I'm considering buying a Focus 2.3 Duratec out here in the states. Saw one today and the owner told me it had had a new engine. Jiffy lube put on a longer oil filter and the owner drove over a tall sleeping policeman walloping the filter - thus the engine seized. new engine was fitted under warranty.

Any thoughts on this - the repair was done by a dealer, the head etc looks original so I guess they would have fitted a new block and pistons? What usually seizes on lack of oil and what kind of damage is done?

 

Aw come on - some one msut know what damage would be done if an engine seized??

 

Usually when a engine fucks up the dealer dont fix it, they just put in a brand new engine.

Esp as if its dropped its oil the engine would more than likely be good as scrap, totally fucked, esp if driven till seized.

 

jsut got an e-mail back from the owner. Everything apart from the top end and the block was replaced. But surely if the engine seizes whilst the cars in motion it'd do some damage to the clutch/transmission too?! everything locks solid at 40mph?!
Also wouldn the bore linings be scored from the seizure?

 

The bores can either be taken out and then linered back, or taken out and then larger pistons used.

OFten with a seizure though you just need a hone as its the bearings on the crank that seize.

Seize is a bad word though, they dont normally lock solid they just grind to a halt, transmission should be fine, as the tyres act as a safety net, by just locking up and skidding, but as i said i doubt it seized that solidly that quickly anyway.

 

wouldnt there be any cam wear etc, as the top end would be first to run dry surely?

 

One would hope they replaced the cam bearings as a matter of course, the cams though are probably fine, as they arent under much load, so would take longer to damage than the crank, the oil pickup is in the same place for the whole engine so they wouldnt really have had any less oil than the crank.

 

Thanks guys - its not filling me with much confidence I have to say - to buy or not to buy thats the question