engine failure no warning HELP!

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01-18-2019 | 10:06 PM

efahr23

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engine failure no warning HELP!

So I'm looking at buying a turbo 94 with 90,000 miles on the chassis. Almost every part of the drive train, suspension, and exhaust is aftermarket but the previous owner clearly knew what he was doing. From the seller,

"I purchased the car from a very knowledgeable Miata enthusiast. He rebuilt the short block & the head only has 800 miles on it.Car was not running when I purchased it and numerous items needed to be bolted on to complete.All the correct steps were done to prime engine & start break in process.Car started right up with great oil pressure & water temp. Ran for 15 minutes checking for leaks & noise, all good. Great compression of 200lbs on all the cylinders.Next day same procedure, adjusted clutch & was ready to take car off jack stands & drive, but engine made a screech sound for only 1 second at idle & died. No knocking noise, smoke etc.

No debris was found in the oil filter, drained oil or head cam area.I'm thinking a bearing spun because I never heard any knocking, or oil pump failed and jammed crank as the pump is driven by the crank."

I've been digging around trying to narrow it down a little because replacing an oil pump seems quite a bit easier than trying to replace main or rod bearings and all the extra jazz that comes with truing and honing the crank.

I'm thinking its not a bearing since every experience I have with a blown/spun bearing either includes debris or the car still runs but makes obvious noises.

This brings me to the oil pump which I question since he states the oil pressure was sill good.

Any ideas?

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01-18-2019 | 10:19 PM

borka

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I honestly cant make sense of what you are talking about?

you want to buy a car that blown a rebuilt engine?

what are you asking help for?
engine made noise for 1 second then blew? Plz help??
I dont get it.

-1

01-18-2019 | 10:35 PM

efahr23

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Sorta... He's selling it cheap enough that if it's just an oil pump it's a steal and even if I have to swap engines it would still be worth it given the condition of everything else. I'm just trying to figure out if it sounds feasible that it's the oil pump problem he's saying it is or if anyone has any other ideas, because while it may be worth it, doesn't mean I necessarily want to start off by swapping engines...

01-18-2019 | 10:45 PM

skylinecalvin

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Can't really say much until you look at the engine imo. Either way, would you want to run an engine with potential metal shavings in it without getting the block cleaned first?

01-18-2019 | 10:55 PM

borka

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No one has a crystal ball....

the car obviously has a blown engine, I can guarantee it's not a blown oil pump, don't be naive and think it's an oil pump.

when buying such cars plan on engine rebuild or replacement

01-18-2019 | 10:56 PM

msmola2002

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https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/...788455245.html this one?

01-18-2019 | 11:08 PM

efahr23

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Quote:

Originally Posted by msmola2002

https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/...788455245.html this one?

Yeah lol that’s the one.

01-18-2019 | 11:30 PM

borka

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I think $4500 for a blown engine car is a lot.

3k would be ok. If you are handy and can swap the engine.

locked up engines need full teardown and inspection. No shortcuts here.

01-19-2019 | 08:32 AM

ryansmoneypit

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screeching! headgasket was installed upside down, cams seized in the head. that's where I would place my bet..

01-19-2019 | 11:11 AM

#10

Stealth97

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That’s a $2500 car, max. IMO. I personally still would not pay that. It would cost at least $3k to rip off that body kit and paint it.

01-19-2019 | 11:35 AM

#11

thommorud

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I saw that car as well and also felt it was well over priced being a non running car. Some nice parts if he parted it out but nothing that adds up to 4500$.

01-19-2019 | 12:27 PM

#12

k24madness

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The car does not have a rebuilt engine. It has a seized engine from improper rebuild. Whatever $$$ was dumped into it for parts are now questionable. It would not be the first such example of trashing an engine in the first hours of its life. The seller is dillusional potching it as minor setback.

If you REALLY love the car and can do the work go for it. I would move forward with the assumption everything in the engine is trashed to possibly include the turbo from metal contamination. Price accordingly.

Regardless of the price it’s a terrible value proposition. Lots of great running cars pop up for sale in the MT classifieds. Things that are well sorts etc. Based on your questions I don’t think you’re the right guy to take on a project.

Tough love but there you go.

01-19-2019 | 02:28 PM

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concealer404

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Oh. This car again.

Nah fam.

01-19-2019 | 02:29 PM

#14

efahr23

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Quote:

Originally Posted by concealer404

Oh. This car again.

Nah fam.

what do you mean?

01-19-2019 | 02:31 PM

#15

concealer404

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It's had a good 2-3 threads about it in the last few months. Each time it ends up in worse condition. I'd pay about $2k for it with the intent of parting it out and putting it out of its misery.

01-19-2019 | 02:33 PM

#16

efahr23

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Quote:

Originally Posted by concealer404

It's had a good 2-3 threads about it in the last few months. Each time it ends up in worse condition. I'd pay about $2k for it with the intent of parting it out and putting it out of its misery.

can you find links or do you remember the thread titles?

01-19-2019 | 02:39 PM

#17

concealer404

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I don't remember thread titles, so any searching you'd be able to do would just be just as good as mine.

01-19-2019 | 07:11 PM

#18

S&S433

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I have looked at this car in person, not worth it. Rear fender wells are cut to hell, paint is faded, and so on. I would keep looking. Someone just posted a nice turbo miata in mass for $5500, sure you could get him down. I'll try to find a link, it was on Facebook.

01-20-2019 | 04:00 PM

#19

TalkingPie

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I see a cut and bodged body, stupid stance, blown engine, and garbage suspension. I see a few nice turbo parts, ECU, a roll bar, decent tires on wheels with the wrong offset, attached to a throwaway chassis. Definitely would not bang.