Replacing Engine in 406

Hey All,

Last week the STOP! light came on my 1.8i 406 LX (S plate) and I
immediately pulled over (overheat). Oil and water all over the
road...predictable cause. This is the second time for this engine for
me, had the head gasket blow one day out of warranty (I kid you not!)
a couple of years ago. On both occasions I stopped immediately but it
seems that the damage had been done. So much for the “warning” system!
Engine temp when I pulled over was displayed as just under 105, usual
operating temp was 90-97. Thermostat and fans were working correctly
to the best of my knowledge.

Anyway, the first time it went, I had the head skimmed and was told
that it had to have a lot taken off it. So, it would seem that this
time round a new engine is needed, right? I’d sell it, but there is
still outstanding finance that would leave me with little cash to buy
anything other than someone elses problem car. Other than the engine,
mine is fine.

Is there anything I should look for in a new engine? I put out some
feelers for replacements, and I got a lot of offers, so there is a
fair bit of choice for me. Should I go with mileage (which you can’t
verify), or would 6 months warranty instead of the usual breakers
three be something to make me choose their offer? On the other hand,
just how exactly do you return an engine under warranty that’s now in
your car? Some of the offers were from 400 miles away. I want to get
this right, as this will basically dictate how the next year or so of
the cars life goes!

If I buy the same identical engine, will it be the same for insurance
purposes? I know I have to tell them (& Swansea) of the change, but
I’d rather not be listed as having a “modified” car if I can avoid it.

Has anyone else been through this that can offer some pointers? My
friendly local mechanic is put me in touch with a mate of his to do
the work, estimates about 350-400 pounds, it that reasonable? Both
mechanics want to have nothing to do with the selection of the engine
though.

Thanks in advance,

Fraser.

 

This is a bit long but make your mind up. It doesn't answer the question
about engine replacement but does give an alternative.

The first week of January 2005 I suffered a similar fate and was towed back
to my local independent garage by the AA, God bless 'em. I have the V6 auto,
same year 1998. It was diagnosed as a moved piston liner which had blown the
head. This was reskimmed, new bits, labour etc. and the other head was also
checked. This totalled £1400 and includes a years warranty.
However before it was returned a leak from the gearbox was also discovered,
in fact the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. This was why I called for
the AA originally. I quote an internal filter had started to disintegrate
and had reaked havoc. (Aparently not an uncommon occurence with auto gear
boxes). This was also renewed for £1100 including a years warranty.

Is it worth it? Well I couldn't replace the car, or sell it or trade it in
for that figure?

Your query to the cost. Is the mechanic qualified to undertake the work ?
As a spotty youth I'd rebuilt engines but then they were cast iron and
basically most parts came from a scrapyard. But the V6 is all aluminium and
not to be trusted to the unprofessional. Even my mechanic sent my car away
to the specialist.

Incidentally my mileage is 84K

 

Just a thought, had you considered a reconditioned cylinder head. It ought
to be cheaper than a complete engine. Try a Google search.

 

I had to replace the engine in my 306 DTurbo after a cylinder head failure.
Choosing a replacement engine is a bit of a lottery & I would suggest
getting a new / recon head if possible as this should be cheaper to do &
less likely to cause problems. Returning an engine would obviously be a big
hassle & costly too. Plus, it would mean that your car is off the road for
a long time.

Buying a like for like engine will cost nothing more on the insurance, but
you do have to let your insurance company know about it & send your V5
(logbook) to the DVLA with the new engine number.

I'd say that 350-400 pounds is very reasonable. Me & my dad did the job on
my car & even though he has a lot of experience in car repairs, it took
almost 3 weeks of hard work.

The mechanics will have nothing to do with selecting the engine because
they realize there is a big risk of getting a dud, even from a very
reputable supplier. They don't want to be liable for something they have no
control over.

I hope this helps,
JG

 

Thanks for the info folks, appreciated! It seems I’m stuck with it, if
I were to clear the finance and auction it as is, I would be out of
pocket by £1000 I reckon. I’d then have to get another car, and unless
I spent big bucks on it, I’d be setting myself up for more problems.
I’m not sure I’m still going to be needing a car in six months time,
so the plan was to run the current one until then.

I did suggest just getting a replacement head for it to my mechanic,
but he wasn’t keen. I may have another chat with him about it, some
friends also suggested this. I’m not too sure why exactly he was
against it, I think it was because of the previous problems with the
engine. Can anyone provide more info on when you would do one and not
the other? What’s the cost difference between the whole engine vs.
just the head? The damage was done 6 miles into a 10 min journey
(motorway) starting with the engine cold, so I don’t think it was
cooked all that much.

The first head gasket problem stemed from a cracked radiator pipe that
was damaged during a service (slow leak when under pressure). This
time I have no idea what lead to the overheating. It’s not as though I
could check the coolant level when most of it was on the road!!
I’ll be watching the gauges like a hawk once it’s back on the road.

Unfortunately, I don’t know if the mechanic can do the work, I’ve
never met the guy! However, my usual mechanic is one of the good guys,
so I think he’d push me over to someone that was up to the task.
Hopefully!

 

If the mechanic comes from a reliable source. Then he must be worth
considering. Although not always worth the paper etc. has he AA, RAC etc
validation?

 

Hi

There must be an accident damaged 1.8 16 valve Peugeot or Citroen in a
scrap yard somewhere you can get the engine from?

All those 306, 406, Xsaras & Xantias that have been written off over the
years, Theres got to be a decent engine somewhere?

 

Oh, there are plenty engines out there, just don’t want a turkey! In
the end I got one shipped up, allegedly approx 50,000 on it. I stuck
with a Peugeot one as both engines have the car makers logo rather
prominently on them. Figured that a Citroen badge on a Peugeot’s
engine might make the car hard to sell!

Thanks to all who helped. Fingers crossed it all goes well!

 

just being nosey what price did you pay for the engine?

 

300 mate. The quotes ranged from 250 to 400, all inc VAT & delivery.
Only pain about the process was that the breakers sites I queried were
affiliated with many different breakers, and I got about 10-15 offers.
Was a right pain trying to keep track of who was who, phone was red
hot that morning!