engine replacement | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered engine replacement questions

My son's car has an oil leak that's being investigated. What is the likely cause?

A year ago, my son’s 2015 Ford Focus ST EcoBoost had an engine failure when the oil sump developed a hole. He then had a reconditioned engine put in. At the recent MOT, he was told there was an oil leak...

Can I retrofit a petrol engine into my diesel car to be compliant with the ULEZ?

I'm happy to keep my Freelander 2 TD4 until the end of days. Is there any option, anywhere, of an engine swap to petrol and could it be legally re-registered to cover ULEZ? I daren't even ask about insurance.

If I replace an engine, do I need to tell the DVLA?

The engine in my Fiat Doblo van has broken down and the local garage that I trust has told me it needs replacing. I will do this with a reconditioned unit. Obviously the replacement unit will have a different...

A used car I bought three months ago broke down. Is the dealer responsible?

I brought Jaguar XE secondhand from a dealer in December 2019. After three months, the car suddenly stopped while driving and failed to start. A local garage diagnosed that the engine and turbo need to...

If I replace the engine of a vehicle, can I set the odometer to zero?

I've just fitted a brand new crate engine to my Ford Explorer that I'm restoring. It has 126,000 miles on it, but can I zero the clock because the engine has done no miles yet?

I bought a used car privately and the engine needs replacing - do I have any comeback against the seller?

I purchased a 2012 Land Rover Defender in a private sale. Within 30 days there was a warning light for the oil pressure followed quickly by engine failure. The car now requires a new engine at approximately...

My car is at the dealer needing repairs but there's no date as to when this might happen - what can I do?

My 2016 Vauxhall Astra has been at the dealership now for nearly a month. It apparently needs a completely new engine and it's under warranty. The Vauxhall dealership say they cannot give me any timescale...

We paid for a reconditioned engine and now the turbo has failed - where do we stand?

I went to a specialist garage that charged us close to £4600 for a reconditioned engine replacement job for my Mitsubishi Outlander. With this we also received a three month/3000 mile warranty. There is...

Is it unwise to buy a van with a reconditioned engine?

I have seen a 2006 Renault Master, which has been converted to a horsebox. It also had a reconditioned engine in 2013. The mileage is 159,000 and the seller says the new engine has only 50,000 miles on...