Hey all ... does this forum replace the DC-CEG list on YahooGroups ? I tried posting to it last night, and a message came back saying the group did not exist or something. Anyway, I already posted this to another area on the CEG Forums, but one of the guys said to post to the Capitol area group to perhaps get ideas on reputable shops in the area to maybe get a better price, get 2md/3rd opinions, etc.
Sooooo, here I am, joining a "blown engine" thread. Recently, I noticed noise in the engine bay that didn't sound good, and it only got worse. I was driving a few days ago on the freeway to get to a service station, and suddenly the noise became terrible. I happened to be approaching an exit, which I took and immediately coasted to a stop. As I did so, the engine died. I was able to restart it almost immediately, but it only ran a few seconds.
I had it towed to the dealer (actually a flat bed truck with winch). My precious SVT is now dead in the shop (local Ford dealer) ... I've been told the engine has gone to lunch, permanently. They don't know precisely what is wrong -- they said it could be a broken connecting rod -- but I was told it isn't worth spending the money to determine the details of what happened, and that a new engine is needed. A factory remanufactured engine, plus labor, will cost several $K. I would hate to spend several $K replacing the engine, when it might be something that could be repaired/replaced for $1K.
What would any of you do in my position ? We've got two babies . . . I've been laid off many months ago, with very lean fill-in income since . . . I'm starting college classes Monday and that cost me a lot of $$$ . . . the engine replacement will cost me roughly 15% of my personal savings . . . I must have my own car for work, school etc. . . . well, you get the idea.
To top it off, this SVT is in beautiful condition in every way aside from the blown engine. I cannot even dream of parting it out or selling it for street value as-is. And I owe roughly $10K or $11K on the loan.
What would you do ? I do technically have money to buy the new engine/installation. Does it make sense to go for it ? Are there other less costly avenues to have this done ? I understand that I cannot legally have an engine from any other year installed (my SVT is a 98). I even looked at eBay for an engine, or SVT being sold as is for parts, but .... nothing.
By the way, my car is a black '98 Contour SVT. I have never been racing with it, I baby it a lot, and have it maintained religiously (not sure I could produce all records needed for a freebie engine replacement).
Except for the blown engine or whatever, everything is in beautiful condition, including an almost new set of 245/50-16 Michelins (almost $1,000), midnight blue leather interior, tinted windows ... you can see why it would kill me to even think of parting it out or something.
I can see from the posts that replacing an engine is somewhat routine for a few people out there, but it is far from a routine thing for me. I am obviously too upset to even think about this rationally. Again, what would you do in my shoes ? Anyway, thanks again for "listening", and thanks to anyone with constructive advice and/or some silver lining to a very dark cloud . . . sigh
