Recent content by merlinrunner

My thoughts exactly!

Final tally is in on the replacement engine: $4580 out the door including tax. Includes Amsoil w/filter, water pump, timing belt kit, gaskets, air filter, plugs, etc. Engine runs like new...I figure I also bought myself about 28K miles with the replacement engine since it came out of an 08...

Will do!

Ok, found a good deal on a used engine so I'm going forward with the engine swap. Got a quote from my mechanic for $1900 labor...how does that sound? He claims the 4.7l swap is a more time consuming swap than the 4.0l.

Circling back to the original engine problem, would putting a higher pressure bypass spring in the oil pump do any good?

Best I could find on LKQ was a 4.7L with 122K for $2000. Came out of a 2008 Lexus 470. Not a lot of 4.7L's to pick from out there so I jumped on it. Here we go...

Now that's a number I can live with! Did you get any sort of warranty with that?

Thx for the pics! My mechanic has been into the heads a couple of times now and always comments on how clean everything looks in there. I suppose I could ask him to check the oil pan as well, but with regular oil changes every 5-6K miles with Mobil 1 since it was purchased new, I don't expect...

Thanks waypoint. I'm really leaning toward the less risky path of replacing the engine. I see mixed opinions here concerning used vs rebuilt; I suppose there are good arguments for both. Any experiences out there with either one?

What are you guys thoughts on something like this... TOYOTA 4RUNNER LEXUS GX470 4.7L ENGINE 74K MILES 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 | eBay If I went this route how many labor hours should I be looking at?

Good idea. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask about it. The vehicle has had regular oil changes. Not sure where the sludge would come from.

I'm located in Laughlin, NV...not much to choose from around here. Mostly shade tree shysters looking to rip folks off.

Yes, the mechanic showed me that exact picture in the his shop manual and told me the issue could be a clogged filter. After cleaning the filter, and replacing the actuator, the chatter was still present but more so since there was no residual oil in the actuator. This and other evidence such...

Independent garage, but has a good rep in the area as far as I know.

Discovered as a result of trying to fix a chattering VVT actuator.