Aztek Fan Club

[reiner15]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice.  Just a few days ago I had my tek go into the shop for engine trouble again. 

A re-cap of events.

In January I replaced the front cylinder head after the rocker arm stripped out.  After getting a "gm loyalty discount" from the dealer which was just them paying for all of the parts, me covering labor, I ended up walking out with a $1,300 bill.  They, at that time, also replaced the lower intake gasket because it was leaking and they also tested the rear cylinder head and determined it was good.  They put a 1yr warranty on parts and labor.  Engine ran fine until those couple of days ago.

Now they say the rear cylinder head is bad after the rocker arm stripped out of the back.  The price they gave me now is $2100 for P&L.  I haven't tried to talk them down to a bill closer to that first time of 1300.

My tek is an 03. I have 700 miles until 100k.  Fully loaded, no rust or dents.  Interior is near perfect excent for maybe a 1/8" line starting to wear on the middle of the drivers seat leather.  Only other mechanical issues with the car is to replace a rear wiring harness, replace versatrak fluid, and new rotors.  I have exactly one year left on my car loan, owing a little over 3k.

I guess I'm asking what others would do in this situation.  Would you repair the engine again and hope for the best?  Since I'm right on that 100k mark for milage, I'm also getting a gut feeling that the transmission is the next to go, but who knows when. 

I really have been looking forward to not having a car note, but at the same time, if for some reason these engine repairs don't last for another 100k, or the transmission doesnt last for at least a couple more years, I can't keep justifying the money I'll have to put into the car.

If I were to get into another vehicle, it would probably end up being a 03-05 avalanche, with around 100,000 miles and a 10-12% interest loan for about 10,000.

I guess I just don't know which is a better solution to put my money into.

Anyone else ever been in a similar situation? 

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks
-Andrew

[seb]

Hey look , the warranty is almost over ,and you know whats been done on your tek ..... when it all comes down to it , its all a gamble ? which one has the look and needs you want, you are trading a Gm for a chevy truck . but Hey I just got rid a=of my Montana that i still owed on and bought the Tek with less mileage ..... you never know what the right choice is ..

[Indy 951]

I think alot of people are in the same position, as major engine work pops up.  IMO it may be worth a look into a rebuilt long block.  They seem to be running about $1800 and there are small local shops that will install.  I'd check around and see what the total would be.  Hindsight being 20/20, this would have been a decision to make before the $1300 repair, but who knows.  The other option is a lower mileage 3.4 from http://www.car-part.com/   I've done both routes.  Pulling a cylinder head(s) on a 100K plus engine has never made any sense to me.  The shop hours required for an engine swap or a rear cyl head on an Aztek may be closer than you think.

[jaskispyder]

Stripped rocker arm bolts?  Something is wrong.  The shop should be able to put a heli-coil or other insert in there to fix it.  They may have to pull the head though, or they can drop the engine and pull the valve cover.

The only issue with getting a used engine is that you don't know what may have been fixed and what still is waiting to get fixed.  I would find an independent shop and get some estimates.  Changing the head gaskets only ran me about $1400 at an independent shop.

J.

[Indy 951]

Is your oil pan gasket leaking?  Heavily?  Just one more thing to consider when considering a $2000 top end repair.  I agree that a used engine is a question mark.  The Goodwrench engine from GM is expensive ($2200) delivered, but you'll have $3300 in your current engine with 100K mile rings, bearings, gaskets, etc.

If it were mine, I'd consider 3 options:

a.  Trade it

b.  Goodwrench engine

c.  repair head (with a 2d opinion on cost/technique)

Good luck!

[Pontiac6KSTEAWD]

Personally, I would see if I could find a low mileage 04-06 motor, and swap that in there. Supposed to be the better years, with head gasket fixes, and the like. And you will definetly be ahead in the price area. I see low mileage engines of that type foing for about 500-800 depending on the yard. Swap it in, and you will still be ahead of the 2100 dollar pricing. But you will most likely not be able to get it done at a dealer for that price, or as we call them, STEALERS!

[reiner15]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I think I have reached the point that I'm just going to look at trading it in.  I was wanting to trade it in earlier this year after the first engine repair, and now this just kind of settles it for me.  I hate to get rid of the car because I absolutely love the vehicle, I just can't justify spending the money.  So if I can get what I need to to trade it in, perhaps soon there will be an 03 listed for sale! heh.

