Hydro Locked Engine - CEG Archives

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So last tuesday night i found myself stuck in the middle of a flooded road with a dead car. Had it towed in, and the guy told me the engine has Hydro Lock, and would cost me $2,900 for a replacement used engine with 64,000 miles on it. The car itself only has 99,000. Its a 99 Ford Contour Confort Sport. I'm wondering if that is a fair price, or if i should look around. I have a problem spending $3,000 on a car that I owe $3,000 on.

Any advise?

THAT IS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY! You will get some good advice on here, but check local salvage yards, and search classifieds on this sight...put in a wanted ad for a motor, etc.

Oh, and by the way...welcome. Where you from?

Try looking at www.car-part.com

You can find complete engines in you're area from 400. - 1200.

When I replaced the motor in my 96 SE the motor was 650.00 and the install was 600.
Wherever this guy came up with 2900.00 is crazy.

Originally posted by dpa43:

Wherever this guy came up with 2900.00 is crazy.

Yeah you could get a different contour for 3K!

I don't remember off hand what he quoted me for the engine price, but i know the installation price was too much. I'm from Edina, MN. I will check out that site you guys gave me. I think i will also check around for some salvage yards. Not many that i know of in the twin cities area, but there are a few on the outside of town. I have a 2nd car that i'm driving for now, but i want to cry everytime i see my contour parked in the lot!!!

Maybe try a second opinion on that. If you had the throttle open wide and got some water in the air intake (fender), maybe it could lock, bend rods, etc.

Originally posted by XKontour98:

Originally posted by dpa43:

Wherever this guy came up with 2900.00 is crazy.

Yeah you could get a different contour for 3K!

Ya mines for sale for 4k

Originally posted by brahambaseball:
So last tuesday night i found myself stuck in the middle of a flooded road with a dead car. Had it towed in, and the guy told me the engine has Hydro Lock, and would cost me $2,900 for a replacement used engine with 64,000 miles on it. The car itself only has 99,000. Its a 99 Ford Contour Confort Sport. I'm wondering if that is a fair price, or if i should look around. I have a problem spending $3,000 on a car that I owe $3,000 on.

Any advise?

here's an idea, talk to rick (buckshot) and see what it would run you to drop a 3L in that badboy!

Welcome.

Before you go putting in a new engine, you might want to pull all the plugs and and plug wires and coil to let them dry out. Then manually then crank the engine over a few times to clear the water out of the cylinders. Then drain the engine oil, put new cheap filter in, fill with cheap oil. Dry out the plugs, spark plug holes and other visibly wet electrical areas, with a hair dryer. Reinstall the plugs. And see if it starts. If it does, then change oil and filter (with the good stuff). In addition, you might also want to change the tranny oil then. This test will run you $12 or so. Seems too small a price not to give it a try. Good luck.

Originally posted by XKontour98:

Originally posted by brahambaseball:
So last tuesday night i found myself stuck in the middle of a flooded road with a dead car. Had it towed in, and the guy told me the engine has Hydro Lock, and would cost me $2,900 for a replacement used engine with 64,000 miles on it. The car itself only has 99,000. Its a 99 Ford Contour Confort Sport. I'm wondering if that is a fair price, or if i should look around. I have a problem spending $3,000 on a car that I owe $3,000 on.

Any advise?

here's an idea, talk to rick (buckshot) and see what it would run you to drop a 3L in that badboy!

he doesn't do that anymore, he just builds them. And even then you have to go through ADC to get one, not Rick himself.

Originally posted by 98_HO_Contour:

Originally posted by XKontour98:

Originally posted by brahambaseball:
So last tuesday night i found myself stuck in the middle of a flooded road with a dead car. Had it towed in, and the guy told me the engine has Hydro Lock, and would cost me $2,900 for a replacement used engine with 64,000 miles on it. The car itself only has 99,000. Its a 99 Ford Contour Confort Sport. I'm wondering if that is a fair price, or if i should look around. I have a problem spending $3,000 on a car that I owe $3,000 on.

Any advise?

here's an idea, talk to rick (buckshot) and see what it would run you to drop a 3L in that badboy!

he doesn't do that anymore, he just builds them. And even then you have to go through ADC to get one, not Rick himself.

Damn I didnt know that, too bad.

Bummer about that. What road where you on when it happened? Welcome to the boards. Best of luck finding a replacement.

Nicols road in Eagan. Between Cliff and Difley.

Originally posted by brahambaseball:
Nicols road in Eagan. Between Cliff and Difley.

Mmmmm great road(now that its not flodded now)