Technical 850 Engine Rebuild

[domtheboyo]

I had low oil pressure and now engine is seized. I cannot turn it at all. Is there anyone on here that has experience of rebuilding these engines that could give me a rough idea of how much it would likely cost and/or are willing to do this for me? The engine looks mint and has many new parts and was rebuild about 5 years ago.
Weighing up my options on deciding what to do with the car. I've owned it a week and it broke after running it for 4-5 days.

 

[thefiatfactory]

I had low oil pressure and now engine is seized. I cannot turn it at all. Is there anyone on here that has experience of rebuilding these engines that could give me a rough idea of how much it would likely cost and/or are willing to do this for me? The engine looks mint and has many new parts and was rebuild about 5 years ago.
Weighing up my options on deciding what to do with the car. I've owned it a week and it broke after running it for 4-5 days.

unfortunately none of the previous work or money spent means anything now the engine is seized.... you need to accept that it's likely a total loss on the engine, and / or this is not going to be cheap.

Sorry for your problems, but to quote Ned Kelly "such is life"

No one will be able to answer your question of "how much" as no one has sufficient information to make that call... unfortunately the engine needs stripping to assess the damage done, and only then can anyone quote on the job.

SteveC

 

[Mike1alike]

You could start with taking the cylinder head down and see it from there. How it looks and all.

 

[348azeus]

Engine rebuilds are not cheap done properly and you need to understand what has gone wrong by stripping it down. Some parts may not be salvageable which can get you into more cost. If it seized you will at least need a crank regrind and bearings then possibly rebore and pistons and the list goes on. There’s a few on EBay from £700 to a couple of thousand and you wouldn’t be able to do a rebuild cheaper.
I’ve got a rebuilt 850 sport engine that I would sell for about £1100 . It all depends on the condition /value of your car as to whether the expense is worth it.

 

[bugsymike]

Also before fitting a replacement, the "minor detail" of why it happened in the first place.
Was it you or someone else who mentioned their 850 when first driven appeared to run engine temp higher than normal on another resent post, but their mechanic tested with a laser thermometer and declared it was OK?
If so I felt and mentioned at the time a partially blocked radiator may be the cause and worth checking properly, was that done, as the tubes inside the core often, on older vehicles block up with muck built up over years?
Providing the engine oil didn't run low at the same time, then the main issue may be cured by a rebore and set of pistons, plus gaskets. Although always wise to check and replace main and big end bearings as necessary.

 

[Mike1alike]

Was it you or someone else who mentioned their 850 when first driven appeared to run engine temp higher than normal on another resent post

Yes, the same 850. This post

Running Temp | FIAT 850

First outing in my new 850 Berlina today and had a couple of issues. First one I noticed temp runs above half way. It has an electric fan which is always on too. Not sure how accurate these gauges are but is it normal for them to run fairly hot, even when crusing at 50? Also, she likes to stall...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Volatileticker]

I had low oil pressure and now engine is seized. I cannot turn it at all. Is there anyone on here that has experience of rebuilding these engines that could give me a rough idea of how much it would likely cost and/or are willing to do this for me? The engine looks mint and has many new parts and was rebuild about 5 years ago.
Weighing up my options on deciding what to do with the car. I've owned it a week and it broke after running it for 4-5 days.

Cost is the unknown but I’m willing to offer my services to strip and rebuild it . It won’t be as expensive.

 

[timmycm850]

Hi All.

Could be pistons ciesed in the block or as previoudly mentioned big end or main bearing spun and locked bottom of engine. Maybe vslve stuck closed stoping cam from turning.
Could even be a snapped conrod locking it up

Any number of ways. Until damage is surveyed noone can suggest repair costs butcould easily be 3k to 4k.

Investigation is likely to cost you an hours labour to get you closer.

They are not that compicated an engine but you would probably want to schedule in a water pump replacement and proper fan system like Fiat built it. Original system works if you keep it clean. Bad maintenance only cost you later.

Tim

850 coupe 1966
Lombardi GP 1970
850 SPYDER 1973
900t camper.
None of these over heat! And ALL RUN STD FAN/Pumps etc

 

[timmycm850]

I had low oil pressure and now engine is seized. I cannot turn it at all. Is there anyone on here that has experience of rebuilding these engines that could give me a rough idea of how much it would likely cost and/or are willing to do this for me? The engine looks mint and has many new parts and was rebuild about 5 years ago.
Weighing up my options on deciding what to do with the car. I've owned it a week and it broke after running it for 4-5 days.

From the outset it seems you had low oil pressure so getting the oil pressure back up needs to be addressed as well as the rebuild due to ceasing.

There are modifications that can be made with the oil pressure systems and remote oil filter work very well on these engines.

 

[bugsymike]

From the outset it seems you had low oil pressure so getting the oil pressure back up needs to be addressed as well as the rebuild due to ceasing.

There are modifications that can be made with the oil pressure systems and remote oil filter work very well on these engines.

Unless there are two recent 850s seizing, I though OP originally posted in April running hot on temp gauge and I advised flush or replace rad, but he said his mechanic had tested with a laser temp gauge and said all OK. My thoughts were still rad core blocked with sediment causing the original overheating, so yes oil side needs looking into but I felt the rad side may have been the start of the problem, but continued driving. Shame as I always thought the 850 was a lovely little car and we used to get several and the Seat versions coming in the garage where I did my apprenticeship late 60s.