Motor (box) to replace the standard: cheap! What is the ambush?

Engines, gearboxes and other factory-assembled units taken off the ground in accidents are considered contracted.

Theoretically, the one who sells them is not obliged to climb in and change something there – it will turn out to be an already restored unit.

In reality, under the guise of “contract”, we sell everything one after the other – both contracts, usually taken from abroad, and capitalized and removed from stolen cars.

When they are needed

The demand for contract units is high and stable. Because they are much cheaper than new ones, and a contract engine is sometimes cheaper than a short block (the lower part with a crankshaft and a piston group). Although it contains this very short block.

Sometimes buying a contract unit is cheaper than a major overhaul. At least when it comes to complex engines with a large volume, when the final score (parts plus labor) is expressed in a six-digit sum. Let’s say there is a certain old SUV: the body will still serve, and the resource of the V6 engine has been exhausted. A new one costs about 500,000 rubles, repairs can cost 300-400 thousand rubles. A contract is offered for 150-200 thousand.

In any case, the replacement of a defective unit with a contract unit is relevant in case of irreversible mechanical damage:

• when a connecting rod breaks with a pierced block wall;
• cracks in the block;
• damage to the crankshaft bed caused by scoring of the liner.

For gearboxes, the main reasons are cracks in housings, destruction of seating surfaces, massive damage to gears and clutches.

This happens quite rarely, but it does happen. And more often it is on older cars with high mileage. It is somehow illogical to cram a new engine into a dilapidated body that costs more than the whole car.

What about prices?

All the contract units have different mileage, so the prices are kind of vague, the fork is very big. Some landmarks can still be set.

Mass engine Hyundai 1.6 G4FC used on various Hyundai / Kia models – from Rio to Soul. For a new one in October, they asked for 120-140 thousand rubles. The cost of a contract with a declared mileage of about 100 thousand km is 55-85 thousand rubles.

Just as ordinary supercharged engine Volkswagen 1.4 CAXA (Tiguan, Jetta, Golf, Passat, Yeti, Octavia, Rapid and other models). New in the collection – from 175 thousand rubles. Contract with a run of about 100 thousand km – 70-120 thousand rubles.

Prices are not final as many companies are willing to buy out the native faulty motor – and this is factored into the final price.

There is no shortage of offers, and the largest selection is for Japanese models, including right-hand drive models. Little offer, prefer new engines. In particular, we could not find a new Mitsubishi 2.4 4B12 engine for sale – it seems that it is simply not in our warehouses. But contract – the sea (95-150 thousand rubles).

What to look for – 8 important points

1. Good sellers ask a lot of questions so that disagreements and claims do not arise later. They are especially interested VIN code, body and engine number, a set of attachments and features of the attachment (for the same engine they may differ). If they don’t ask, it’s better to change the seller.
2. Good sellers are happy to provide a new photo of a particular product in good resolution, and the best also offer a video of the device in operation. In fact, neither one nor the other guarantees anything. It is advisable to inspect the device under power – personally and with the help of an endoscope.
3. Please specify how long the engine has been in the warehouse and under what conditions it has been stored – a long stay on the street adversely affects its condition (condensation, hardened gaskets, and so on).
4. To check legibility of the serial number and ensure that the set is secured. Sometimes the photo shows a complete unit and something is already missing when you buy it.
5. The unit doesn’t have to be perfectly clean – usually no one washes all the perennial layers. But also too dirty. Rust is not a reason to refuse a purchase. Something can tell the state of the sealant on the joints. The factory seal has been applied very carefully. If the picture is different, the motor may have been opened to solve some problems.
6. There should be no overt soot, cloudy emulsion, brown clots in the oil filler neck. The throttle body should also be clean. Although this is not saying anything, knowing that these places are checked, sellers usually clean them thoroughly.
7. If that is possible check the condition of the seals (head and oil sump gaskets), bolts and clamps. There may be cracks in the mounting points – this is not good.
8. Ideally, you measure the compression in the cylinders. It is not always and not everywhere possible to conclude the purchase agreement, rather the opposite. But immediately after installing a contract engine on a car, it is a must. Also change the oil and filter. Candles – depending on their condition.

Safety precautions

The inevitability of reconciling the engine number in the MREO is fraught with the threat of revealing it was once on a stolen car. This is the main reason not to buy a motor off hand or at a showdown – from sellers who cannot confirm the origin with papers. If the motorcycle is found to be stolen, the vehicle will be impounded and sent to a dedicated parking lot until the circumstances are clarified. A broken number is also an article of the Criminal Code and similar consequences.

Buying contract engines is often referred to as a lottery. So it is, if you ignore basic caution and buy everywhere. But in general, the country is full of large specialized companies involved in the supply of contract units – absolutely honest and in good working order.

Preference is given to companies that have been active for a long time. Many have customer reviews. Payment – only via bank details, under no circumstances transfer money to a card.

Which guarantees?

Most normal companies give a short warranty to check the performance of the device – up to a month or a certain mileage.

During this time, it would be good to get a diagnosis – and if something goes wrong, take action.

And ideally, at least have a video of the endoscope beforehand, since they cost a penny today.

FINDINGS

You can list the disadvantages of contract engines for a long time. The main one is still purely practical – it is not known how long the device has served and how long it will last.

However, in most cases, buyers are satisfied. In a hopeless situation, when the car breaks down and you have to drive, this is often the simplest and most affordable solution.

This publication describes how to register a contract engine.

• The engine and gearbox last longer – here are 8 simple tips.
• “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Telegram.