engine replacement | Ask Honest John

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Most recently answered engine replacement questions

Spark plug was smashed after being hit by a piston - does this require an entire engine rebuild?

I have a 2011 Vauxhall Astra that went into limp mode when I was going about 65mph. I pulled it off the road and the car would not start, it would crank but not ignite. After being recovered home I had...

My engine needs replaced - is the garage that changed the timing belt, but not water pump, at fault?

When I agreed last October to buy a Saab 9-3 TID convertible with 69,000 miles, the garage agreed to change the timing belt. The engine cut out and stopped working last week, AA discovered it was the timing...

My Ford Focus needs a new engine because of a coolant leak - any advice?

I've got a 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost - it went in for a service and MoT but came back with the engine vibrating when turned on. After several trips to the garage they've worked out It's losing coolant....

I bought a replacement engine but it's faulty. What are my rights?

My Vauxhall Insignia overheated and the garage says the head gasket has gone. They did the job then said it was now the bottom block and needed an engine. I bought an engine online and they delivered it...

The engine in my Land Rover Discovery Sport has had to be replaced - should I be worried?

I purchased a new Land Rover Discovery sport 2.0 TD4 SE in January 2016. It went for its 1st service in March this year. The dealer said they had detected an engine noise (which I had not). They said that...

How much would a timing belt replacement on a 2004 Renault Trafic cost?

The timing belt snapped on my 2004 Renault Trafic, it's only done 56,000 miles. How much might it cost to fix?

Can I reject my Jaguar XJ based on the grounds that the dealer didn't disclose the true service history?

I bought a Jaguar XJ 2.7 TDVi for £15,500 from a main Jaguar Dealer. I was told it had full dealer service history, having been regularly serviced by them. It did not come with a service book but I have...

Is my MINI worth keeping if the engine needs replacing?

I own a 2008 MINI Cooper which looks great but is worth scrap value as it has a porous aluminium head just diagnosed. The car has cost us £3000 in the last three years and this is the final straw. It has...

Volkswagen California engine failure - repair or reject?

My Volkswagen California camper van is 10 weeks old and needs a new engine due to the failure of the exhaust gas recycling valve causing coolant to be drawn into the block. How confident can I be with...