How long to swap out a dead 1.4t?

[PoppedSonic]

I have a 2012 1.4t manual 84k miles. A couple weeks ago it started to knock real bad.

Found a replacement engine, and im trying to get a general idea of how long it will take to swap out the old and put the new on in.

 

[YouBeTailsIllBeSonic]

I would also love a rough estimate. Would like to build one and swap I the future.

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[JTee2017]

Kind of tough to answer. A lot depends on the experience and proficiency of the person(s) doing it. Then there is the inevitable snafu of some associated parts getting broken or damaged in the process. Ex. Exhaust system (rusted) components don't take too well to unbolting. Same with the cooling, A/C system, heater connections, electrial wiring harnesses and connections, etc. Then waiting for said extra needed parts to show up to install.

 

[skurtov]

Hardest part would be to get the AC unit lines seperated out. All electrical harnesses out, so as long as you can reach the harnesses and separate them. It shouldn't be too bad.

csmans.com should have an instructional.

 

[PoppedSonic]

Kind of tough to answer. A lot depends on the experience and proficiency of the person(s) doing it. Then there is the inevitable snafu of some associated parts getting broken or damaged in the process. Ex. Exhaust system (rusted) components don't take too well to unbolting. Same with the cooling, A/C system, heater connections, electrial wiring harnesses and connections, etc. Then waiting for said extra needed parts to show up to install.

My neighbor is a mechanic, been at it 25-30 years. He probably has ever tool known to man, minus any of the specialty tools like to pull the wheel drive shafts. He is pretty confident he can do the work. He just trying to get a rough estimate of how long it would take him.

 

[92dakota]

no issues arise.. 6 hours.. knuckle scrapes and wrenches flying 7-8.. beer 9-12 .. wife helps... 2-3 weeks .. kidding aside. i pulled and replaced a 1.4T in 5 hours in backyard since its to much pain in arse to pull subframe and tranny to replace rear main in backyard LOL but the ac was dead so i didnt have to worry about that part..

 

[PoppedSonic]

no issues arise.. 6 hours.. knuckle scrapes and wrenches flying 7-8.. beer 9-12 .. wife helps... 2-3 weeks .. kidding aside. i pulled and replaced a 1.4T in 5 hours in backyard since its to much pain in arse to pull subframe and tranny to replace rear main in backyard LOL but the ac was dead so i didnt have to worry about that part..

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I was guessing the beer time frame as a minimum.

 

[92dakota]

yea thats why i include the beer time.. or if i have someone helping i tend to be a little slower.

just remember tho if you got to swap parts over to new engine it will add to the time as we all know a motor from a u pull it might have missing parts haha

 

[PoppedSonic]

Very true. The "new" motor just came in and it looks complete, but you never know until you get into it.

If you have any other tips to make the swap easier please don't hesitate to share.

The last thing i need to complete this is the driveshaft retaining nuts. If you happen to have a part number that would be super helpful.

 

[christian4917]

Just curious, where did you get your new engine from? Have you done any tests on it? (Compression etc.) It would be killer to have someone from the forums detail the swap up in a post or youtube if it hasn't already been done?

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[skurtov]

Just curious, where did you get your new engine from? Have you done any tests on it? (Compression etc.) It would be killer to have someone from the forums detail the swap up in a post or youtube if it hasn't already been done?

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You can get engines from car-parts.com or eBay. Most cars written off are for body damage not lack of compression. Many engines are tested before they're listed.

A swap will be about the same for any car. Just have to be observant and meticulous. If you are looking for a guide on how to do it, then you shouldn't be biting off something that large and complicated.

 

[christian4917]

Eh, you're probably right. But everyone has to start somewhere [emoji2369]

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[92dakota]

just make sure everything is disconnected and when lifting out.. slow...

 

[PoppedSonic]

Just curious, where did you get your new engine from? Have you done any tests on it? (Compression etc.) It would be killer to have someone from the forums detail the swap up in a post or youtube if it hasn't already been done?

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I got this particular motor from LKQ. It came from a 2015 Trax w/26k mi. was roughly $900 shipped to my house. Came compression tested and a 6 month warranty.

If time wasn't a factor, I would consider doing some type of DIY vid, but I desperately need to get back on the road ASAP. Uber and bumming rides are starting to wear my pockets thin, and its only bee 3 weeks.

 

[christian4917]

I got this particular motor from LKQ. It came from a 2015 Trax w/26k mi. was roughly $900 shipped to my house. Came compression tested and a 6 month warranty.



If time wasn't a factor, I would consider doing some type of DIY vid, but I desperately need to get back on the road ASAP. Uber and bumming rides are starting to wear my pockets thin, and its only bee 3 weeks.

Thats not a bad deal at all. Ill have to keep an eye out there is an LKQ like 2 miles from me. Yeah if it was my daily i wouldn't be doing a video either. But maybe some helpful tips for anyone that has to do it down the road would be nice! I haven't came across any so far. Good luck!

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[PoppedSonic]

Thats not a bad deal at all. Ill have to keep an eye out there is an LKQ like 2 miles from me. Yeah if it was my daily i wouldn't be doing a video either. But maybe some helpful tips for anyone that has to do it down the road would be nice! I haven't came across any so far. Good luck!

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Thanks! Hopefully it will be back on the road by next weekend.

There definitely aren't a ton of tips out there to be found, but you can find answers to kind of piece the process together along with the chevy sonic repair manual. The most challenging thing for me so far was finding the wheel driveshaft retaining nut. The dealership has them listed as test nuts, so they had a really hard time finding them for me. Im not confident they gave me the correct thing after plugging the part# 13208672 into gmparts direct its says they won't fit my vehicle, so I still have to button that down.

 

[YouBeTailsIllBeSonic]

As long as it is an ecotec 1.4 then it should drop in no problem right? Or is there a difference between one for a manual and one for an auto? As far as sensors for the transmission etc

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[92dakota]

Thanks! Hopefully it will be back on the road by next weekend.

There definitely aren't a ton of tips out there to be found, but you can find answers to kind of piece the process together along with the chevy sonic repair manual. The most challenging thing for me so far was finding the wheel driveshaft retaining nut. The dealership has them listed as test nuts, so they had a really hard time finding them for me. Im not confident they gave me the correct thing after plugging the part# 13208672 into gmparts direct its says they won't fit my vehicle, so I still have to button that down.

so your pulling the transmission out with it then... or dropping it out the bottom with the cradle.... or? when i did my auto i just pulled the motor ... never touched the axles or nuts.. as that part number brings up anyway..

 

[PoppedSonic]

so your pulling the transmission out with it then... or dropping it out the bottom with the cradle.... or? when i did my auto i just pulled the motor ... never touched the axles or nuts.. as that part number brings up anyway..

Reading the step by step in the sonic repair manual it says you have to pull the axles, so I was trying to get all the parts needed before anything was started. It also states to drop it out the bottom with the cradle. If the axles don't need to be removed, and it can come out the top i'm sure that will save a ton of time.

I do plan on swapping out the clutch and flywheel, water pump, and the sway bar link stabilizers.

When you did your swap. Did you use a repair manual, or just go at it tools swinging?

 

[PoppedSonic]

As long as it is an ecotec 1.4 then it should drop in no problem right? Or is there a difference between one for a manual and one for an auto? As far as sensors for the transmission etc

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As far as I've read 2012-2016 engines are a direct swap. The only additional part you will need if you have a manual and are replacing with an engine out of an auto, is a clutch pilot bearing part# 9157141.