To swap or rebuild

[blueline36]

Yep...I had the dreaded timing belt fail. I was just curious if it is better to find a donor car and do a full engine swap or go with a remanufactured head? There are lots of options for reman heads on ebay and this is the direction I am leaning but I am concerned about quality and wanted to get the opinion of more experienced owners. I was at an idle when the failure happened if that makes any difference. Is it best to pull the head and inspect before making any decision?

[Daox]

I went with an engine swap myself. Its easier IMO and less time intensive. Cost is about a wash.

[itratis]

I did replace the engine, I have never had a car with a rebuild head that would last more than a complete engine replacement even if it is used.

[blueline36]

So on that note, what years had the same engine configuration as the 2005 so I make sure that I get the right one to swap?

[itratis]

Most likely 2004 -2008

I have red here that you have to do the Crankshaft relearn procedure when you replace the engine. Some shops that I did consult toll me the CR procedure wasn't need it, I would like to hear from those who have done it, how that improved engine performance?.

[Daox]

The only issue I had before doing the relearn was slight jerkyness at low throttle input. Other than that, it ran fine. The relearn procedure is necessary to turn the check engine light off though.

[PoisonIvy]

If you have the time, it probably wouldn't hurt to take the head off and see what you'd be in for.

[exodus0784]

It's just like... your opinion man.

You feel like tearing into the engine? Do it. You don't feel like tearing into the engine, don't!

Teardown/rebuild would take a lot longer than buying another. At least you'd know what you're putting into your car, though.

[xintersecty]

I swapped engines in my ford. I did small tear down on my new junk yard engine just so I can clean it. Yes it might take more time, do a bit of tear down. But you can leave the engine in the car. I would just tear down the head and hope none of the pistons were damaged.

[itratis]

My check engine is off but I'm considering to do the crankshaft relearn procedure after reading post #14 in this threat:

#14 Oct 12, 2013 Its the crankshaft relearn procedure. You have to take it to a dealer bc my auto guy in town said he did the procedure 3 times and it didn't work. After spening 2500 dollars on a used engine and labor I took it to a chevy dealer spent 150 dollars and it was fixed with the relearn procedure. Once the new engine was put in, after my timing belt slipped at 59, 000 miles, it would not go above 40 miles per hour. My car was in the shop for over a month and all it took was the relearning procedure. It is a computer procedure where the service worker has to drive the car with the computer plugged in and teach it how to drive again. Pretty crazy but its true and it worked for me. A month of research and I finally shut the private auto worker and their crazy ideas down and took it to the chevy dealer. The auto worker was about to take it to his buddy at the transmission shop...what a waste of time

2004 chevy aveo flashing engine light - Topix

Also this website has some good info:

The learn procedure is required after the following service procedures have been performed, regardless of whether or not DTC P1336 is set:

• PCM replacement
• Engine replacement
• Crankshaft replacement
• Crankshaft balancer replacement
• Crankshaft position sensor replacement
• Any engine repair(s) which disturbs the crankshaft/harmonic balancer to crankshaft position sensor relationship

CKP Variation Learn


My problem with the dealer and other shops that I have talk to, is that they want to charge for a diagnosis service first and then charge again for the Crankshaft Relearn Procedure on top. So that is about 120 plus 90.