2001 Renault Master (2.8L S9W) bottom-end engine failure – Sourcing a donor vs. cut my losses? Looking for owner experiences
Hey everyone,
I'm new here, and looking for some practical advice or shared experiences from fellow van lifers and DIY builders who’ve hit a major mechanical wall.
The Situation:
I'm based in Ireland and have a 2001 Renault Master II camper conversion with the 2.8L Sofim (S9W) turbo-diesel. Bought it recently with around 120,000 miles on the clock, expecting plenty of life left in it. Unfortunately, it suffered a catastrophic bottom-end engine failure (crankshaft/bearing failure).
It’s completely non-runnable now. The rest of the van (camper conversion, bodywork, interior setup) is solid, but the engine is toast.
Where I’m At:
Garages: Standard commercial garages won't touch it to rebuild due to age, so a full engine replacement is the only repair route.
Quotes: I’ve located a replacement S9W 700 engine via European dismantlers (RRR.LT / Ovoko) for around €1,300, and a local mechanic willing to do the swap for \~€1,800. So roughly €3,100 all-in to get it back on the road.
Alternative: Selling it as a "non-runner / mechanic's project" on the local market to cut my losses and recoup what cash I can to pay down the existing loan on it.
My Questions for the Community:
Has anyone been through a full engine swap on an older commercial van/camper? Was it worth it in the end, or did it open up a whole new can of worms with ancillary issues?
Has anyone purchased major parts from RRR.LT / Ovoko before? Any gotchas regarding 14-day warranties, delivery, or condition when the pallet lands?
For those who had a catastrophic failure on an older van—did you fix it or cut your losses? If you sold as a non-runner project, did you find a decent buyer pool of DIYers/mechanics?
Any specific quirks on the 2.8L Sofim (S9W) engines I should make sure my mechanic handles while the replacement engine is out on the floor? (Plan on doing the timing belt & water pump as standard).
I'm getting plenty of advice from the mechanical side of things, but I’d really love to hear how other van owners handled this emotionally and financially when faced with a dead engine on a finished/semi-finished rig.
Thanks in advance for any insights!