The initial problem was a check engine light after a rough start. Scan said misfire. I think there are many things that can cause a misfire besides a failing head gasket, Like all of the items I replaced. All of those items were due for a cleaning or replacement. I went the more expensive route. Lol I think the only way to check the head gasket is to crack it open and look. I’m fully aware the I could have just bought a used engine that could easily put me back to square one. I’m curious to open up the original for a gander. Lol Will do. 275k deserves a new water pump. I am definitely one to fire the parts on canon for just about anything. I am no mechanic. I am a competent parts replacer at best. I think someone like myself and others wish they had the time expertise to fully and accurately diagnose a problem before going full nut job and buying any and everything new. Most of what I bought could have been cleaned but man I’m not sure if you’ve seen a 275k mile egr valve and cooler but I’m thinking it would have been at least 2 cases of brake cleaner the good stuff the kind you can’t get in California. I also think people enjoy doing something even if it’s not what actually needed to be done. However, all the things I did either needed to be replaced or cleaned. I went for replacement. I guess I was hoping my engine wasn’t going to be the one that needed the head gasket. WAMP. The forum was right though it doesn’t go slowly into that good night. lol.
'Tis true, 'back to square one', as in you now have a second used engine with a pending head gasket failure. That's the part I don't understand about buying yet another used engine. You had the exact same thing a few months ago before the original engine started using coolant.....
You are right. I should deck the “new” used engine and replace its head gasket. I’m in no rush and truth be told, I will probably be giving the car to a guy that works for me. Maybe that’s why I am doing the bare minimum to get it back running.
Full disclosure. As previously stated I’m at best a competent parts replacer. I purchased a long block so I think it will be easier just to remove the old and put in the new, rather then removing everything on the old engine and not remembering how to put it back together with out a large bag of clips and bolts bag of shame. lol
But it you're doing this work, why not do it on the used engine you have right now, in your car? Why buy a whole different used engine, with unknown service records and oil consumption???
Perhaps you can sell your used engine to someone else, then they will have a "new" used engine. It will work fine! Unless you get a 2015 engine, you have the weak piston rings to be concerned with. "IF" the head on your engine is not warped or cracked, you can reseat the valves, replace he valve stem seals, clean the surface and install it on the NEW short block. Or get a remanufactured one from the hybrid pit.
Because it will be a lot easier to just remove and replace then bless it and send it on its way. Lol. I’m wishing for the best.
?? Which engine are you talking about? The used engine you are driving with in you car now? Or the second used engine you would have in your possession ? Sounds like a round about way to replace a head gasket that is failing or will fail at some point..... Could it be we're all just yapping about an inherent fault with the design of the block/head/head gasket? Maybe this is a failure point regardless of 'EGR Cleaning'.......
Nothing wrong with yapping. What would you say should be the life expectancy of a well maintained engine. Maintained meaning oil changes, spark plugs and coil packs. I live in the Midwest. Rust is the killer of all cars. I had my father’s 1987 Mazda 626 the wheel well rusted completely through so that the weight of the car was separating the wheel well from the rest of the body. 247k miles. It was burning oil. But great car.
A friend has a Gen2 with over 600k miles before it was totaled. It sounds like a Gen3 engine is not capable of doing that without the head gasket being replaced at some point.
