyone been through this exercise and have advice on what to ask the mechanic and, assuming it's affordable, if it's worth doing?

TIA,

Re: I probably have a spun crankshaft bearing...
 

Depends...try to find out approximately how much that will cost you.