New Engine - How much and is it worth it?

johnl · 2011-10-13T06:39:58+00:00

Posted on here about 2 months ago about trouble with the wifes 68 Beetle. Mechanic had heaps of problems "fixing" the car with a lot of replacement parts. Long story short - wife has said that it was running very rough. Took it to the mechanic today and he advised a new engine. Said it would cost about $6,800. Reckons the problem is internal and it would cost too much to fix and not worth it. Said that the engine had been somewhat dodgly done in the first place. Now my questions are: What would a mechanic normally charge for this kind of job? Can you get a new engine from the US? Is it worth getting a reconditioned one and have a mechanic put it in? A VW beetle that runs rough but is in good nick body wise, what would it be worth? I guess the first thing would be to get another opinion. Some will advise to fit an engine myself. Not an option as I will not be succesful and the dog does need the kicking around the yard at the moment. Any advice would be welcomed.

johnl Slammed & Awesome Dubber

75 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 23 Oct 2011, 2:23 pm

#868278

Ok the wash was that I did not need a new engine. Said the timing was out and the gap in the points needed adjusting. Also the air filter was not allowing enough air in so he replaced that. Suspected on of the main issues was that the fuel line had a kink in it that restricted the fuel flow. Not sure how that could have happened all of a sudden.
Adjusted the tappets, replaced fuel line and filter and a few other things not really related.
All up cost me about $850. Cheaper than a new engine but couple that with the $1700 I paid a few months ago I would have been better off getting new engine. Hindsight huh????

The air filter is something I have never seen before. Big red foam type that requires oiling every 5,000ks. I think I will replace that with something a little more conventional.

The car is the best it ever has so fingers crossed....

Thanks for all the advice and help.

John

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silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 23 Oct 2011, 2:34 pm

#868279

good result! glad everything worked out

Keeping it real !

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 23 Oct 2011, 8:24 pm

#868333

Glad VW Performance cure the problem 🙂 Tis hard to find an honest mechanic these days and thats no lie.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 23 Oct 2011, 8:36 pm

#868338

Scary to think a mechanic just went straight for the full re-build card when all that was wrong really was a few service items and a dodgy fuel line.... got to be careful hey.... good to hear though.