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Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > Ford Australia Vehicles > Small and Mid Sized Cars > Cougar and Probe

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Old 21-02-2014, 11:09 AM   #1
neo
NeoProbe
 
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Default Probe Engine Rebuild?

Hi guys,

My 1996 Probe ST (150, 000km) is in need of an engine rebuild (losing water through the head). Everything else on the car is in great condition so I can't bring myself to scrap it. Does anyone have any advice to share with me?

Neo.

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Old 21-02-2014, 11:24 AM   #2
thearrow
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Import a replacement from the USA, it really is not that hard to do.

David
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Old 21-02-2014, 03:02 PM   #3
neo
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Hi David.

Have you imported an engine from the US before? Do you have any ideas about US supplier and costs? I've been quoted $6000 to have mine done here.
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Old 21-02-2014, 06:48 PM   #4
DRU842
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

You should be able source an engine locally. The Probe V6 was a Mazda sourced unit and was common with the Ford Telstar & Mazda 626/MX6 of the same era.
The engine is generally identified as a KL-03. KL-ZE are a higher spec'd & tuned version that were originally only available in Japan but occasionally find there way downunder.
This is geneally true of all the mechanical items on the Probe. Only the body panels were different and truly of US origin.
I'd be checking Mazda wrecker / specialists locally before venturing overseas.
Heaps of technical data available on this US website: http://forums.probetalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=142
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Old 24-02-2014, 03:07 PM   #5
thearrow
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

If you can get an engine here at a reasonable price then you should do it. If however you can't find something locally then chat with the guys on the probetalk forum and see if you can steer you in the right direction.

It's funny but a lot of US suppliers won't ship international but here are ways around it if need be.

It is no problem for me to arrange the shipping for you.
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Owning a Cougar is like owning a Super Model

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2000 Model Eibach Cougar (Auto) - Now dead & buried
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Old 24-02-2014, 03:53 PM   #6
Franco Cozzo
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Sign up at Astinagt.com, those guys might be able to get you a KL-ZE to replace it with, one of the guys there is in the know how to get all sorts of the good stuff down here in Australia, one guy even did a KL-ZE into a Mazda 323.
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Old 25-02-2014, 12:13 AM   #7
neo
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Thanks guys. What about rebuilding my own engine? I've been quoted $5,500 with 12 months warranty.
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Old 25-02-2014, 10:44 AM   #8
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Is this motor a 2.5 v6 or a 2.0 litre??
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2000 Model Eibach Cougar (Auto) - Now dead & buried
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Old 26-02-2014, 12:17 AM   #9
neo
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

It's the 2.5l V6. 150 000km. Runs beautifully when it's not losing coolant!
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Old 26-02-2014, 01:48 PM   #10
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

So what exactly is wrong with it....is it a head gasket or something else??
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Owning a Cougar is like owning a Super Model

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2000 Model Eibach Cougar (Auto) - Now dead & buried
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Old 27-02-2014, 12:12 AM   #11
neo
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

My mechanic said if you're going to go to the trouble to take the head off to find out, I might as well get a rebuild.
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Old 27-02-2014, 10:00 AM   #12
thearrow
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Default Re: Probe Engine Rebuild?

Get a second opinion.......a replacement head gasket is a LOT cheaper than a rebuild, I mean the whole car isn't worth $5500.00 and in any case the motor probably has another 100000km left in it once fixed so I think he is talking crap.

If after all of this you decide on a replacement I can help you out and it won't cost anywhere near $5000.
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2000 Model Eibach Cougar (Auto) - Now dead & buried
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