4runner needs new engine

knomadic

knomadic

New member
Sad story: we bought a 98 4runner in January and in May, the crank pulley fell out. We brought it to a local mechanic who totally botched the job. It should have been an easy fix, so I thought. Get a new harmonic balancer, and a new bolt, and put it back together with some lock-tite. However, he got a used bolt from a junk yard and over-tensioned it with lock-tite on it and snapped the bolt in half in the crank. He tried to mask this by putting a shorter bolt in with some extra washers to get the tension but the crank pulley fell right back out on the way home. We towed it to another mechanic and they said we need a new engine now because there's no way to get the rest of the bolt out of the crank.

SO.....

Where is a reliable resource for getting a refurbished engine for a reasonable price with a warranty?

OR.....

What else do y'all suggest I could do?

I'm really bummed. Thanks for reading
 
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Scramble said:
I'd make the first so called "mechanic" fix it.
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kind of scared to let him touch it again.

we're trying to get him to pay for it but small claims court is cheap and doesn't guarantee he'll pay even if we win. he's not interested in fixing the problem.

the mechanics we have talked to (not the ones that have worked on our 4runner) have given us the impression that it's not worthwhile to replace just the crank? are they wrong?
 
knomadic said:
Sad story: we bought a 98 4runner in January and in May, the crank pulley fell out. We brought it to a local mechanic who totally botched the job. It should have been an easy fix, so I thought. Get a new harmonic balancer, and a new bolt, and put it back together with some lock-tite. However, he got a used bolt from a junk yard and over-tensioned it with lock-tite on it and snapped the bolt in half in the crank. He tried to mask this by putting a shorter bolt in with some extra washers to get the tension but the crank pulley fell right back out on the way home. We towed it to another mechanic and they said we need a new engine now because there's no way to get the rest of the bolt out of the crank.

SO.....

Where is a reliable resource for getting a refurbished engine for a reasonable price with a warranty?

OR.....

What else do y'all suggest I could do?

I'm really bummed. Thanks for reading
Click to expand...

Why would anyone get a used crank pulley bolt when a new one is $6 from the dealership? Sorry, he is one of the worst mechanics I've read about.

I don't know of anyone who has replaced just the crank. They might be out there. Doesn't mean it's not possible. May have to remove the engine to do it. Most just replace the engine when the crank pulley and/or bolt fails.

How many miles?

What is the condition of the truck?
 
stir_fry_boy said:
Why would anyone get a used crank pulley bolt when a new one is $6 from the dealership? Sorry, he is one of the worst mechanics I've read about.

I don't know of anyone who has replaced just the crank. They might be out there. Doesn't mean it's not possible. May have to remove the engine to do it. Most just replace the engine when the crank pulley and/or bolt fails.

How many miles?

What is the condition of the truck?
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it has 220k or so, the body is in great shape. yes, i agree, he was negligent and we are pursuing avenues for reimbursement like kind (meaning, we're going to hold him responsible for fixing it to the condition is was in before he touched it).
 
knomadic said:
kind of scared to let him touch it again.

we're trying to get him to pay for it but small claims court is cheap and doesn't guarantee he'll pay even if we win. he's not interested in fixing the problem.

the mechanics we have talked to (not the ones that have worked on our 4runner) have given us the impression that it's not worthwhile to replace just the crank? are they wrong?
Click to expand...


I hear ya, I hope you win in court & the fleas of a thousands camels infest is crotch. :boink:
 
If the broken bolt is the only issue it ought to be a simple job to remove it with an EZ-out. Of course the radiator, condenser, and grille would need to be out of the way.
 
jhfleet said:
If the broken bolt is the only issue it ought to be a simple job to remove it with an EZ-out. Of course the radiator, condenser, and grille would need to be out of the way.
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200 ft-lbs plus lock-tite on an EZ-out? I'm skeptical. Let us know how that works out?
 
ShooterMcGavin said:
200 ft-lbs plus lock-tite on an EZ-out? I'm skeptical. Let us know how that works out?
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The torque is not there anymore if the head is broken off. Probably didn't use any loctite. If he did, a minimal amount off heat will break that. An easy out is definitely worth a try. The question remains if the end of the CS is torn up or not.
 
Yes, this is what I was thinking too. Drill the stuck bolt and tap it out with bolt extractor. I wonder how he broke that thick bolt? And what kind of tool did he use to stop the crank from spinning? Did he use the starter bump method?
 
nissanh said:
Yes, this is what I was thinking too. Drill the stuck bolt and tap it out with bolt extractor. I wonder how he broke that thick bolt? And what kind of tool did he use to stop the crank from spinning? Did he use the starter bump method?
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This, and use a left hand twist drill bit when you do drill it. I've had bolt stems spin out with just the drill bit.
 
Um, Just out of curiosity, Can something be welded on ? Technich on rusted manifold bolts. (Forgive if this is stupid) But might be overlooked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDlk7B-PRAA

If you are suing in small claims make sure you sue for more than what you intend to get. you can only claim for what you sue for. so if you sue for 1000, and turns out the cost was 2000 you can only get 1000. (without suing again)

If it is just a 1 bay or 2 bay mechanic you might be able to make him not worth his time.
 
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oh and if you do have judgement against him, pay a marshal or those debt collectors there 40 percent and have them raid his tools legally. I'm sure he has **** other people over.
 
ShooterMcGavin said:
200 ft-lbs plus lock-tite on an EZ-out? I'm skeptical. Let us know how that works out?
Click to expand...

I agree, I've used an easy out when i broke off bolts in the head but that wasn't 200ftlbs with locktite. looks like he tried to drill the bolt out, there are filings below the crank. still waiting on the dealership that has the 4runner now to take off the front and take pictures. should have done it myself but i work 7 days a week....so hard to find good help
 
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