Engine wanted

[Jaro]

I got to replace the engine in my 1.4 bx (think its 1989). or is there another size which would drop right in -I thought that perhaps the 205 used the same block. How much do these things cost as a refurbished unit?
I live in France so there is the cost of getting it shipped over. Or does anyone have any advise as to refurbishing the engine myself, could this be cost effective?

[citsncycles]

I don't think any other BX engine will drop straight in, as the 14 is quite different mechanically to the rest of the range. Assuming it's the later TU engine, fuel injected versions of the engine were used in ZX, Saxo and Berlingo. I also learned on this forum earlier today that a 1.6 version of the TU was used in the Berlingo, so may be worth looking at to see if it will fit.

[Mickey taker]

Surely getting a French engine in France must be easier than getting one over here and having it shipped over,or why not have your current engine refurbished

[mat_fenwick]

Surely getting a French engine in France must be easier than getting one over here and having it shipped over

/\ Agreed. The 1.6 TU was also used in the 306, so worth a look. Probably a scrapyard engine would be the cheapest/easiest option. Refurbishing your current one could be cost effective, as a lot of the refurbishment cost is labour. It depends on your mechanical skill though.

[KevR]

Whereabouts in France are you?

[Jaro]

I'm near Limoux which is near Carcassonne, Where you lot did a stop over during the BX classic some years ago, my engine is a carb version I think its a TU. There is one for sale in my local breakers at 200 euros but its an unknown quantity? and the work involved in taking out the old one and putting in the new(s/h) one is well, I'm assuming considerable, so I'd hate to do this only to find that the newish one had as many problems as the old.
The old one smokes under load and the clutch is all but gone on it. The last time I refurbished an engine was 45 years ago -bit shaky on what's involved? it isn't my main transport which is a boring little clio but I would like it to be because I just love this car. I've spoken to a couple of local garages but they aren't interested saying its not worth doing because the car is of little monetary value. I know I can buy a another model but I like this one.

[Jaba]

If you cant get hold off a known good engine to drop in then you only have one other option to cure the smokey engine, recon it yourself.
Smoke of the blue sort is usually due to either worn valve guides /valve stem seal or piston ring and bore wear.
I have given engines a new lease of life with new valve stem seals and piston rings.
If this is a spare car then this might be a viable proposition for you.

I remember our trip to Alaigne although I did not actually stay there.

[citronut]

if its a TU 14 the XU/D lump will also fit,
it was only the suitcase engine that was mounted directly onto the sub frame and not hanging from the inner wings as the TU and XU/D lumps do,

also the Saxo VTR has the 1.6TU lump

regards malcolm

[Kitch]

You really want to keep things simple. Any of the higher power 1.4 models and all the 1.6's use an iron block with a slightly different setup. You could in theory use a 1600 block with your head to turn it into a 1600, but you'd have to muck around with carbs to get it to fuel right.

All the cars that use the carb'd alloy TU3 in the (rough) same spec as yours are:

Citroen AX 1.4 (early ones are carb, later ones are SPFI)
Citroen AX GT (same engine, more racy carb, cam and downpipe though this won't fit the BX)
Citroen BX 14 (later)
Citroen ZX 1.4 (early ones are carb, later ones are SPFI)
Peugeot 106 1.4XT
Peugeot 205 GR/XS/GT
Peugeot 306 1.4 (early only)
Peugeot 309 1.4 (later, but not too late!)
Peugeot 405 1.4 (hens teeth)

If you want to use injected model bits, the following are still TU3 alloy:

AX 1.4i
Berlingo 1.4
ZX 1.4i
Saxo 1.4i
Xsara 1.4i
106 1.4i
206 1.4i
306 1.4i
Partner 1.4

The following use the TU3 but with an iron block and high-comp pistons:

AX GTi
106 XSi (earlier)

And these use the TU5 (1.6 - all iron block)

Saxo VSX (auto but you can use your 1400 flywheel)
Saxo VTR
Saxo VTS (big job to get this 16v lump in there with wiring etc)
Xsara 1.6
Xsara Picasso 1.6
C2, C3 etc
106 XSi 1.6
106 Rallye ph2
106 GTi (same issues as Saxo VTS)
206 XS
206 1.6i
306 1.6 (later models only - earlier used XU5)

Info overload, but basically there are loads of engines that will fit for peanuts over here. TU is easy to rebuild though, and they usually only smoke cos the valve seals have gone or the breathers are clogged.

[KevR]

He's in France. No point even speculating about diesel engine transplants because it's not allowed - been there, tried that... Next time you go for a Controle Technique (MoT -equivalent) you'll be turned away because the spec doesn't match the Carte Grise (registration doc - V5 equivalent), and unless you can get Citroen to approve the conversion (which they won't unless it's been carried out by a main dealer and probably not even then) you can't change the spec on the Carte Grise...
I'd go with Jaba's suggestion - piston rings and an overhauled head will probably give it a new lease of life. Only cost-effective if you're going to provide the labour yourself though. But even if your last overhaul was 45 years ago, it's really like riding a bike - you never forget!

[citronut]

i would just whip the head off and see were you might need to go from there,
be aware though these are wet liner engines and you must NOT let the liners move while the head off,

what mileage has this engine done,

the usual failing point on the TU limp is head gasket which usually leaks oil out from the front left corner when looking from under the bonnet,

very very easy engine to work on as you can do all the head removal from under the bonnet, and no need to jack up the car and take of the right hand wheel either

regards malcolm

[Jaro]

Thanks for all your help -think I'm going to go with a rebuild -is there a complete kit I can buy rings bearings and all, from one source? if so what kind of money are we talking about - you've got no idea what tiny budget I find myself working with here!

[toddao]

Have you looked on Leboncoin.fr for a local replacement? I've see quite a few BX motors offered on there often for not-a-lot-a-€€€s.

[smiffy1071]

I've rebuilt a wet liner engine before with no horror stories...
It was a ZX 1.9i volcane, (which is XU, but it will be the same for the TU engine) and it needed new rings, so as the pistons were out anyway, I removed the liners and cleaned out all the crap and scale which collects in the water jacket, and then I bought new o rings which cost nearly nothing to go on the bottom of the liner, and gave them a little "help" to seal using a SMALL amount of hylomar smeared on that o ring. No problem, and no leak!
I think the horror stories you hear about disturbing liners come from people trying to cheat, by not doing the whole job properly. Those liner o rings will be well crushed by now, and so if disturbed don't stand a chance of sealing.

[citsncycles]

I've also worked on wet liner engines (H Van and Skoda) with no issues - it's like any joint with a gasket or seal really, if you don't fit new you risk a leak.