I did call back to the dealership and they said the free parts was a one time thing (of course).  Independent shops put estimates from 1500-2500.  So with that $1000 window, I knew I should just plan for the 2500.  The first repair was quoted at 2600 from the dealer, so that 1300 was my cheap repair.  This time the dealer said they could do a helicoil for 1030, but if that doesn't work, I'd be stuck with the $2100 repair.

An engine swap is not my most ideal situation.  I guess if I were to have done that, I would have done what Indy suggested and replaced the engine in January.  Oh if only the 3800 fit instead!

As far as the leaking gasket? no.  I did have a few oil dots on the driveway, but it did not burn oil and the level stays true between oil changes.

[97drexelgrad]

oh ,but yes a 3800 will fit, but other things like the PCM, BCM and more would need to be swapped as well.  The current transmission (4t-65E) should probably be upgraded to the 4t-65HD transmission that matches the 3800 setup too

But why stop at just the 3800? why not go for the 3800 supercharged?

[reiner15]

oh ,but yes a 3800 will fit, but other things like the PCM, BCM and more would need to be swapped as well.  The current transmission (4t-65E) should probably be upgraded to the 4t-65HD transmission that matches the 3800 setup too

But why stop at just the 3800? why not go for the 3800 supercharged?

since when does it fit?  I read years ago that it wouldn't!

I would have swapped a 3800 supercharged years ago if that was the case 

[97drexelgrad]

Nope, it will...  I just got back from the dealership- had to fix a door lock on my Sierra.  I asked my mechanic buddy and he says that the 3800 can be squeezed in there.  If it is just the 3800 engine, you could keep the same trans but will need to change the torque converter.  If you go the 3800 supercharged route, then you would need to step up to the heavy duty version of our current transmission.  I guess finding the right engine and finding the right person to do the job would be the challenge.  Getting a GM dealership to do it would be near impossible since it wouldn't be an "approved" GM spec.

But you most likely need to have motor mounts made/relocated and will not work witha Versatrak system ( again- all from what I've been told)

[Pontiac6KSTEAWD]

That is correct. The Aztek is basically a modified U-Van body, while keeping the structural rigidity, with this in mind, I know people that have swapped in a 3.8 SC and a 4T65EHD tranny into their Pontiac Montana. So, since the Montana, and the Aztek, are the same chassis, then if it works for one, then it will work for the other. Its just a matter of wiring. There is a AWD version of the tranny that would hold up to the power, found in the Volvos (they worked together for a time), however, the bell housing was set up for a 5 cyl turbo Ford bell housing. So it wont work with our engines. I have not looked into swapping the bell housing thou.

[Aztek-Knight]

That is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much work and effort for just a larger engine - that could always have head gasket issues later too...

Something like that and you have to start to ponder resale value vs. your investment(s) ... or if you are just going to have a toy that you'll lose money on unless some AFC member buys it down the road

[T@ZTek]

Any engine swap is a losing proposition economically. You might be able to sell it to an enthusiast but at a loss. I have about $6K in my V8 Fiero, I'll take a loss when I sell it, I knew that going into the deal. The car with the stock engine is worth 3K at best.
The really wild Aztek swap would be a Caddy Northstar 4.6 DOHC V8, it's been put into a Fiero before.

[97drexelgrad]

Any engine swap is a losing proposition economically. You might be able to sell it to an enthusiast but at a loss. I have about $6K in my V8 Fiero, I'll take a loss when I sell it, I knew that going into the deal. The car with the stock engine is worth 3K at best.
The really wild Aztek swap would be a Caddy Northstar 4.6 DOHC V8, it's been put into a Fiero before.

or the 6.0 V8 in the Pontiac G8 / GTO

[T@ZTek]

The G8 and GTO/Holden are rear drive, Corvette V8s. In that case Archie can fix you right up. I'm sure his adapter plate will work with the Aztek transaxle to put most any small block Chevy in there. He's even put a V8 into a Solstice! Specializes in Fieros but it's just a front drive transplanted to the back. An engine designed for FWD would be much easier to cram into there, I'd worry about the firewall clearance with the Northstar, width isn't a problem. An Olds Alero V6 DOHC would be sweet but it's just a Northstar V8 missing two cylinders.
 Then again, I have more daydreaming time than money!

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