legacycentral bbs

my 95 legacy is nearing 275,000 miles and is really not liking starting in the cold.

i am either going to replace the ej22 with a lower mileage one or just get a new car before next winter.

i would rather replace the motor as that could buy me a year or two to save up for a nicer car.

what should i expect to pay for a long block?

I know this isn't answering your question, but... You think engine wear is causing your cold start problems? That doesn't sound likely to me. Is there anything else wrong with your current engine?

I wouldn't pay anymore than $700. And $700 would be for a long block in exceptional condition.

That's just my opinion.

There was a '95 EJ22 for $250 local to me in N. ID...so $500 should be plenty to get you what you need.

Good luck

+1

Just as a forwarn with finding a replacement EJ22E for the 95', in 96' they began transitioning to single port exhausts. That transition also changed the valving/piston so that it became an interference engine.

You may already be aware of this, but is something to watch for if you aren't already.

As far as pricing, 400 for a longblock would be reasonable. Sometimes you can find them cheaper, sometimes you find them more.

Best of luck though.

Oooooh I just realized you wanted a non-turbo motor. In that case I wouldn't pay more than $500 for one. Haha sorry about that.

vrg3 wrote:I know this isn't answering your question, but... You think engine wear is causing your cold start problems? That doesn't sound likely to me. Is there anything else wrong with your current engine?

new alternator, optima red top battery and recently changed plugs.

it just doesnt want to start in the arctic tundra i call home.

if the block heater is plugged in it will start.

the biggest problem is that my wife only drives about 6 blocks to work a couple days a week so it doesnt have a chance to charge the battery fully.

it may be something else. just trying to avoid buying a whole new car if i dont have to.

Have you changed your coolant temp sensor??

Driving 6 blocks in Fargo winter? Ouch.

I still don't see what engine wear would have to do with it. Sure, another engine might not have the problem that this one has, but figuring out what that problem is and replacing the bad part has got to cost a lot less.

Coolant temperature sensor? That's usually the first thing I look at with cold start problems. IAC valve? MAF sensor?

A new engine may not fix the problem. The issue may lie elsewhere to what you replace. I agree with Vikash that it's not likely engine wear. Have you checked the cables going to the starter and the grounds? Cold weather is hell on batteries, especially when they aren't charged. Is there any way your wife could take a long way to work? Those kind of short drives in extreme cold aren't good for much of anything. I always try to go for a short drive even when I only have to go down the street in the winter. Cold oil also causes more drag for the starter. Maybe you can try a lower weight oil as well.

i should have a non turbo ej22 longblock with 180,000 miles up for sale shortly. i would like 425 obo. its a 91 lsi whole car will be 800 if you want to drive her home.

asc_up wrote:Have you changed your coolant temp sensor??

yep.

evolutionmovement wrote:A new engine may not fix the problem. The issue may lie elsewhere to what you replace. I agree with Vikash that it's not likely engine wear. Have you checked the cables going to the starter and the grounds? Cold weather is hell on batteries, especially when they aren't charged. Is there any way your wife could take a long way to work? Those kind of short drives in extreme cold aren't good for much of anything. I always try to go for a short drive even when I only have to go down the street in the winter. Cold oil also causes more drag for the starter. Maybe you can try a lower weight oil as well.

we use 5/30 allready.

the cable from the alternator to the battery is not in the greatest shape.

it seems to be starting fine now that she is plugging it in so consider my engine search on hold for now.

basck when I was young and dirt was too, we had a lot of battery cable problems. big blocks and high torque starters were a must. big thick battery cables were the next item needed to start big block with 3/4 cams. they were hard on batteries (daul at times) starters and the cables.

once changed they were able to start when hot.

glad to hear you did not replace motor first.
safe driving and stay warm.

p.s. one other thing by making the morning drive a little longer the exhust with not rot out as fast because the exhust system will get a chance to heat up and dry out the inside of the exhust system. they will last longer that way.

bwe well, bepa