Seized engine

[look 171]

Friend call this morning asking about her car. Mechanic claims new engine needed to the tune of 9-11,000 for a used engine on a 2017 CX 5, none turbo. The words BS couldn't come out of my mouth fast enough. Ex- husband is worthless so I decided to call the mechanic to dig a bit more. The mechanic told me the engine isn't cranking over so I reply with," it was cranked at the crank bolt with a wrench and plugs out?" A slight hesitation, Yes. OK now they want to investigate further by pulling the oil pan. I small a rat here. I am also told that the engine was a bit over filled with oil. So the theory of no oil burning the engine is out.

She drove off the off ramp and the car lost power and she pulled over to the other side and call tow truck. No over heating so we ruled that out too. What else can it be?

[pwd72s]

what I posted on the other thread...

I have no clue what a CX5 is. That said, I'd start calling area wrecked-em yards to see what a low miles replacement engine would cost. Then do some research on how many hours it should take to do an engine swap on that model. Should then give you a clue if the shop is being straight or not..

[masraum]

My first thought was "timing belt" but according to google AI, those cars have a lifetime chain so that's unlikely.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Your garage alone with car answers find you will.

[pwd72s]

Hmmm, it's not like those engines are hard to find or all that $pendy, so seems to me this shop wants a lot of bucks to do an engine swap.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Complete-Engines-for-Mazda-CX-5/33615/bn_1433484

[look 171]

I am more curious on what cause it to seized

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by look 171

I am more curious on what cause it to seized

Oil overfilling could be a cause...but anything we post here would be guesswork. You really need a hands on opinion from somebody skilled and trusted by you.

[porsche930dude]

Who said it was seized and how did they determine that. Sounds like it has an electrical problem

[look 171]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

Who said it was seized and how did they determine that. Sounds like it has an electrical problem

According to one of the mechanic, the engine doesn't turn over

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by look 171

According to one of the mechanic, the engine doesn't turn over

Turn over (crank) or turn (wrench on crank shaft)?

[look 171]

wrench on crank

[onewhippedpuppy]

Based on your description I’d get a second opinion before scrapping it. The mechanic doesn’t sound super trustworthy.

[recycled sixtie]

A second opinion from your recommended mechanic would help a lot. The amount of overselling by mechanics and service advisers to the unsuspecting is ludicrous.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

The amount of overselling by mechanics and service advisers to the unsuspecting is ludicrous.

If you steal over $1,000 or so it's grand larceny.

If you suck a noob into paying $5,500 for a complete valve train replacement when the VVT solenoids have crud in them from overworked (usually low) oil you are a successful service manager.

It's a license to steal with a smile.

[ryans65]

Just food for thought here guys-

Since most of the junkyards are now owned by a handful of companies they are typically asking between 2500-4000ish depending on the engine. The shop will mark that up 20% at the least so now we are talking $3000 on the low end. I'd throw another $500 in for coolant, gaskets, oil etc. so $3500. I usually got about 16-18 hours for engine job @ $200/ hr so now were in around $7k, before tax, on the low end. Engines that are junk and are in high demand could cost a shop upwards of $4-5k now, then mark that up and you now see how we get into the 5 figures for an USED engine replacement. I remember getting engines from the mom and pop junkyards for $250, those days are loooooong gone guys!!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Here’s another thought - if the engine is actually seized as they claim, it seems doubtful that the symptom would be “engine lost power and coasted to the side of the road”. That doesn’t sound like the symptom of a catastrophic engine failure.

[ryans65]

You be surprised what will actually run despite a massive failure.

This drove in the other day, 9000 miles on the engine!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ouch. But even still, I suspect there were symptoms beyond a loss of power?

[ryans65]

Oh yeah sounded like metal spoons in a food processor!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ryans65

You be surprised what will actually run despite a massive failure.

This drove in the other day, 9000 miles on the engine!

Looks good! A quick tune up and back on the road!

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Ouch. But even still, I suspect there were symptoms beyond a loss of power?

That's always the problem with symptoms as described by someone that doesn't have a clue.

Originally Posted by ryans65

Oh yeah sounded like metal spoons in a food processor!

LMAO! Auditioning for a mariachi band!