Buying a replacement engine
 

i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
is a D15B2.

i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
fuel economy than performance.

does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
warranties.

thanks!

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

Hi Josh, I am a 91 Civic LX owner. Mine's a D15B2 engine. I
was curious on behalf of a friend and went looking for an
engine online a few months ago. Seems like one with less
than 75k miles on it for our Civics may be had for under
$800. Shipping runs a measly $100. Warranties seem to run 3
months to a year. You can google using words like {swap
engine honda civic} and start studying the results for some
more ideas.

<larson.joshua@gmail.com> wrote
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX -
> i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more
> interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding
> purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying
> online and
> warranties.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

Hi Josh, I am a 91 Civic LX owner. Mine's a D15B2 engine. I
was curious on behalf of a friend and went looking for an
engine online a few months ago. Seems like one with less
than 75k miles on it for our Civics may be had for under
$800. Shipping runs a measly $100. Warranties seem to run 3
months to a year. You can google using words like {swap
engine honda civic} and start studying the results for some
more ideas.

<larson.joshua@gmail.com> wrote
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX -
> i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more
> interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding
> purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying
> online and
> warranties.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

Hi Josh, I am a 91 Civic LX owner. Mine's a D15B2 engine. I
was curious on behalf of a friend and went looking for an
engine online a few months ago. Seems like one with less
than 75k miles on it for our Civics may be had for under
$800. Shipping runs a measly $100. Warranties seem to run 3
months to a year. You can google using words like {swap
engine honda civic} and start studying the results for some
more ideas.

<larson.joshua@gmail.com> wrote
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX -
> i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more
> interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding
> purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying
> online and
> warranties.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

Hi Josh, I am a 91 Civic LX owner. Mine's a D15B2 engine. I
was curious on behalf of a friend and went looking for an
engine online a few months ago. Seems like one with less
than 75k miles on it for our Civics may be had for under
$800. Shipping runs a measly $100. Warranties seem to run 3
months to a year. You can google using words like {swap
engine honda civic} and start studying the results for some
more ideas.

<larson.joshua@gmail.com> wrote
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX -
> i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more
> interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding
> purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying
> online and
> warranties.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> warranties.
>
> thanks!
>
what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> warranties.
>
> thanks!
>
what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> warranties.
>
> thanks!
>
what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> is a D15B2.
>
> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> fuel economy than performance.
>
> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> warranties.
>
> thanks!
>
what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
gasket.

the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
warranty by a week!).

car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
up.

i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...


jim beam wrote:
> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> > i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> > is a D15B2.
> >
> > i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> > fuel economy than performance.
> >
> > does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> > i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> > warranties.
> >
> > thanks!
> >
> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
gasket.

the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
warranty by a week!).

car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
up.

i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...


jim beam wrote:
> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> > i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> > is a D15B2.
> >
> > i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> > fuel economy than performance.
> >
> > does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> > i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> > warranties.
> >
> > thanks!
> >
> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
gasket.

the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
warranty by a week!).

car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
up.

i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...


jim beam wrote:
> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> > i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> > is a D15B2.
> >
> > i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> > fuel economy than performance.
> >
> > does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> > i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> > warranties.
> >
> > thanks!
> >
> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
gasket.

the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
warranty by a week!).

car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
up.

i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...


jim beam wrote:
> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> > i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
> > is a D15B2.
> >
> > i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
> > fuel economy than performance.
> >
> > does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
> > i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
> > warranties.
> >
> > thanks!
> >
> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
> and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

the biggest thing is to buy with a credit card [not debit card]. that
way, ultimately, if there's a problem, the vendor has to work with you
and the credit card company to resolve any problems. i'd just go for
one of the direct jdm importers with as low a mileage as possible. you
don't need much of a warranty - say a month. if it works, has no head
problems and doesn't burn oil, you're set - all those will be detectable
in the first week or so.

>
> jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
> long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
> probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
> overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
> installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
> gasket.
>
> the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
> started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
> times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
> started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
> replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
> warranty by a week!).
>
> car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
> gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
> cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
> home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
> the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
> overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
> up.

something's cracked.

>
> i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
> messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...

replacement is 100% the way to go - not worth wasting another single
moment on that motor. onwards!

>
>
> jim beam wrote:
>> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
>>> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
>>> is a D15B2.
>>>
>>> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
>>> fuel economy than performance.
>>>
>>> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
>>> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
>>> warranties.
>>>
>>> thanks!
>>>
>> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
>> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
>> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
>> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.
>

Re: Buying a replacement engine
 

larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
> i've done some looking online and it's difficult to discern what's what
> and if a given website is legitimate. that's the biggest difficulty.

the biggest thing is to buy with a credit card [not debit card]. that
way, ultimately, if there's a problem, the vendor has to work with you
and the credit card company to resolve any problems. i'd just go for
one of the direct jdm importers with as low a mileage as possible. you
don't need much of a warranty - say a month. if it works, has no head
problems and doesn't burn oil, you're set - all those will be detectable
in the first week or so.

>
> jim - you've helped me in the past and i appreciate that. here's the
> long story short: bought the car from a friend. when i bought it, it
> probably had a blown head gasket. after a while, the engine blew,
> overheated severely and i had head reworked. i did the work and
> installed new timing belt, new water pump, and of course new head
> gasket.
>
> the engine seemed to run just okay. it felt tired. then the temp
> started fluctuating. replaced thermostat a few times, rad cap a few
> times... was losing coolant. figured i messed up first gasket job.
> started #2. replaced timing belt, head gasket had head reworked.
> replaced distributor after the last one had bad crank sensor (caught
> warranty by a week!).
>
> car runs okay, but here's the thing it did after 1st and 2nd head
> gasket job: after i drive for a while, some kind of gas gets into the
> cooling system. it bubbles, not boils, pretty vigorously after i come
> home (up a mountainside). i could live with this, but i have to check
> the fluid levels every couple days now. the gas pushes coolant out,
> overflows the resevoir, makes a mess and then i have to fill it back
> up.

something's cracked.

>
> i am now feeling like the block is cracked or something else is majorly
> messed up. plus, i'm a little sick of working on this engine...

replacement is 100% the way to go - not worth wasting another single
moment on that motor. onwards!

>
>
> jim beam wrote:
>> larson.joshua@gmail.com wrote:
>>> i'm considering replacing the engine in my 1991 civic DX - i think it
>>> is a D15B2.
>>>
>>> i think i want just a straight replacement. i'm more interested in
>>> fuel economy than performance.
>>>
>>> does anyone have any experience or advice regarding purchasing engines?
>>> i need practical information regarding JDM engines, buying online and
>>> warranties.
>>>
>>> thanks!
>>>
>> what's wrong with yours and why do you want to replace it? how many
>> miles? i ask because if you think it's not performing right, there are
>> a number of possible causes, all of which are cheaper and less
>> troublesome than replacing the whole unit.
>