Engine & gearbox removal - any top tips?

[Nj]

Morning. Anybody got any top tiops for the removal (and refitting) of my 3B engine and gearbox? engine's going into another car with gearbox still there. gearbox is going elsewhere. I haven't done this before so any advice very much welcome. I will of course be labelling everything in sight. Most likely going OTT but better than not doing enough and finding myself at a loss doing the refit.
cheers
Nj

[S2central.net]

Remove them both in one go.... You'll need a sturdy engine crane that allows to move it out the front. You'll need all the front bumper and x-member out of course.

Trouble with the crane can be clearance whilst so that the engine is nicely supported whilst working to get it out. The factory manual actually shows good sense in using an engine support which mounts on the inner edge of front wings - it takes the strain and gives you much better access - especially to the front... Then you attach the crane to move the booger when all is clear.

In no particular order - Disconnect all the electrics to engine and gearbox, the exhaust, the front subframe, front driveshafts and propshaft. Remove the wishbones from the subframe if the rest of the front suspension is still attached. Drain the water and remove any plumbing that is in the way. The fuel lines need disconnecting safely along with the plumbing for the carbon canister.

Oh and if you have aircon you'll need to get it out of the way - strictly speaking its eco-naughty to vent that gas to atmos and definitely do not breath that stuff in confined spaces... Best to move the aircon system without opening it if you can.

With the need to remove the subframe you need a good way to support the front of the car nice and highly and safely on the chassis legs with plenty of clearance to where you are working.

Just think logically, try to keep calm and it should be alright... Pretty laborious but the result will be engine and tranny safely lifted out, still attached to front subframe sitting on the ground as one big lump where you can start to disassemble further with much better clearance than in teh car.

Paul

[Nj]

cheers Paul. much appreciated. Just bought a Clarke engine crane but i'll look into the engine support too.

The fuel lines need disconnecting safely along with the plumbing for the carbon canister.

Is there a particular way that I could end up doing this unsafely? Just trying to find out any dangers I could do with knowing in advance. If I make a total **** of this it will just be the car in trouble but i don't fancy losing a hand or something.

No problem with the aircon by the way. poor lad that I am i'll just have the sunroof instead.

cheers
Nj

[S2central.net]

Fuel is always a worry - sorry if thats not obvious... But its not just the fire hazard - if you spill it when someone is under the car it gets a bit phreaky. A mate of mine got petrol spilled into his ear once - sick as a dog and dizzy as a duck as it seeped into his inner ear and fooked up his balance ! Off to casualty we had to go

When you crack the fuel lines there will be some residual pressure and leakage - be ready for that !

Good sturdy axle stands with plenty of height are a blessing - just make sure they cant slip.

Be well prepared for any spillage of fuel, oil or coolant - its all pretty nasty stuff. Not having aircon to worry about is a definite advantage !

I'm pretty sure that Clarke have a suitable engine support that works on the wings.

Beyond fuel I think your biggest risk is supporting the bodywork and engine safely so make sure its all solid before you venture underneath.

[S2central.net]

Here you go ---->

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cec500-enginegearbox-support/path/workshop-cranes-engine-stands

Machine Mart is great !

[Nj]

just the thing. and it will match the engine crane... which is obviously the most important thing to worry about. I just need to figure out how it works.

thanks for the advice about the fuel etc. I've had a mouthful of petrol while syphoning once and it wasn't good. vile stuff. I'll be sure to be careful when draining everything.

I might keep the back up on ramps and lift the front up on axle stands. then throw an extra set in there for luck. It's a freaky enough feeling with a whole car above you. some poor buggr over here got himself killed not that long ago. Not sure what he was using but it wasn't enough to hold a car.

[Dubbedup]

Noel, The guy that was killed was using axle stands...

It had slipped off the stands and killed him...

[Keeper of The Kitten]

If you're venturing underneath, it's always a good precaution to push a couple of wheels under each side as added insurance, in case all else fails - at least that way you have a fighting chance of not being flattened.

[S2central.net]

Sound advice actually - I have done that in emergency under cars with just a jack and no stands.

[Nj]

oh sweet baby jesus that scares the brown stuff right out of me. Last time I had the car up I actually stuck a ramp either side, just under the sills.
Just goes to show that you can't be too careful.

[Puglife]

i've had a car fall on my feet luckily t landed with about 4-5inches clearance so my legs were trapped but not crushed, seen it happen friends as well. I always stick the wheels you take off under the jacking points incase of collapse.

Its always safer having two people. I do 90% of my car work by myself but its a struggle, stressful, more dangerous. If you can get a firend to help, mechanical knowledge isn't essential but common sense is.

[Nj]

maybe I can stick dubbedup under the jacking point in case the car falls then yes? Oh, hang on. that's right. he's the one that i'll be asking silly questions so I can't have him flattened. I'll just need to use the wheels then.

right.. enough talk of people being flattened under cars. At this rate i'll freak out and leave it in the garage to rust.

Let's have some more advice on other ways I can avoid injuring myself and top tips for the removal.

[s2dude]

Main safety tip I would give is to make sure you have some proper wedge chocks in front of and behind both of the two wheels that are on the ground. (4 in other words!)
So if the fronts in the air, chock both sides of the back wheels , securely. Sounds paranoid but I know the car wont be rolling anywhere which takes one big factor off the risk list.

I would bet that most accidents arent as a result of jack stands breaking, but as a result of the car falling off the stands/jacking point.
Also, never, ever, rely on just a jack, unless your in the middle of nowhere and have no choice but to venture under (BTDT - not good)

[Rustyrump]

From a safety point of view if you're working alone and the other half or similar is available get them to check on you every half hour or so just to make sure alls ok - also handy for keeping you supplied with tea/beer etc! Keep your mobile in your pocket too.

Practical wise, photograph everything as you disassemble. It give you a great reference for cable routings etc when its time to put it all back together.

Best of luck.

[s2driveruk]

good advice and watching with interest...

Good luck, i'm not far behind you