Engine overhaul, half engine replacement, required guidance please..

Hi Fiatians, I hope you all are doing great!
I really require an expert guidance on this one as my linea 1.3 mjd had a breakdown today, complete overhaul. :-(
A little bit of background (sorry for my naive language): I bought this vehicle (Fiat Linea 1.3 mjd emotion - 2014) as a second hand owner from a car dealer. Now, when I initially bought this one, the metre was showing 73k kms done (which was tampered as I got to know today, it actually ran 1,50,000kms until 2019 as per service records, also which I got to know today). I know I was foolish and naive to not check the Service records :-( Now I have spent quiet a considerabe amount on chaning parts (like suspensions parts, bushes, and engine mounts etc. which were pretty understable that were worn out) around 1 lac. The car had pickup and black smoke issue and I thought it must be the EGR, intake and turbo hose so I got it cleaned in the latest servicing which I did a week back.
Now today while I was visiting my hometown, I suddenly got an message on odo dashboard "Low engine oil pressure, please stop and turn of engine" and then I did stop and turned off engine. But after confirming with my mechanic, he told to show it to a nearby Fass and so with the hope that I will at least be able to reach the FASS (which was about 10 kms) I started driving and also reached. They checked the engine oil level and codes and said everything is fine, nothing to worry of. I then started my journey but within 2 kms, taktaktaktak noise came from my bonnet and same message as earlier and this time my car stalled and wont even start. I had to tow the vehicle to Belgaum FASS and they said crankshaft and connecting bearing gone, need overhaul will need to do a half engine replacement.
Now, with regards to the main factor which is the cost for all these, they said it may go above 1.2 lac (64k for half engine and rest for other parts). Now, since I am not a very technical guy in automobiles, I understand half engine but does these (so called) other parts really cost another 60k? I am just hoping and praying that I get lucky and find a linea mjd engine from any scrap cars so that I can exchange the engines if I could get them around for 20k or 30k more.
My question which I am really really confused is:
1. Assuming that it does really cost 1.2 lac around, is it really worth going ahead? since I've already spent a little more than 1 lac on this car.
2. Assuming that I repair the same as quoted by FASS, is there any other major breakdowns or parts other than this one where I have to spend so much? I know this kind of breakdowns doesn't happen with everyone, I may be the lucky one :-I
3. Since I am not much of any Automobile guy (until now), and I know these mechanics can take you for a ride but can you please guide me what should be my next course of action!
I really appreaciate if someone could provide their valuable inputs..
Thank you and stay safe!

 

I'm too not any expert, but This looks like the previous owner had decided to sell the car and hence ignored timely maintenance. I would suggest to get a mjd engine from scrap Maruti diesel cars, or rebuild the engine using mgp parts of Ertiga.
Since the car is 2014 model, it's condition might be okay for another 5 years. Have a close look though.
Don't go ahead with any work with FASS. instead find a good garage nearby who are specialized in diesel engine overhaul, search for scrap Maruti diesel engine, or use mgp parts or INA parts. Your efforts in finding the parts and patience will save your money.

 

Yes

Yes, many ppl I spoke to suggested not to go with Fass instead look for a good mechanic in my city itself and replace the parts which are damaged and I agree with it as well. Some fiatians from my whatsapp group have really been helpful with this. Now my dilemna is I am from Pune and my car is in Belgaum fass.. Towing car to pune back costs 16k around .. is it worth it?

 

How about getting a repair quote from a few garages in Belgaum. And then decide depending on what percentage the 16k will be of the total repair costs.

 

Already visited some garages and tried explaining the problem but they want to inspect the vehicle and engine. Cant take the car anywhere without tow However I spoke to one of the garages in Pune and they have gave the same suggestion as urs (use parts from tata, maruti) for the damaged ones and I also plan to be personally present when they are working on it..

 

Then taking the car to Pune shall be better.

Tata parts will be as costly as the Fiat ones. Go for MGP or INA.

 

Sure bro.. will update on the progress..

 

I have got similar quote from FASS, but that also included timing chain and clutch replacement, along with half engine block.
Trusted FNG gave ~80k quote (without clutch in the above) with Fiat parts.

If you replace engine, along with timing chain it would be good for another 1L kms. Inspect the clutch and decide on the same.
If you get this done at FASS, you get a warranty for 6 months, which is valid in FASS all over India, which is a plus point. Though this is expensive.

You may decide to opt to go ahead at FASS with a warranty or with your FNG, who may also provide their own warranty. FNG warranty would mostly be at their shop only. So, if you are opting for FNG, you better select one that is trusted by you and close to your location (factor in towing charges minus your travel arrangements to Belgaum) which could save you hassles in case if you have to re-visit them.

I would suggest you to put fresh parts rather than from scrap yard. One cannot guarantee how used or abused those parts would be. Or you have to find really low run engine, which could be rare and may consume more time to find.
With those fresh parts, you would be getting an engine almost as new and you could enjoy the car better, for next 1L (or 4~5 years at 20k to 25k running per year).

Good luck with your repair.

 

Thanks a lot for your reaponse Actually I had replaced clutch on last servicing (Dec 2020) and replaced the timing chain like a week back (dec 2021). Also, one of our fiatian from whatsapp group recommended me an fmg who I spoke with, they said don’t need to replace the half engine block, instead we can replace the damaged part with mpg, ina or tata parts. I will visit the fmg tomorrow or day after and ask about the guarantee (if any) and any other factors to be considered. Hopefully there shouldn't ve much damage.

 

This is the method when the engine is weaker than its peak, still running but not damaged.
A trained mechanic would be able to ascertain the extent of damage after opening the engine.
To your luck, damages may be minimum.