Posted this in Off Topic as well, thought I'd put it here too. 1997 chevy Malibu V6 3.1L- Daughter's friend owns car. Repair shop claims they had to "replace the engine", and is charging her $3000. Check engine light is on, engine runs rough, I am going to look at it for her. Question is, can I match the engine casting number to VIN? Is there any way to tell for sure if the engine was actually swapped out? Bolts don't really look recently wrenched, but I would like to have proof. I think she is getting scammed.

I believe you can check the vin.

on the side of the block is a casting number,write it down along with vin number and yes it can be looked up to see if original.

If it is a scam, let everyone know and report it to the bbb.

Yeah, I have been informed that a GM dealer can tell what casting number was paired with the VIN number. If the original engine is still in the vehicle (I am pretty convinced it is) I will help the young lady get her money back and file a BBB report as well.
Thanks for the replies.

The number of honest people in this world is declining at a rapid pace.Lord help us.Good luck on getting the ladies money back.

yes you can match it but the problem is that its running rough if he did replace the motor and i do say "if" then the computer might take a while to learn the motor and i have seen ecu not pick up new motoers at all let me know if i can help

Jeff-
Yeah I read the same thing on a truck forum, however I believe the rough running started sometime afterward.
Thanks, I may ask more questions as this saga unfolds...

is it throwing a engine code or is the check engine light on

lureklr
Yes the Check engine light is on, she stopped by Autozone and had them scan it. I don't remember what the code number is but there were several things called out. Half were related to igmnition- specifically a misfire on the #3 cylinder. The others were FI related, resulting in a problem with the #3.
I have a fresh set of plugs for her, hopefully we can get them swapped this weekend. I will pay attention to #3 and comp test if necessary.
Thanks

Too bad she is not closer to Quinlan. I found a guy out there that is a Mitshubishi mechanic that has a shop on the side. He found a used motor for my son's car with 56k intalled for $1700.

check the plug wires too!!!!!
just went thru the same ordeal with a Toyota.
the bad sparkplug wire was arcing down inside the valve cover. would not do it just laying out on top of engine!
replaced the fuel injector and everything else before finding the plug wire bad!!!

Thanks,
I will check the wires and coil towers as well.

sounds like coil to me the is that a cop (coil over piston) system or is it on coil pack ill look into it as well i would start with pulling the wire off the plug, pull the plug, put it back into the wire and hold with pliers make sure there INSULATED pliers hold near a bolt and have someone turn it over check for spark , if none try new plug again if no spark replace the coil.you can do a compression test with youre thumb put it over the sprk plug hole turn it over youll know real fast if that cylinder is flat. also check your fuel injection wiring make sure there all tight