jacemace

I have a 2003 Z with 63K miles. Just spun a bearing and according to the dealer, the engine needs to be replaced. Their cost for an engine is about $8000. I'm obviously looking for alternatives.

So my questions are:

1. Are 03, 04 & 05 engines interchangable?
2. Where's a good but affordable source to purchase reman or used engines?
3. Are there any other options/ideas that anyone might suggest?

I'm feeling pretty low at a minimum and I'm really hoping for some solid advice.

Thanks!
Tara

Suvlaki

Stick a V8 in it! Woot!

SilverstoneZ

How did it spin a bearing?

jacemace

Wanting to stick with the 3.5 V6.

davidf

iTrader: (18)

Should be a simple find, but no 3.5 FWD {altima/maxima}.

jacemace

SilverstoneZ,

Not sure. Was non-aggresively driving the car when the oil light popped on and the oil pressure plummeted to about 10 PSI. That was followed by some not-so-happy engine noises. I had it dropped off at the dealer today and they told me that I had spun a bearing and would need to replace the engine.

Silkk

iTrader: (11)

Wow; not cool at all. I'm sure if you search the classifieds and/or ebay and/or car-parts.com you can find an engine for cheaper than $8k.

jacemace

There's an 05 engine/tranny/cpu on ebay right now. I'm just not sure if it's compatible. Anyone know?

MagicPie

A spun bearing is cause by low oil pressure, when driving around I always keep in a gear that allow for 50-60psi except when idling.

Replacing a entire motor for a spun bearing is a bit exterme, bearing them self are not expensive but labor will be, still far cheaper then a complete engine.

I doudt there is any major internal damage as a rod is strong enough to break though the engine block if something major happen, so unless you have a hole though your engine with a crank rod sticking out. I would go to another dealer/ mechanic for a second opinion.

on a different car of mine I spun a bearing it was as simple as replacing all the bearings and the main seal everything was just fine.

Of course I dont have all the facts but I think your getting screwed here

MagicPie

BTW as long has the ECU come with the engine any 350Z engine will work fine, as long as the ecu is for a automatic transmission if you have one or a manual ecu for a manual transmission. or a 03 engine will work for the ECU you have already but 04-05 will each require the own ecu

MagicPie

I'll explain better so you have something to work with incase the mechanic is screwing you. A spun bearing occurs when the motor was under alot of stress pressure on top of the fact it had low oil pressure.
you should find out if your rod to the spun bearing(s) are still intact if so there is no reason to replace the engine, however most dealers will demand engine replacement as the book they refer to states this. Basicly it is easier to replace a engine then a bearing and require some proper skill to get a proper job. but since your out of warranty take to a non dealer mechanic to see what he has to say about it, if he is good and willing he could fix your problem cheaply and without a new engine. But this is only possible if the rod didnt create internal damage to the engine after the bearing spun

gNaRKiLL

iTrader: (17)

Well, if you bought this car new from nissan there is a good chance they may grant a warranty extension for you on the car since you are only 3k miles out of your warranty, talk to them about this my mom tried to do it with her maxima and nissan didnt approve it but who knows maybe they will for you. Its worth a try.

MagicPie

^^ thats possible on a ford truck of my father's the engine had a serious problem well after warranty but after some talking, ford agreed to pay half of the bill for a new engine but in your case if you can prove that their was a ungoing oil problem during warranty not cause by you and the effect of this problem just now made its self obivious then you might get some aid.--maybe

ZU L8R

iTrader: (84)

I have a motor for sale

Duck704

if you are looking for a used motor.try www.car-part.com
just search it..

MrKaira

iTrader: (87)

I had to replace my motor back in March. I got in contact with Robert Lee at Z1 Motorsports. He got me a good deal on an '05 engine with 8k miles on it, paid $2800 + $235 shipping, and sent my engine back to him and got the $1000 core refund since they will take that and make a built engine with it. So if you add shipping both ways, I only paid $2070 for the new motor, and $1400 in labor.

Z1 is a good company to do business with, and they will help you out. I am sorry you have to go through this, but the dealership was tellin me $9000 and I said forget it, I'll let it sit in my garage til I can go FI since thats only a couple thousand more than what they were quoting me!

Here is their website:
http://www.z1motorsports.com

I would call and ask for Robert, see what he can do for you.

jacemace

Thanks for all of the great replies!

If I were to take it to another non-dealer mechanic, what would be a ballpark cost (i realize an exact cost isn't possible to come up with but just an off-the-cuff guess) for the repair if it was a spun bearing and there wasn't any other engine damage.

I'm trying to weigh my options. If I can get a functioning engine with less miles for $2100 (after core reimburse) and pay another $1200 for labor, I might consider this route over repairs.

MagicPie

I honestly couldnt even guess, I havent had any experience in repairing this engine as I have had no problems, so Iam afraid I couldnt even ballpark with in reason.

MrKaira

iTrader: (87)

labor for me was $1400, but I had him put on tires on my wheels as well, plus there was a fee to get rid of the old tires, but other than that, unless you have the hookup, you are gonna be lookin $1200 - $1500 depending on shop space/mechanic experience, etc. etc.

jacemace

Well shoot! I just called Z1motorsports and they're fresh out for about 3 weeks.