Hello All,

First post is a sad one. I have a 2002 4runner purchased new from local dealer. I have been current on all maintenance, doing the oil canges at my dealer before the recomended 7500 miles. I now have 124k on it.

Thanksgiving day on the highway coming off the entrance ramp from 40mph I shifted into passing gear hit about 60mph and then it happened! A loud buzzing sound for a second the a LOUD pop. All the oil dumped out leaving a smoke cloud so big all the other cars couldn't be seen. I pulled onto the shoulder of the highway oil was dumping all over the pavement.

I called a tow truck and they put it up on the flat bed. Thats when I saw some things laying on the engine guard. It looks like half of a connecting rod and a bolt bent with striped threads.

I had it towed to the shop and we will see what they say on Monday!

Wow! I was hoping to get 300k out of this engine!

John

Wow,I've don't recall reading about anything like that happening on any 4Runner under 250k.

The dealer inspected the engine. The tech called it "catastrophic engine failure" along with a fire on the engine harness.

The service manager contacted Toyota to see if they would help out on repair becuase it was an engine defect.

He said Toyota refused any assistance becuase it was out of warranty even though I had ALL maintenance done at the dealer.

I was talking to the toyota tech and he stated he liked to buy the cars with blown engines like mine for a few grand to put a used engine in them to sell. Then he asked me if I wanted to sell mine.

The dealer only wanted 5k to put a used engine with 104k miles in it with a 90 day warranty.

They sure dont make then like they used too!