how can i tell if my engines reco??

[PUSHIN]

exactly what the name says guys, s1 vn calais, currently got 290,000 on it, and still runs really well, good response, (and it was owned by a tool before me, who gave it a floggin) basicly im curious as to if its reco, cause i dont wanna push it too hard tryin to find out if it is, then find out it isnt lol :P

so is there any possible way to find out if its been reconditioned at some stage, or if a different engine has been put in or something.

[Morton]

The easiest way to tell if it's been reco'd, is to pull the sump off, remove a main cap and see if the bearing specs are oversize or not.

Easiest way to tell if it's a different motor, is to compare the actual engine number with the one on your identification plate.

It's not unusual for a high km car to go like clappers. My statesman is on 296,000, not reco'd, and still flies like the wind.

[greenfoam]

But reco engines will normally have new standard size bearings and just new rings and a valve grind

[Smallies]

Travel down the previous owners path? By all means, that is not the easiest way, but it is a way nonetheless.

Really long shot - Service manual?

Other than that i can't really think of a definate way to find out.

Anything you find on the motor that suggests a recon would only be a suggestion, and not a definate way of telling.

[whitey152]

I have seen that shops put a badge kinda thing on top of the rocker covers?

[Morton]

But reco engines will normally have new standard size bearings and just new rings and a valve grind

Well you could take a look at the bearings. There should be an obvious difference between 300,000km old bearings and not

[Smallies]

Well you could take a look at the bearings. There should be an obvious difference between 300,000km old bearings and not

But would that prove that the whole motor has been reconditioned? Or just that the bearings have been replaced?

[Morton]

Generally if you do bearings, you're doing rings and heads.

[azkwazere]

Generally if you do bearings, you're doing rings and heads.

mmm, depends on the builder... may have just had enough money for a bottom end and CBF pulling the heads off...

aZk.

[Smallies]

So bearing condition isn't hard proof of a recon.

IMO the only way for 100% proof is to back track owners of the car and ask:

Has the car been reconditioned?
If yes, do you have any reciepts of documentation for the work?
If they don't have documents, who did the work?
Then ask the people that did it if they have any documents.

Thats if the recon was done by a company.
If it was done by a guy in his back shed theres basically no way to know for sure.

[Morton]

Bearing work isn't hard proof of a full recon, but tell me this:

would you rather a 300,000km old engine with new rings, or one with new bearings?

[Fonzie]

My bro's VH vacationer with a baby 4.2L v8 in it, got reco'd before he owned it... Mechanic left a sticker in the bay.

[azkwazere]

Bearing work isn't hard proof of a full recon, but tell me this:

would you rather a 300,000km old engine with new rings, or one with new bearings?

depends on the condition of either... but my votes on bearings.

aZk.

[PUSHIN]

kk cheers guys, well it goes off, all it has is a new exhaust.. but hmm, no sticker, still same engine.. cant ask previous owner as hes a tosser.. sold me car "i've owned this car for 5 years, baught the 4x4 so dont need it" whys a 50 year old bloke got a sony xplod, had a sub/amp before, exhaust with 2.5" tip, and bent diff mounts from drifting and gutters.. oh and ****ed handbrake pads.. tbh, sounds like a p platers car, and when i called him im like is this phil? yeah mate, okay, just curious about the vn calais you sold me.. you must have the wrong number mate. bye.

man.. no.. lol no.. so i guess im gonna have to check bearing to have any idea about it..

thanks