How easy is it to replace my engine myself?

[Nathan-Jon]

Hi All,

I have an X Reg Leon 1.8t Sport, I bought this car on the cheap as cambelt had snapped and killed the engine! Just ordered an audi A3 Engine for it as the engine is the same. (APP). Cant seem to find anythin about doin this online and Haynes dont do a bloody manual for the car! A- holes! Lol

Any help would be really helpfull!!

Cheers!

Nath

 

[colinpuk]

id imagin it will be a straight forward with the right tools, take plenty of pictures as you start taking the old one out and try and remove compleat sections of pipeing ect at the same time so you have less bits to loose/put back together

 

[Nathan-Jon]

Cheers colin, problem with that is that the garage that diagnosed the promblem in the first place took the head of to diagnose a buggered engine Lol so the block is still in there. I think the problem will be pluggin the leads and pipes back in do u?

Cheers

 

[colinpuk]

i had the cambelt snap on my lcr, i helped the garage (my firend owns it) strip it down but didnt get involved with the replacement http://www.colinpeach.co.uk/upload/files/IMAG0058.jpg

 

[1.9...stefan]

without meaning to sound rude mate,,, if you need to ask how hard it is to replace, i would say its to hard. i no that sounds rude but unless your a mechanic or you have got a close friend who is 1 id just leave it to a garage mate.. its not an easy job put it that way

 

[m0rk]

it's not that hard... and you can easily do it with blind ignorance. very few bolts

 

[warren_cox]

I would hire an engine hoist. Other than that it's not horribly hard, but on your own with winter approaching I'd try and get the car under cover with some decent lighting. Just be orderly about how you sort your parts for dissembling and re-assembly. You'll be amazed how much you learn!

 

[1.9...stefan]

on a cheap scrap part maby u mite do it... but on a modern leon... i wouldnt risk it if i wernt a mechanic

 

[smithygcupra]

go for it mate.... not hard at ll to be honest if your half ecent with a spanner... even i your not you aint got nutin to lose.... i changed the engine in my old civic.... not as many pipes and that... but more pipes just means more time... doesnt make it any harder... get loats of boxes/trays etc and arrange the bits n bobs properly... and like said... lots of pics before you take stuff apart...

 

[Zipcode]

What experience do you have in the garage?
Also, what does your toolbox consist of?

I once swaped a Turbo civic engine and the whole job was quite hard and sum what frustrating. It was fine once we cranked the key and it started.
I already had loads of exposure with moto bike engines and engines in general so it made it easier.

But If your confident, then Give it go.
Take loads of pics! And make loads of Notes!!!

Good Luck

 

[LEE69]

If you played with mechano when you were younger you should be fine.
As said take pictures and if you get stuck rebuilding it just ask as I'm sure others on here have done the swap before.

 

[andycupra]

if you have the right equipment available, then it can be done.
If your worried about which pipes go where, consider labelling them, or use a digital camera. take pics of bits that you could get wrong before you take them apart.

Lay things out so you know which order that go bak together rather than taking the engine out and putting all the bits in a bucket.

in short, be organise and do it logically. sounds simple, but helps alot.

But i woukd echo some of the comments above regarding getting a garage to do it. Get some quotes you may be surprised, especially if you can leave the car with them so they work on it when they get spare time..

 

[DPJ]

Get a Haynes Mk4 Golf manual.

 

[Big_daddy]

It will be time consuming,espically in the winter when freezing in the cold. You must have a good knowledge and memory on what bolts/nut go where, Its easier to remove but hard to rembber where each nuts goes back.
Does require a 2 person job as it would make it easy.
Most garage would charge around £200 to 300 to swop one over

 

[olethalb]

i'd personally pull the front off (assuming it's like ibiza/mk4 golf)

i usually do it in this order;

disconnect all wiring and plugs first + battery out. (pull loom back and out of the way)

then all pipes and hoses ( if you are unsure about where they go back leave one end attatched) and related items rad /header tank/ic etc

then driveshafts off

gear linkage disconnected (from gearbox end)

then down pipe off/ pulled back

like i say i'd take the whole front panel off, gives you more room and less likely to damage anything when removing/refitting

assuming the car is on axle stands and you've pulled the front off put something under the engine to support/take it's weight then undo the engine/ gearbox mounts (dogbone first)

i have a dolly/wheely board that i put under the lump and once its all disconnected just wheel it out with the gearbox still attatched put it next to the replacement item and swap all neccesary parts across. try and do as much as poss while it's out. then put the new lump on the wheely board/ dolly and roll it back into place and reverse the process as you removed it.

have a pot/ bucket for all the little clips bolts you remove too and just be methodical.

also don't forget the a/c will need depressurising ( don't breath the gas in) and recharging afterwards.

it's usually sensible to fit a new clutch while you got it out and is easily accessible.

when it's back in, new coolant oil and filter. how to suck eggs probably i know.

maybe some bits i've missed but should cover the most of it.

 

[andycupra]

if you have a job where you can earn overtime... then perhaps do that and let a garage do it.

 

[m0rk]

This is how I did it.... first time for everything really & that seemed the most logical way to do it... engine was out & replaced in a couple of hours.

i'd personally pull the front off (assuming it's like ibiza/mk4 golf)

i usually do it in this order;

disconnect all wiring and plugs first + battery out. (pull loom back and out of the way)

then all pipes and hoses ( if you are unsure about where they go back leave one end attatched) and related items rad /header tank/ic etc

then driveshafts off

gear linkage disconnected (from gearbox end)

then down pipe off/ pulled back

like i say i'd take the whole front panel off, gives you more room and less likely to damage anything when removing/refitting

assuming the car is on axle stands and you've pulled the front off put something under the engine to support/take it's weight then undo the engine/ gearbox mounts (dogbone first)

i have a dolly/wheely board that i put under the lump and once its all disconnected just wheel it out with the gearbox still attatched put it next to the replacement item and swap all neccesary parts across. try and do as much as poss while it's out. then put the new lump on the wheely board/ dolly and roll it back into place and reverse the process as you removed it.

have a pot/ bucket for all the little clips bolts you remove too and just be methodical.

also don't forget the a/c will need depressurising ( don't breath the gas in) and recharging afterwards.

it's usually sensible to fit a new clutch while you got it out and is easily accessible.

when it's back in, new coolant oil and filter. how to suck eggs probably i know.

maybe some bits i've missed but should cover the most of it.

 

[Nathan-Jon]

Thanks for all your help guys i really appreciate it! ive just got my replacement engine only to find its an AJQ? and when i spoke to the breakers they typed in the reg plate and its an APP engine in it.
It looks identical. As i stated yesterday its from an audi a3 Quattro 1.8t.

All turbo mounts are the same the exhaust is the same and intake the same wot do u guys reckon?

Thanks again!