[ antrx.com ]

U13 Bluebird & Altima => import specific => Topic started by: beejay85 on Jun 14, 2009, 07:11PM

Title: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: beejay85 on Jun 14, 2009, 07:11PM
So the time has come to take the engine out of my car. It has officially hit the 'Project car' status. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to take it out? i have access to a hoist and engine hoist thing (the little crane looking thing lol) so hopefully it should make it easier, but I was just seeing if anyone knows the best place to start etc etc.

Thanks Heaps
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Luke on Jun 14, 2009, 07:50PM
It looks hard, but it's fairly straight forward. Take your radiator out, disconnect all your wiring loom. There's a couple of hard ones to get to, particularly the starter motor wiring and the knock sensor, the best way to get to these is through the driver side front wheel well. take your intercooler piping out, take your exhaust off, take the rear drive shaft out, pull your front drive shafts out. Take your clutch slave cylinder off aswell. There are a few other hoses and things to take off on the inlet manifold, oh and your air con compresor needs to be taken off... put a crate or a trolley under the car and lower it down until the engine is sitting on it, undo all your engine mounts and lift the car off of the engine...

Bit short, but if you have any questions I can go into further detail.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Craazy on Jun 16, 2009, 02:12AM
what luke said. the pro's can do it in about 4 - 8 hours. last count it took me about 24 hours in my garage with no hoist, just an engine crane

best of luck with it
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Luke on Jun 16, 2009, 09:05AM
I reckon Jason and I have it down to about 2.5 hours, but we've done it a fair few times now.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Habibosaurus on Jun 16, 2009, 04:59PM
I reckon Jason and I have it down to about 2.5 hours, but we've done it a fair few times now.

Awaits a Today Tonight report with reports of rebirthing in several Western states on the rise...  ::)
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: beejay85 on Jun 28, 2009, 09:01PM
Hey thanks heaps for that. Finally got it out today... Hardest part seemed to be taking out the front drive shafts :S lol.  Other than that tho pretty spot on with your description. And surprisingly easy, figured there'd be a whole lot more to it.  Now the fun re-build begins .... lol?
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: awd2.0t on Jun 21, 2010, 04:56PM
It looks hard, but it's fairly straight forward. Take your radiator out, disconnect all your wiring loom. There's a couple of hard ones to get to, particularly the starter motor wiring and the knock sensor, the best way to get to these is through the driver side front wheel well. take your intercooler piping out, take your exhaust off, take the rear drive shaft out, pull your front drive shafts out. Take your clutch slave cylinder off aswell. There are a few other hoses and things to take off on the inlet manifold, oh and your air con compresor needs to be taken off... put a crate or a trolley under the car and lower it down until the engine is sitting on it, undo all your engine mounts and lift the car off of the engine...

Bit short, but if you have any questions I can go into further detail.

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but does the engine have to be dropped or can it be taken out the top?  How many hours should a mechanic charge for it?
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Budgie on Jun 21, 2010, 05:03PM
Its MUCH easier to drop it out (tried the top once and changed... that sounded wrong!)

Taking it out the top would probably require gearbox removal in a U12/U13 I reckon.  But having always taken it out the bottom, I'm not really certain!

It took me 2 hours to pull the CA18DET from my car a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: SRU13 on Jun 21, 2010, 06:21PM
i just had mine out would have to come out thru the bottom and the gearbox must come out with it the effort of trying toget tot he bolts in the car would just add extra labour alot quicker todo on the ground
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: awd2.0t on Jun 21, 2010, 09:17PM
So does that mean it can't be done without a hoist?  If I was to take the job on at home with a mechanic mate what would be the best plan of attack?  Just run the car up on a ramps?
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Budgie on Jun 21, 2010, 09:41PM
Yep, you could do it at home but try to figure out a way to take it out the bottom.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Luke on Jun 21, 2010, 09:46PM
Yeah the engine definatelly has to come out the bottom, the gearbox sits underneath parts of the guards, it's a tight enough squeeze out the bottom. Gearbox definately wont come off with the engine in.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Luke on Jun 21, 2010, 09:50PM
Ramps wont be high enough. The engine is fairly tall. It can be done without a hoist. We've done it by lifting the car with a block and tackle. you need to take the handbrake of so you can move it around a bit. Just take you time, it's not as bad as it sounds.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: makudori on Jun 22, 2010, 11:42AM
I used an engine crane to pull the body high enough, stands sitting on some big ass bricks held it in place while i moved the motor and mission out of the way.

I have pictures but not sure how to put them on this site

pm me if your  interested in looking at the pics
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: awd2.0t on Jun 23, 2010, 03:54PM
When the engine is out to replace the clutch what else should be done?
 - Coolant hoses
 - Rear engine seal
 - Anything else?
 

Also in terms of fluids and gases what will I need to factor in?
 - I'm guessing coolant seems pretty obvious
 - Does the A/C need to be re-gassed?
 - Gearbox fluid etc.

Basically the plan is to supply the mechanic with all parts where possible.  So will need to get part numbers and such shortly.  In the short term mechanic just wants the list of what needs to be done for the quote.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Craazy on Jun 23, 2010, 08:55PM
coolant, engine oil, gearbox oil, power steering fluid, clutch fluid and brake fluid

your ac will need to be regassed

check all your hoses before you put the engine back in to be on the safe side, check all your gaskets on the back of the engine for any oil seepage and replace as necessary. check your belts at the same time too

and give it a good clean before it goes back in and you will notice when its running if there are any other issues leak wise with a clean engine

good luck with it
Title: Re: Taking the Engine out.
Post by: Luke on Jun 23, 2010, 10:36PM
Don't need to re-gas the AC, just unbolt the compressor off the block and leave it in the car.