Kinda new to this subforum I've never really had any problems with my car, but!!

A valved burned out in my engine. Meaning one of the cylinders died.

Now there is nothing else really wrong with my car. I was TOLD that my car has nothing but problems and I should sell it for as much as I can get because it doesn't run. There is a rust spot 6 inches across by 2 inches in height. In front of the back right tire (where rusting on most civics occur)

I can get a JDM engine with 45k-55k miles for $650. However I only have a budget of $1,950. I'm not sure if it would cost more than $1,300 in labor to get a engine put in or not.

Or I can sell this car for $1,000 and try my luck at finding a good used car for $2,950 (I bought this with 95k miles for $2,800)


What do you guys think?


Also this is what I wrote on my craigslist ad see if this offers you any insight.

Perfect opportunity to learn something. Grab a buddy and either replace the engine or tear it down and see what's up with it. Civics go together like legos. I don't think you have enough to cover the labor.

Should def sell and get a Nissan Sentra

Hands down

honda engine swaps are stupid easy just do it yourself

Nissan gt-r

Wait.... What are we talking about

I would love to do something like this, however. I don't have any friends with garages or and friends that know about cars.

Plus I have 3 jobs and not much free time. Although I would LOVE to actually try and do this myself. The problem is I need a car to get to 2 of my 3 jobs maybe later in life I'll have some time to do this.

So other than doing it myself the popular consensus is to do it myself or get a Nissan sentra?

I really don't think you can get a reputable shop to swap the motor on your budget. A friend of mine just had his head gasket done at a shop and it was 1600.
Call around though. Just because it burnt a valve doesn't mean the motor is toast.

Well the fellas I was talking to said he could fix the valve for $1,200 the problem is when there is no oil the piston scars up and you could start to get shavings of metal going in your engine.

So he told me he wanted to look at the valve and see if the piston is all messed up. If it was he would call me but I don't have the budget for the full replacement or to be towing my car around town.

I would hate for them to look at it and then ask for $500 for tearing apart my engine discovering there pistons is shot too and me still be at square one.

The problem is my oil filter wasn't changed in over 20,000 miles. My car was burning oil; so every two weeks I put in two quarts. I guess the engine ran out of oil on the way back from road trip. ( Hindsight says even if your engine is burning oil change the filter too lol)

Appreciate your timely responses OEM.

This post was edited by killahj2002 on Jun 5 2013 07:50pm

I've been quoted 1000 dollars~ by three shops to replace an engine in my jeep so i think you would have enough for it

1,950 should cover everything for the swap even if you do it at a shop (at least in my area.) Its also a civic so it can't be to bad. What engine do you want exactly? Depending on what engine you want, it could save you hundreds.