hmmmm engine fire+insurance=rebuilt motor.

Paul makes a good point - any one with access to the car's oil filler tube (i.e. trunk) during the period of ownership of you or the PO or maybe more than 1 PO... the period during which this could have been done and not detected could be pretty long.

I'd still do an oil analysis.

BTW - have you checked the gas tank???

Anything remaining in the oil system will damage your replacement engine.

You will need to have all the lines, the oil tank, the thermostat and oil cooler(s) flushed out really well to be sure that what ever damaged this engine is gone.

When we had track cars lose an engine, we would always flush the system out and sometimes replace coolers that were suspect of still having materials trapped in them.



Ed

thanks to all have responded - i'll check with my insurance company

Wow man, that sucks. I mean, I've found some pretty weird stuff done to my car, but nothing like that.

If you don't mind, can you pm me the past (suspect) wrenches you've used, so I know who to avoid in the area? I usually stick with the same place (Mantis) but depending on what needs to be done, I've used other places.

My $0.02 would be to go with a 3.2 - like someone already said, may as well go for a bit of an upgrade after spending all that dough. Although $4500 cdn for a 3.0 installed is a pretty damn good price.

Chris

I would call Henry at Supertec and ask if he has an engine he can sell you for a reasonable price...he recently had one listed on this site in the classifieds - do a search.

You'll get a 2 year warranty, unlimited mileage...and he does great work.

If the 3.0 you are contemplating has no known history and you cannot verify the condition, you are accepting risk if you move forward with that option, as well.

Rebuilding or getting a good rebuilt with a warranty gives you a known good engine...

Sorry to hear about the news. I just saw this thread from the other one you have about the 2 engine choices. You've got more patience than me to stick it out with the same car, but I definitely see why.

Just on another note, could you tell me who Frank is and which shop he owns/runs? Is he in the west end or elsewhere? I've got a great mechanic in the east end, but it's always good to have another backup.

Good luck.

p.s. I'd go for the $4k motor as long as it's got the compression/leakdown and headstuds verified...