AndreasMet

Some background:
2003 LS 430, 220,000 miles, driven 30 minutes w/o fluids.

Estimate from local repair shop to fix: $10,500

Car value (if running): $7,000

Choices:
1. Replace head gasket and hope that fixes motor
2. Remove motor (if 1 looks like unlikely solution)
3. Rebuild motor
4. Get a used ebay motor

I'm heading down the path to see how bad things look. Many of the steps for removing the head gasket are the same for removing the motor. And the step to get at the heads are also the steps to rebuild the motor.

So I am just goingt to head down the merry path and see what it all looks like.

This is step 1. Remove the oil from the motor.

I expected to see a bunch of crap in the oil. But lo and behold it looks just like it always does. Note it looks a little milky, but I put seafoam in the oil and to me it looks normal.

Now what does this first step mean? I have no idea. So onward to step 2. Remove radiator.

Jabberwock

Good luck. Thanks for sharing the pics and the process you are going through with the forum. Much appreciated.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

have you figured out if the motor runs yet? Im still confused as to what the problem is.

People here cant give you a proper answer as to what you should do because I don't think you've even had the motor diagnosed properly.

Does it turn over? does it start? is it seized? does it run?

AndreasMet

The motor starts and runs rough. Maybe 5% of normal power. The electronic scan codes indicate misfires on three cylinders. Codes thrown are:
P1520 SLS Circuit Malfunction
P1566 SLS Input Signal Failures
PO300 Engine Multiple Cylinder Misfires
PO302 #2
PO308 #4
PO308 #8
PO440 EVAP Malfunction
P1354 VVY System Malfunction
PO441 EVAP incorrect purge flow
PO446 ECAP Vent Control Nalfunction

Radiator has leaks in it (melted in some places) and needs to be replaced.

walleyeman

Would a compression or leak down test give the general condition of the vital rings, valves and seals?

LS430FL

Is your 430 a US version? Your engine configuration is different than mine...

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

damn ,,,with all these issues I would vote to replace the motor with a used one.

Or part out the car and make as much as you can , and purchase a new one.

Good luck either way

AndreasMet

Yes it is a US version.

AndreasMet

You are probably right on used motor.

The way I look at it is if I scrap the car it's worth zero $.

If I put a motor in it then it's worth $7,000.

To get a motor in I pay $3,500 all-in.

I would spend $3,500 to have a $7,000 car.

We already leased another car so this will be a backup car any way. I have plenty of time to mess around as there is no due date to get the job done.

I view the $3,500 as kind of an education in car mechanics that will pay off no matter what happens with this car.

I did a timing belt on a VW Passat several years ago and I save about $1,200 then and there. The knowledge I gained has paid for itself over and over again since then.

Thanks for replies.

AndreasMet

STEP 1 Drain Oil
Not much to report. Oil looked fine.

STEP 2: Remove Radiator (so far so good)
I removed the radiator after watching a youtube video.

A few comments on the process:
1. Thank you to funkymechanic on YouTube for the video.
2. It's as easy as can be. Took less than an hour and that includes marking all the connections to help in re-assembly, bagging all the parts, etc.
3. You can save $$$ by doing this yourself.

Compared to working on a VW, this is a piece of cake. On a VW you need to remove the front of the car to access things in the engine. The LS is so roomy it's amazing.

STEP 3. Gather Courage to Proceed
OK, so this is where things get hard for a first timer. The Chilton manual online is fairly weak and it's hard to know exactly what to do because the components are not marked well. So I spend a lot of time looking at the motor with the final goal in mind--removal. I visualize where the space is needed and then think about removing parts to allow it to happen. Since I can identify the power steering pump and the AC unit I'm going to remove these next. Going to take some snap shots too. I'm worried about how the wiring is going to come together correctly. Stay tuned.






Background:
Some background:
2003 LS 430, 220,000 miles, driven 30 minutes w/o fluids.

Estimate from local repair shop to fix: $10,500

Car value (if running): $7,000

Choices:
1. Replace head gasket and hope that fixes motor
2. Remove motor (if 1 looks like unlikely solution)
3. Rebuild motor
4. Get a used ebay motor

I'm heading down the path to see how bad things look. Many of the steps for removing the head gasket are the same for removing the motor. And the step to get at the heads are also the steps to rebuild the motor.

So I am just going to head down the merry path and see what it all looks like.

L8RSk8R

Good outlook Andreas
That's how I look at it too.
Do the work yourself, learn a little and the reward/sense of accomplishment for finally repairing/fixing something is awesome.

gemineye

OP: Is there any way you could document this entire process in one thread, instead of an individual thread for each step taken?

Reason being, your threads are going to separate from each other and it will be difficult to read through your story, say a year from now. If you keep everything in one thread, we can all easily enjoy your process several yrs down the road and someone may even be able to save some $$$ and/or time in the event they try to tackle the same repair.

Just a thought......

Regards,
Randy G.

AndreasMet

Yes I will consolidate.

SQuester

Do yourself a huge favor and buy the factory service manuals.

AndreasMet

Could you recommend a source please? Thanks.