Finding and preparing a new to me AMF
- Thread starter Little Dog
- Start date
PlasticMac
Admin Team
Take the head off yours, and you'll know what damage if any, has been done, which from your available performance data, seems likely to be be minor at worst. That engine's done a lot of revs since glow plug gate. Anything serious would have made itself known by now.
A full refurb of the head will be considerably less expensive than an engine of unknown state. Low miles isn't everything, as your current engine shows.
Mac.
Mac.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
@Howey checked the MOT history and it has done 34k miles since glow plug gate.
@PlasticMac I'm looking for a replacement because mine is like this inside:
Bore pitting:
Bore pitting and erosion:
Bore scoring:
Piston crown damage:
Multiple bore pitting:
Combustion chambers too are messed up too but I can't find the picture. The problem I have, while accepted it is doing well, is I don't see how it's durability can't be compromised while in this state. Goodness knows what state the turbo turbine may be in, all that missing metal has passed through it.
@PlasticMac I'm looking for a replacement because mine is like this inside:
Bore pitting:
Bore pitting and erosion:
Bore scoring:
Piston crown damage:
Multiple bore pitting:
Combustion chambers too are messed up too but I can't find the picture. The problem I have, while accepted it is doing well, is I don't see how it's durability can't be compromised while in this state. Goodness knows what state the turbo turbine may be in, all that missing metal has passed through it.
Howey
Member
Granted having a replacement engine is never a bad thing, if your current engine isn't burning oil and turbo not noisy I wouldn't be too concerned but the insurance of a good lump to throw in sat waiting is bliss in my eyes!
PlasticMac
Admin Team
Agree, it looks bad, but those pics are scaled up a bit. Otherwise, it looks good. Check the actual boost against requested, if there's turbo damage, you'll see it there, but you'd have felt it by now.
Just seems a lot of expense, when, from MoT emmissions data, it in good health.
But, I can understand your doubts, and only a swap will restore your mind at rest.
Mac.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
I think many others are thinking that way too, good to jave a lump in reserve. I’m sure there ate many good AMFs in garages waiting for the owners to realise they will never need them.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
Yep that is the way I’m thinking. But as it still runs well I don’t feel the pressure to secure one and they keep slipping by.
trevorswaine
Member
Very low emission ! But I note that your garage put the limit at 3.0 l/m - for the last few years the garages that I've been to have put 2.5 l/m as the limit. No problem for me but which is correct?
Howey
Member
3.0 is default for turbo diesel engined vehicles
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
I had to google torsion value, no I don't set this. I'm not even sure my electronic box of tricks will measure it.
Interesting, https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing...on value' as displayed in,or very close to it.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
I do believe I have found one, the history is very sketchy, but the seller is knowledgable. He has driven the engine and reports are good. 
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
Got one at long last, thanks @A2Steve. I was a little concerned about how grubby it is compared to my 180k mile AMF. If I had been at a commercial breaker I would have rejected it. However Steve has driven it and sniff tested it and it checks out fine. Details to follow when I have access to a PC.
As it took the equivalent of 3 * me to get it in I will be working on it in there until the weight comes off:
So in the short term I will be driving:
As it took the equivalent of 3 * me to get it in I will be working on it in there until the weight comes off:
So in the short term I will be driving:
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CrispyEdd
Member
I can say from experience of my engine swap, it's extremely rewarding! (Despite my turbo failing out of the blue)
Which leads me to say its well worth changing as many things as you can afford to for new or as new. The joy of working on and engine when it's off the car is a brilliant opportunity. I am sure you will though work so far seems very meticulous!
Look forward to the thread progress, great stuff and good luck.
Which leads me to say its well worth changing as many things as you can afford to for new or as new. The joy of working on and engine when it's off the car is a brilliant opportunity. I am sure you will though work so far seems very meticulous!
