Seeking advice on engine rebuild (Subaru.. and rebuild done)

[Scyan]

I'm sorry, I know this is not related in any ways to saturn but I am seeking advice for my sister and brother in law who I think recently got shafted by a garage for a 1997 Legacy GT engine rebuild.

I will not give you all the details as they are irrelevant at this point and I do not seek advice in them but rather on the repair itself.

They asked a garage to do an engine rebuild on their 2.5 liter subaru engine after not being able to find a used engine to go in. They were quoted 4000 $ can at Subaru to do the completed rebuild. The garage were they went said he would be able to do it way under that amount and would also garantee his work. They went with the garage instead of the dealer as they had dealt with him in the past and had good service.

Well, last week they asked the garage if he had finished and he mentionned all was done. Problem is, the engine is now emitting some clacking (you know, the sound it makes when not enough oil is going to the head...) noise, whiche seems to be coming from the valves. But he said it was rather coming from the camsahft ?? Is that remotely possible ? And also, when rebuilding an engine, if you're not replacing all the parts, would you at least verify that all of them are still ok, clearance while ?

Here is the list of stuff he charged, changed. Hope you can make it out allright.

2 oil changes 49.98$
Engine machining 200.00$
Verify engine head 1 83.00$
1 prestone galon 12.95$
Transmission oil (automatic) 7.95$
28 hours work, engine rebuild 1260.00$
Misc. 20.00$
Valves shims 96.30$
oil gauge 17.74$
oil dipstick 28.30$
timing belt Tensionner 177.89$
Pipe cp-wat byp 36.55$
Hose 10.78$
Hose 9.42$
Sense aasy nock 118.32$
Gsk rocker cvr 2x 31.38$
Gsk rocker cvr 11.55$
Piston set 505.80$
Ring 312.26$
Bering set conn crd 300.33$
Bering set crank shaft 122.15$
Gasket kit 434.60$

Total 3947.25$
Tps 276.31$
Tvq 316.79$
Grand total 4540.35$

I guess I do have another question, what is usually ''included'' in an engine rebuild is there is such a thing... ??

thanks a lot in advance,

Scy

[ssicarman]

If the engine is making abnormal noises then he should be putting it right seeing as he has rebuilt it. No ifs ands or buts. Your parts list has valve shims on it which may mean that (I'm not familiar enough with Subaru engines to know if they are hydralic lifters or mechanical with adjustment shims but with the valve shims listed then I would suspect that they adjust by shims) he has not got the valve clearances right. The noise coming from the camshaft could certainly be incorrectly adjusted mechanical lifters because they would be riding on the cams. Each engine rebuild can vary as to what it needs but there should be a certain amount of common new parts like bearings, rings, seals, gaskets etc.

[wolfman]

$422.+ JUST for the rod and crank bearings! (Are they GOLD plated or what?) Remind me NOT to buy a Subaru!

[ssicarman]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Japanese cars. I have done an estimate on a 2000 or so MY Trooper engine for a complete rebuild?? Basicly a new enigne in a box--short block plus heads and cams and EVERYTHING (Blowed up good---REAL GOOD) 15,000 dollars or so in parts.

[Twin_Cam]

Not to mention the $118 knock sensor, $434 gaskets, and $177 tensioner. Wow, I'm NEVER buying a Subie.

I agree with ssicarman. He did it, he fixes it.

[MaxSL2]

I would like to know why would they need to be charged for an oil dipstick in an engine rebuild - was it below tolerances as well?

[Scyan]

You know what, that's a very good question as well !!

I'll have them ask the question.. I simply thought the other one was dead since the engine overheated...

[SaturnTech]

Has the car been driven any length of time yet? If the lifters are hydraulic they may just not have pumped up yet and they will clatter like hell until they do. It takes some driving with the engine under a load to pump them up and quiet them down. Sounds like someone here got boned....his mistake, the next rebuild of his screw up is on him sounds like. I Would definitely inquire as to where parts were purchased and verify the ridiculous cost of those parts....geez....

[Scyan]

The car has been driven a lot since the rebuild, the garage owner insisted on it. Also, the prices you see there are in Canadian dollars, so it is a bit higher because of that.

They are going to go to court with that, the owner told them it would not be over 3000 plus tax and it is now 4600 $. They refuse to pay that amount and I understand them very well. They had even found a rebuilt engine for 2500 $ that he would have had to install. He said that rebuilding it himself would be a lot cheaper... 4600 $ ??? Wow was he wrong. Anyways, anyone knows how long it takes to replace an engine by another one in an automatic subbie, 1997 GT AWD...

Scy