So my Ep finally bit the dust...

[chucki]

I have recently joined the site and was amazed at how much information was available here. But unfortunately, today, my Ep3 bites the dust at 356k Kms.

I was driving normally, just gradually accelerating when suddenly, the engine lost all power, all the dash lights went on... then it stalled. Pulled over using my remaining momentum and tried to start it again but no luck. I can hear the starter trying hard to turn over.. maybe 2-3 times, then it gave up. Tried it again a few hours later, still the same results. I know it is not a battery problem, everything is on, and the fan was working fine.

Now, I am aware of the following issues before this happened:

-Very noisy engine, probably needed a valve adjustment pretty bad
-Serpentine belt is a bit worn and noisy as well
-Experienced ONE time of the "supercharger" like whine from the belt area, possibly a tensioner telling me it might be dying soon
-It's got 356k kms (obvious)

Now, I am wondering, if the tensioner, or the pulleys for the accessories seized up, would that kill the engine on the spot? possibly making my car unable to start as well? The belt is fine, the tension on the belt is fine as well. I am just not sure what may have caused this, it just seemed to sudden to me.

I am not too sure what I can do at this point, but I have been calling around for replacement A3 (I am not really into performance, and I think the stock A3 is good enough for my daily needs). That is most likely the route I will go but for the time being, what do you guys think could have caused this?


Thanks!

[RHCP0801]

timing chain tensioner failure, happened to me when i was just leaving a stop sign at normal speed

[huevo3]

That's a bummer:( My car just died too. The bright side is I got an ep3!

[AKEP]

sooo, have you started checking anything yet?

[Type_R_Nammer]

Holy crap that's a lot of mileage on the ep3. Any current pictures of the car?

[Onasty]

yea thats lot of mileage

[fobman]

holy moly
where the hell have u been driving around to? lol

[chucki]

timing chain tensioner failure, happened to me when i was just leaving a stop sign at normal speed

Bah, that does seem likely but I have yet to open the valve cover to see the inside. I am hoping it's fairly in tact. By the way, I did not hear any knocking or sound of metal colliding, just a very abrupt stall.

[chucki]

sooo, have you started checking anything yet?

I am way too busy with school and final exams right now, but I will be working on the car during my 3 week break. I will take pictures then for you guys to see

[chucki]

Holy crap that's a lot of mileage on the ep3. Any current pictures of the car?

Hey hey ! I recognize this name from revscene, you are the one with the del sol right?

Images: Sorry for the crappy cell-phone pictures

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3628/img00010201010250950.jpg
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9496/img00011201010250950.jpg

[chucki]

By the way, for those who live in Vancouver, BC. Where do you guys recommend for finding a replacement engine? I called JK japanese auto parts but I heard they are not that great in service, what do you guys recommend?

[fobman]

By the way, for those who live in Vancouver, BC. Where do you guys recommend for finding a replacement engine? I called JK japanese auto parts but I heard they are not that great in service, what do you guys recommend?

try calling evogarage i think they have a engine for sale there

[GooseTKD08]

You kno it might be the timing chain that went bad if you never replaced it. if it breaks, your timing goes out giving you that bad stalling but maybe not metal "symphony" haha then again if it broke, most likely it screwed the head to pieces

[chucki]

You kno it might be the timing chain that went bad if you never replaced it. if it breaks, your timing goes out giving you that bad stalling but maybe not metal "symphony" haha then again if it broke, most likely it screwed the head to pieces

Yeah I hope it's not that, but it does sound quite likely. I will be opening up the valve cover to check things out in a couple days and I might be able to post some pictures as well.

[crazysmm89]

hey man
wish u best of luck with ur car and school
check this one out

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/pts/2027501899.html

i think its retty cheap for an engine.. id rather buy it from a person than a junkyard... cuz the junkyard has no clue where its been

[chucki]

UPDATE!

So, school is over and I finally have time to take a closer look at the car.

#1: SURPRISE! I invited a friend over to help diagnose the problem and when I tried to show him the "weak cranking noise" .... The car started right up! What the hell!? Remember, I was driving not too long ago, and everything stopped apart from the electrical, and it wouldn't start for the 4-5 attempts thereafter. This resulted in my vehicle being towed to my house.

#2: Since it started, we thought it might be a good idea just to check out the general health of the engine anyway. The valve cover is off......and BAM!
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/chucki88/IMG00045-20101216-2118.jpg
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/chucki88/IMG00044-20101216-2117.jpg
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/chucki88/IMG00041-20101216-2117.jpg
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/chucki88/IMG00040-20101216-2116.jpg


That has got to be one of the worst looking camshafts I've ever seen. It's all good though, I am planning to have the engine swapped for an identical one anyway. Now, regarding the swap, what do you guys think would be a fair charge for labor?

[T_Virus]

charge for labor? My advise if your going to swap to the same motor, why not have the other ephatchers in your area help you swap it for beer and pizza? That way it would be cheaper.

[oldschoolimport]

Yeah, seriously. Its a half day job. Especially with plenty of help. Surely some folks will lend a hand.

[AUTiger]

save the labor costs and put it towards a k24a1 and run it with 310cc injectors and your stock ecu. As long as you don't have any bolt-ons it should run just fine and give you more of a grunt or even a k24a4.

[chucki]

charge for labor? My advise if your going to swap to the same motor, why not have the other ephatchers in your area help you swap it for beer and pizza? That way it would be cheaper.

Although that is the ideal case, I don't think there are enough ep owners out here. I mean, I even have access to an engine hoist and all... Oh well.

[fobman]

i wish i can help
but i am so noob when it comes to auto engine stuffs

[superchargedk20]

to bad u live so far away. Ive been sitting on a k20a3 for so long that i want just gone. Even has stage 2 cams installed

[Tortoise]

to bad u live so far away. Ive been sitting on a k20a3 for so long that i want just gone. Even has stage 2 cams installed

Where are you located? Need an a3!

[chucki]

to bad u live so far away. Ive been sitting on a k20a3 for so long that i want just gone. Even has stage 2 cams installed

where abouts are you located?