2.5dt Engine change advice

Good morning.

Well, having bought my first P38 a 1996 2.5dt manual two months ago, I have had nothing but problems since one of which being the dreaded overheating. I joined this forum to find answers and have read plenty of very helpful threads on the matter I have done some work finally coming to the conclusion that it is either the head gasket or the head itself that is the problem.

So I have found myself a Vauxhall omega engine and all I want is some advice, is there anything I need to know before I start?

I am mechanically competent with friends who are even more so, access to a wide range of tools etc. I would like to know if there are any problems I might encounter or things I must do, so I can prepare myself in advance. If there are any topics that may be of use please link them in as I couldn't find much of use on a search.

Kind Regards

Simon

Easiest thing to do is remove the head from the Omega and fit it on yours.

How come?
the reason I was going to do the full engine was when i took it to a mates garage for the sniff test I asked him how long he reconed a head gasket would take to do, he checked his computer (dont know what system) and that said 14 hours and he said usually the systems was abit optomistic on its times.
Also replacing the whole engine I dont have to worry about specialist tools for playing with the timing chain.

regards

I hope you have checked the rad, viscous fan, thermostat and water pump before you waste time and money on an engine swap. All the forgoing are notorious for causing overheating.

omega engine is the best to use as the injection pump is the same! sump and oil pick up pipe will have to be swapped as will turbo and exhaust manifold apart from that pretty straight forward.
normally works cheaper for the home mechanic to change the engine by the time you have bought gaskets and the correct tools to time up the engine correctly!

Mini Simon said:

How come?
the reason I was going to do the full engine was when i took it to a mates garage for the sniff test I asked him how long he reconed a head gasket would take to do, he checked his computer (dont know what system) and that said 14 hours and he said usually the systems was abit optomistic on its times.
Also replacing the whole engine I dont have to worry about specialist tools for playing with the timing chain.

regards

Click to expand...

How long do you think it is going to take to change the engine. Sump, oil pickup Etc?

Datatek - I am not thinking of changing the engine just for the fun of it, I have done all of those.

Nathan - thanks for the info, didnt realise there were bits I could keep, was expecting to swap all ancillaries over, thanks.

Whammers - engine change I'm reconing on two days, which yes is longer than the 14 hours for the head gasket but as nathan points out I dont have to worry about all the specialist timing tools.

Regards

Mini Simon said:

Datatek - I am not thinking of changing the engine just for the fun of it, I have done all of those.

Nathan - thanks for the info, didnt realise there were bits I could keep, was expecting to swap all ancillaries over, thanks.

Whammers - engine change I'm reconing on two days, which yes is longer than the 14 hours for the head gasket but as nathan points out I dont have to worry about all the specialist timing tools.

Regards

Click to expand...

But you do have to worry about the replacement engine being good

Mini Simon said:

Datatek - I am not thinking of changing the engine just for the fun of it, I have done all of those.

Nathan - thanks for the info, didnt realise there were bits I could keep, was expecting to swap all ancillaries over, thanks.

Whammers - engine change I'm reconing on two days, which yes is longer than the 14 hours for the head gasket but as nathan points out I dont have to worry about all the specialist timing tools.

Regards

Click to expand...

So you are going to throw and engine in you may not know about and may have stretched timing chains and need the pump timing. Ok carry on.

wammers said:

So you are going to throw and engine in you may not know about and may have stretched timing chains and need the pump timing. Ok carry on.

Click to expand...

I understand his theory as when I was a mini owner I would always have a full A series including gearbox (in sump) ready to go so once my current engine “let go” or went “pop” I would be able to change them over on Sat morning and be back on the road the next day.

But I agree – I’ve never fitted an unknown engine. The risk is too high for the amount of work involved.

JohnnyCrash said:

I understand his theory as when I was a mini owner I would always have a full A series including gearbox (in sump) ready to go so once my current engine “let go” or went “pop” I would be able to change them over on Sat morning and be back on the road the next day.

But I agree – I’ve never fitted an unknown engine. The risk is too high for the amount of work involved.

Click to expand...

Fitting an unknown engine without examining it before hand is folly to me. But each to their own. If i knew the bottom end of mine was ok then i would whip the head off the Omega refurb if required and fit that. But i have the tools to do that. He asked for advice, i gave it, he does not have to take it.

wammers said:

Fitting an unknown engine without examining it before hand is folly to me. But each to their own. If i knew the bottom end of mine was ok then i would whip the head off the Omega refurb if required and fit that. But i have to tools to do that. He asked for advice, i gave it, he does not have to take it.

Click to expand...

Had an apprentice doing spark plugs with an air gun I advised him this wasn't a good idea!

came back from lunch and the first question I was asked was "how do you remove a snapped spark plug from the head"

so yes you can lead a horse to water.....

Mini Simon said:

Datatek - I am not thinking of changing the engine just for the fun of it, I have done all of those.


Regards

Click to expand...

Fair enough, but you would be amazed how many dumbo's jump in at the deep end without doing the basics. Even new rads are quite often faulty having the baffle missing.
I say this because I bought a 96 with overheating problems for peanuts, it had had a replacement head water pump, thermostat etc, turned out the replacement RAD was NBG. So now I have a good spare engine

Wammers - yes I asked for advice and it is gratefully recieved, I can see the point you are making.

I assume the bottom end on mine is in good condition, cant hear anything that doesnt sound right but this being my first P38 I have nothing to compare it to. I will ask around see if i cant get hold of the tools required for the head but if i can't (and off the top of my head I can't think of any of my mates that would) I am stuck with risking it on an engine.