Suspected engine problem

[ccautos]

This thread is aimed at the mechanics amongst the Delica community . If a Delica was to enter the country with a cracked engine block due to severe overheating or freezing and was leaking coolant out of the side of the engine (small leak 1" pool every ten minutes of running) what would be a recommended automotive repair that could ensure that the owner would have no problems with that vehicle in the future . Also what would be a good patch to seal it for a short while and maybe get another six months use out of the van ??? . All suggestions are greatly recieved . Thanks Glen

[jrman]

Ok, can't help myself. Not a mechanic by any means. But, when I hear "cracked engine block" my first reaction is simply replacement short block or potentially entirely new motor. I certainly wouldn't want to drive with anything else given the description of said motor....again - not a mechanics opinion...just my own personal comfort level. I mean...do people really keep driving with a cracked block??? I've never really thought about it....

[kidwrecked]

If you are a good welder you can get "cold cast" rod (nickle rod). It is very expensive and hard to weld with but it has properties that allow you to weld cast iron cracks without oven heating. It burns very fast and make sure you make a good deep groove to allow for penetration. I've used it on a manifold and a table saw base, both seem to be holding out after a few years. I don't know if it will work for a long time with engine vibration, expansion and contraction, and oil or coolant pressures, but the manifold I did seems to be holding out just fine. Hope this helps.

Andrew

[ccautos]

I don`t need help , I know exactly what I would do , but I am trying to gather more information as to what is a generally accepted as a good repair and what is a `patch` repair , as my solution is being questioned as unnecessary and too expensive . Would a sealer cure this problem ?? I have never come across a cracked block on a Delica before but have dealt with many other vehilces (including the Porsche 944 in my driveway that was stored in Calgary with just water in the radiator) .

[Mystery Machine]

Hi Glen,

I was wondering why an experienced mechanic was asking for advice! I thought maybe it was some trick question or test for us mere mortals?

I would personally say that a sealer is 99.9% a bad idea for a block. Radiator maybe where the wall thickness is minimal, but on something like a block I reckon this is not a good solution (if you could call it a solution at all?)

I too was thinking of a weld, but unless it's in an easy to reach place then you're looking at lifting the engine to get at the area to give it a proper clean, grind back etc....and if you're having to lift the engine then you're better off considering the route of an engine swap to make it a permanent solution.

If I had a cracked block, I'd probably not even consider gettting it repaired...false economy and all that! But that's my own opinion and I always go the route of more expense = peace of mind. If I had a cracked block repaired I'd always be wondering when it will go? (note: when, not if!)

If the crack is fairly accessible and you reckon that a weld will take, then this is a possible short term solution with the proviso to the owner that this is a 'temporary' repair with no guarantee of longevity given or implied.....which brings me back to wonder if it is a false economy to start with?

Please let us know what you are planning/proposing to do with it?

[sahdot]

No first hand experience, but I have heard of people successfully using J B Weld epoxy for both short and long term repair.

Caveat utilitor,

-jim

[Green1]

I should preface this by saying that I'm not a mechanic, but I now have some experience with a cracked head, and likely a second damaged head now... through all of this I've done a bit of research and asked a lot of questions...

this very much depends... if the crack is truly an extremely minor leak in the coolant system some of that awful stop-leak stuff might work as a TEMPORARY fix, but keep in mind it is a very TEMPORARY fix, in the long run stop-leak will pretty much guarantee a need to replace the radiator as well, and won't stop the crack from getting worse over time.

As for welding... I really don't know, but I would say it sounds like a bad idea in general, the engine is subject to a LOT of vibration, a large amount of pressure, and extreme temperature changes... none of those bode well for welds...

Really the only way to FIX the problem is replacment, and really an engine isn't THAT expensive when you think about it, the labour is likely to be just as bad or worse, and you'll need almost as much labour for most any decent repair anyway.

[ExplosiveAbe]

I don't know about a cracked engine block, but if you get a bullet hole in your radiator in a third world country, simply crack an egg & pour it into the radiator. I've seen McGuyver do it & it worked awesome.

[marsgal42]

Unless the engine is irreplaceable (it isn't), a rebuilt shortblock.

You don't know what else got messed up in the events that caused the crack.

...laura

[jessef]

After a teardown and confirm that the coolant is only leaking out from the block, depending on the size/area of the crack, it can be temporarily welded with nickel but any honest mechanic would not recommend that route. Definitely not for half a year's operation.

For 2-3k, a complete used engine replacement would be the recommendation .

Or a block replacement. Dodge D50 mid-80's pickup block will do with the 4D55. Eventhough the 56 head is better, the 55 will do. Or if the 56 head is fine, then just put it on the 55 donor block as an upgrade/bolt-on and drop that into the Delica. (Did this last year on a Montero)

Jesse

[MardyDelica]

Hi, its a tough call,
thru my experience of this mitsubishi engine for delica & pajero.
i would say it depends on the customer if they want short cut. but i wont suggest to them not to do short cut as you will ended up to fix it again for sure 100%.
i deal many of this type of engine back home in the phils. we got lots of this engine. i usually dont ever think of patching or weld the block of coolant water jacket. as it wont last longer , i just change new or used block.
maybe yes, you can do it just to keep the vehicle go to the shop & fix it properly for few days if the whether is cold. but if the owner is near to the mountain area & the enigne will recieved much pressure as per heat strenght i wont do such thing. it will be just a waste of time as this for sure will comeback & you have to re do it again.
Sorry to say but is part of buying used vehicle , but need to maintain to avoid this problem.
as each owner of this used delica need to learn how to maintain this delica when it comes to oil , antifreeze , plug radiator or leaky water pump. no choice but to do it right.
as for my final opinion pls dont do it.its a nature that we cannot help it but to fix it the rightway as you dont want to do it for the second time.
its not worth of your time & money.its hard for the mechanic & owner of the vehicle.
Again this is just my own opinion,
Cheers:

[The Pinkfingers]

...what would be a recommended automotive repair that could ensure that the owner would have no problems with that vehicle in the future . Also what would be a good patch to seal it for a short while and maybe get another six months use out of the van ???

Not a mechanic, but if you wanted to ensure no problems with it, a rebuild.

As a customer I know I would not buy a vehicle with a cracked block, no matter how well it was sealed.

Six month patch? Any of the above suggestions, except for maybe the raw egg.

[EricN]

I think you know the answer to your own question.

Speaking as a mechanic - If it was mine, weld, maybe jb weld, actually, I would probably just keep topping up the coolant.

Customers- used engine.

[ccautos]

The van will now be recieving its replacement 53k engine as I have recieved the authorization to start repairs . I don`t know whether this thread was the deciding factor or not but thank you for all the good advice and ExplosiveAbe do not always believe what you see on TV . I am sure the owner will be very pleased with his new van once the engine is installed and this hiccup is dealt with.

[Green1]

I don't know about a cracked engine block, but if you get a bullet hole in your radiator in a third world country, simply crack an egg & pour it into the radiator. I've seen McGuyver do it & it worked awesome.

I doubt it would be any use on anything as large as a bullet-hole, but egg will work to stop leaks in a coolant system, this is an EXTREMELY short term solution though, more just a way to get you out of the bush and to a mechanic, not a long term solution in the least.