Buy used motor with short block replaced? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

raty4R · 04-06-2020, 04:39 PM

I'm looking to buy a used low mileage motor.
I looked at a possible truck's history and the short block was replaced at a Toyota dealer. The car only had about 40,000 miles on it at that time. It has 140,000 now. all the other dealer service was oil changes and alignments.
Would you buy it? I can't go see it.

UnderFire · 04-06-2020, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raty4R

I'm looking to buy a used low mileage motor.

I looked at a possible truck's history and the short block was replaced at a Toyota dealer. The car only had about 40,000 miles on it at that time. It has 140,000 now. all the other dealer service was oil changes and alignments.

Would you buy it? I can't go see it.

I'd be concerned with maintenance history since I'd assume you're paying a premium for the low mileage. It's hard to tell why the motor was replaced at 40,000. I'd put my money on lack of maintenance over a manufacturer defect if it lasted that long.

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raty4R · 04-06-2020, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderFire

I'd be concerned with maintenance history since I'd assume you're paying a premium for the low mileage. It's hard to tell why the motor was replaced at 40,000. I'd put my money on lack of maintenance over a manufacturer defect if it lasted that long.

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The records show oil change/ inspections each year. Only about 5,000 mi between each oil change every year, all at a Toyota dealer. Just the short block was changed.

gamefreakgc · 04-07-2020, 12:31 AM

The short block is the bottom end of the engine. We are talking pistons, oil pump, connecting rods, cylinders. Those don't just "go bad" at 40K miles, that's what you call a lemon. They only replaced it with a short block to save costs and reused the cylinder heads from the blown engine.

Up to you. A compression check would go a long way in deciding if this engine replacement did any good. Without that you are buying it blind, and they should be willing to do the compression check with you there (don't trust photos or emailed numbers).

raty4R · 04-07-2020, 11:28 AM

Thanks gamefreakgc, That's what i was thinking. Just wanted to see if anyone agreed and I wasn't being paranoid. Prob the last one built on Friday or first one on Monday morning.

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