Look forward to the thread progress, great stuff and good luck.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
It’s my job to cook Sunday lunch. But I parked the Merc on the garden and tidied up after the trip yesterday to collect the engine.I can say from experience of my engine swap, it's extremely rewarding! (Despite my turbo failing out of the blue)
Which leads me to say its well worth changing as many things as you can afford to for new or as new. The joy of working on and engine when it's off the car is a brilliant opportunity. I am sure you will though work so far seems very meticulous!
Look forward to the thread progress, great stuff and good luck.
Took a break from cooking and stripped the front of the engine. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Much easier than working on an engine in a car.
I bought loads of parts to revitalise my 180k AMF before I bore scoped it. They will go on this engine assuming, and I think it will, this engine also passes a bore scope.
Time to finish Sunday (late) lunch.
Little Dog
A2OC Donor
I have the PC for a brief update. Let me say before I report findings that @A2Steve made it absolutely clear there is no history with this engine and he could only advise what the previous owner reported. He did however drive it and it behaved fine and it passed a sniff test. I accepted all of that; what did I buy.
Oh by the way I spotted most of this, Steve offered to make good but my response was; I have one of them.
The engine has ben knocked about a bit; apparently it had to come out quickly and this is evidenced by saleable pipes having been cut. The fuel pipes were bent but also this cooling pipe is cracked. I think also caused by the same impact. I have both.
Oil cooler pipes deformed. I think I said I had one but Steve must have put one in my car while I was looking for my glasses. I now have three, two good and one bent
Glow plugs smothered with penetrating oil. The are all 12V so that is good; Steve got one out so hopefully the other two come out too. One cream crackered glow plug hood. I have a set.
Oh; no hole for the oil level sensor thing. That's OK I have one but I may try and drill and tap this one.
Max Windy-Gun has left his calling card here. Three threads unusable, one completely gone. I have a good casting.
LUK pump, apparently not leaking diesel. May help confirm the circa 90K milage. Will replace with my low mileage Bosch.
A strange gap between the cam cover gasket and cylinder head but no apparent leaks:
Will report more.
I'm having to learn not everybody looks after an engine like I do. This will be the only engine I'm running that I didn't buy new and have not maintained myself.
Oh by the way I spotted most of this, Steve offered to make good but my response was; I have one of them.
The engine has ben knocked about a bit; apparently it had to come out quickly and this is evidenced by saleable pipes having been cut. The fuel pipes were bent but also this cooling pipe is cracked. I think also caused by the same impact. I have both.
Oil cooler pipes deformed. I think I said I had one but Steve must have put one in my car while I was looking for my glasses. I now have three, two good and one bent
Glow plugs smothered with penetrating oil. The are all 12V so that is good; Steve got one out so hopefully the other two come out too. One cream crackered glow plug hood. I have a set.
Oh; no hole for the oil level sensor thing. That's OK I have one but I may try and drill and tap this one.
Max Windy-Gun has left his calling card here. Three threads unusable, one completely gone. I have a good casting.
LUK pump, apparently not leaking diesel. May help confirm the circa 90K milage. Will replace with my low mileage Bosch.
A strange gap between the cam cover gasket and cylinder head but no apparent leaks:
Will report more.
I'm having to learn not everybody looks after an engine like I do. This will be the only engine I'm running that I didn't buy new and have not maintained myself.
Attachments
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Little Dog
A2OC Donor
Interesting this one, Ill post the details as I progress. The engine appears to have been manufactured early 2003 with the head being cast 2002 which is feasible.
The dipstick tube however is dated 1999, the oil filter housing is dated 2000 and the sump has been replaced at some time but I don’t have a date yet.
It feels like a 2000 A2 AMF was used to build a Fabia engine for use in an A2. Not sure if this would have been a necessity or if parts of the engine were accident damaged.
Edit, the oil level sensor work around I have no knowledge of. I just know I have not found a sensor nor a blanked hole to put one in. It looks like it should be in the front seal housing. If so I will transfer my housing to this engine.
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