Hi all

After suffering sudden big end bearing failure I have been trying to decide if I should replace the engine in my 96 9000 Aero auto or break it. After weeks of deliberation I've decided to replace the engine. I've only had it a few months but I've become rather attached to it so I just can't bring myself to split it. The last owner spent a fortune getting it resprayed and it seems a shame to waste such a nice body.


I'm going to remove the sump and see how things are down there and also check the timing chain. The donor engine has 86k on it so I'm hopeful that all should be ok. Obviously going to change the belt, filters, plugs etc. Also planning to run some engine flush through it and pour some nice fully synthetic oil in. I've ordered the filter kit for the auto box so I can change the fluid in that too. Also thought it would be a good time to do the bushes too so have ordered a full set of polys which should arrive tomorrow and early next week.

So my question is this, anyone got any hints, tips and watch out for's? Any info at all will be very much appreciated. I've never attempted anything on this scale before but I'm reasonably practical and have a bit of common sense so I reckon if I take my time and take heed of any advice you fine people offer I'll manage it...... eventually.....

Thanks in advance
Conrad

I would suggest dropping the subframe out of the car with the engine, box and steering rack still attached. It will give you much better access to all the important bits so you can work on it all in relative comfort. Dropping the subframe can be done in about 3 hours but it does require a fair bit of space, a good hoist and a bit of bravery! Ive seen a complete subframe transplant done in under 6 hours and the car was running again and drivable in 8 hours. There was a team of 8 people though...

i changed an engine in a 9000 about 5 years ago for the same reason, i did it on my own out on the road in about 2 days. and really dont think it needs the sub frame removed, found it very easy with nothing to difficult to do, i would just say take your time and you will find it straight forward. i did and im just diy mechanic

Well I've just been for my first good look at the new engine. Not happy. 2 manifold studs are snapped off and the rest look like they will if I touch them. There's only a drop of oil in the sump and it's way too clean. Oil leaks all round the head and the plugs have black deposits all over them so I reckon the piston rings are probably on their way out. Overall it looks like it's been lying out of a car for an age.

I'll be phoning the yard I got it from tomorrow and getting my money back.

So it looks like I'm back where I started, stuck with a nice car with a dead engine.

Anyone know of any low mileage 9000's that have been rear ended?

Bleh. Sorry to hear that, mate. Hope you find a decent donor car.