Putting a salvage motor in a 2000 Golf

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-09-2008, 08:35 AM

A dear friend of mine didn't change the cam belt on her 2000 Golf, 2.0, so at 120K miles, it gave up the ghost. being an interference engine, it's toast.

After a local shop scammed her out of $300 by putting a new belt on only to find it doesn't spin (duh!), and then telling her they would have to pull the motor and "send it out" costing another $3000, I have signed on to putting a salvage yard motor in the car for her. She dumped $2K into it over the summer (same garage) and can't afford to walk away from it now.

How much of a pain is the job? tips, tricks, do's and don'ts?

71T Targa · 10-09-2008, 08:59 AM

It was pretty easy in my '81 Rabbit. Wonder what's changed in 19 years at VW...

Sorry, no real help...

jkarolyi · 10-09-2008, 09:14 AM

No experience other that it "looks" like a fairly easy job. With the 2.0 non-turbo there is a lot of room to work around in that engine bay.

Methinks you might only need to replace the valves or head. Complete 2.0 heads at a salvage yard are a dime a dozen. The blocks on those things are indestructible.

mattdavis11 · 10-09-2008, 09:18 AM

Why don't you find a used head and slap it on, or remove the head to have it worked on? Usually only the valves get bent. It happens on the 944's all to often when the belt breaks. Hello valve, I'm piston!

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

how many valves on that thing? if it's just a couple of bent valves, might not even need work to the actual head... i've seen several 944's go back together with just the 3 - 5 bent valves replaced and grinded in a bit... no sweat

notfarnow · 10-09-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkarolyi

No experience other that it "looks" like a fairly easy job. With the 2.0 non-turbo there is a lot of room to work around in that engine bay.

Methinks you might only need to replace the valves or head. Complete 2.0 heads at a salvage yard are a dime a dozen. The blocks on those things are indestructible.

+1

I've done a headgasket on one in <5 hours, from the time it pulled into the garage to the time it pulled out. I'm not particularly smart, either. I'm sure you'd think it was a piece of cake.

I'd price some used heads, then pop off the head to see what the pistons look like. Probably just a couple "kisses" on the piston tops, but I wouldn't want to plan on just a head swap until I was sure that a valve head didn't bust off and lodge itself into something.

If it looks OK, get a used one, make sure it's square and have the valve stem seals replaced.

Way easier than an engine swap, and then you know what's inside. A couple years ago a guy at work blew the HG on his Honda Civic. I helped him out, but said he should really do a head swap instead of an outright engine swap. He got a deal on a complete engine instead, and we put that in. A few months later he complained that it was burning oil and overheating. Lotta work for nothing.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-09-2008, 09:31 AM

The better question: what sort of compensation is this female friend providing you?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-09-2008, 09:34 AM

OK, may go with a used head or fix this one; I used to love lapping 60's Mercedes straight 6 valves.

my concern is potential damage to the piston(s) in addition to the valves. Never know until you open it up, and by her own description, she hasn't been keeping up on the maintenance in the car, so a whole new motor may be best for her.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-09-2008, 09:36 AM

Thanks Jake, good advice.

Matt, she's gay, so not much for me, but she has been there for me in the past (in a different way).

notfarnow · 10-09-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

my concern is potential damage to the piston(s) in addition to the valves. Never know until you open it up,

Pick it up and shake it. Does it rattle?

onewhippedpuppy · 10-09-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Thanks Jake, good advice.

Matt, she's gay, so not much for me, but she has been there for me in the past (in a different way).

Maybe she could let you join in?

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Thanks Jake, good advice.

Matt, she's gay, so not much for me, but she has been there for me in the past (in a different way).

maybe ..with a good head job... you can turn her back to the light side of the force !!

notfarnow · 10-09-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svandamme

maybe ..with a good head job... you can turn her back to the light side of the force !!

It's a hard one to argue... I always end up agreeing with them

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

Use the Force Jake... Use the Force...

71T Targa · 10-09-2008, 10:00 AM

I think I'd have to agree with Jake. If I were a woman I'd be gay too...

vash · vash's Garage

lipstick lesbian...or...chapstick lesbian?

9dreizig · 10-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Thanks Jake, good advice.

Matt, she's gay, so not much for me, but she has been there for me in the past (in a different way).

Shaun, you're up for the job!! convert her dude!!!

lendaddy · 10-09-2008, 10:03 AM

She should at least let you watch, it's the right thing to do.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-09-2008, 10:05 AM

Cliff asks the right question. Chapstick.

Todd, I greatly appreciate your faith, I really do.

lendaddy · 10-09-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Cliff asks the right question. Chapstick.

Ahh, but the girlfriend....lipstick? Yes?