Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

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Jonymoto
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My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Jonymoto »

Does any body have any suggestions on how to check an engine that is not fitted inside a car? Last year I bought a secondhand 4AC engine cheap that I was told was recently reconditioned. I was planning to put it in my T4wd in the future, but I'm reluctant in case it is a dud.
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irowiki
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Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by irowiki »

does it spin nicely? Look down the spark plug holes with a flash light.

In theory you could rig a starter up to it and do a compression test. Just make sure it has oil.
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Jonymoto
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Posts: 296
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 pm
My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Jonymoto »

Yes, it does spin nicely when I turn it by hand. I was thinking of doing a leakdown test on each cylinder to check for leakages at the rings, valves and cylinder head gasket as a starting point but to check the conditions of other engine components would require dismantling the engine.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson - The Dalai Lama
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Petros
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Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Petros »

pull off the oil pan and remove the number 3 and 4 for connecting rod cap and inspect the bearings. these fail first because they are furthest from the oil pump, if they are good than the rest of the bearing are good. Make sure the caps go back on the same way and are property torqued. the condition of the bearings is the most important issue since any problem with the head is fairly easy to fix without pulling the engine.

The leak down test is a good idea, though a compression test is the best way to know the condition of the rings and valve. I have pulled heads off to verify valves were all good, assuming I would be replacing the head gasket anyway.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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Jonymoto
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Posts: 296
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 pm
My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Jonymoto »

Thanks Petros. I will check no. 3 & 4 conn rod bearings
When you lose, don't lose the lesson - The Dalai Lama
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Petros
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Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Petros »

also wipe off the crank journal and inspect the surface, should be smooth and shiny. small lines are no problem, but if badly beat up and dull, likely the bearing will be bad as well. I have just replace the connecting rod bearings with standard size ones before, and left the main bearings as is (rare that they go bad unless run with gritty oil or dry, the conn rods would show that too).

if you replace the bearings, you can hand polish the rod journals if they need it with 400 grit strips of wet n dry sand paper wrapped with a cord and pulled back and fourth until you get a smooth shinny surface.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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Jonymoto
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Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 pm
My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Jonymoto »

Petros, I checked the 4ac as you suggested and it seems to be in very good condition. However, I did a compression test on the original 3ac that's in my Tercel. The readings vary from 165 to 175psi. The engine hardly use any oil, maybe 50-100ml between oil change (every 5,000km). So I'm now wondering if it would be worth it swapping it with the 4ac.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson - The Dalai Lama
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My tercel:: 1988 Corolla 4wd Wagon (AKA Corolla All-trac) 5speed, AC, Power Sunroof, Windows, Mirrors, Steering, Locking, Diff Lock, 14" Corolla SX Alloys with Silica Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, 210,000kms
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Mattel »

Jony. I would keep the 3ac there is not much of power difference for the amount of work especially if your original engine is ok. If you were going to do a 4age, 4afe or 7afe I'd say go for it and get a significant upgrade in power but would need to get the fuel injection working etc.
Previous: 83 Tercel SR5 4wd, 84 Tercel SR5 4wd
88 Corolla 4wd Wagon 5speed, All power options, Fact Sunroof, Diff Lock, 14" SX Alloys, Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, Tow Bar, 210,000kms
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Jonymoto
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Posts: 296
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 pm
My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Checking a 4AC engine out of the car

Post by Jonymoto »

Thanks Matt, I've come to the same conclusion.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson - The Dalai Lama
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