I was wondering what's all the goods an bad's of a 4g54 turbo motor an I'm looking at a conquest tsi he wants 1200 but I might be able to get for less but everyone says the 4g54 has alot of problems what would they be ?

 

having had 3 of them engines:
will overheat and f*ck heads if you let them. Also hard on electrics. Get a bigger alternator.

 

Akzle, how much do you ACTUALLY know about those cars? I've owned one for the better part of a decade now and had no problems at all. I'm running a stock alternator AND pushing a 600 watt amp powering 2 10" subs.

As for the overheating and engine trouble, unless you needlessly beat on them or have a well beaten machine, there is nothing wrong with the engines. They make a nice amount of power and can easily be upgraded.

1200 isn't a bad price depending on the condition of the car. Is it running? Rust anywhere? What's the interior look like? What's the engine sound like? How many miles?

Some things to keep an eye out for, mileage. Over 115k ask if the oil pump has been changed or the engine rebuilt. The oil pumps tend to fail (stock pumps) around 115-130k. Have the injector clips been replaced (cheap $8 job but a common issue in the vehicles), Check the turbo for shaft play. Up and down and in and out.

If you're planning on keeping the car itself, check the seatbelts. The auto seatbelts were prone to retracting strap breaks and motor failures from lack of maintenance. Is it a 5 speed or auto? Get as much of the maintenance history as you can. If you need help, shoot me a PM. I've rebuilt mine and know that car inside and out. It's a solid engine. As a matter of fact, it's so solid that Dodge and Mitsubishi used the block in the D100 and Mighty Max trucks and the block is STILL used to this day is some propane powered fork lifts. The potential is there if you do what is necessary to get it.

Some of the first upgrades you need to look at are things like jet valve removal (if it hasn't been done) or if you want to go a little deeper, a non-jet valve head, balance shaft removal or at least replacing the bearings in them, oil pump replacement, timing chain and guides, etc. I have a number of resources I can point you towards to help you out. Just let me know.

 

I have one of these engines on a propane Generac generator from the late eighties. Just replaced the water pump. Engine purrs like a kitten. Interested if anyone knows what water thermostat I can put in it. We left it dry for a few weeks and had a problem with heating upon restart. Gone now but I'd like to be prepared? Appreciate any help.
Thanks