'97 Blown Spark Plug | Timesert | New-used Engine?

[ZanderCoats]

I have a '97 4Runner 2WD with 193K. Owned it since June 2013. Got it inspected by a Toyota technician and found zero glaring issues with the truck. I have about $4500 in it.

About 3 weeks ago, I became a victim of a blown spark plug. It destroyed the entire boot and stripped the plug threads. I purchased a new boot, plug, and had a trustworthy shop put in a Timesert.

Two weeks later, the plug blew again! Unreal. The $120 boot destroyed and the Timesert completely mangled. Called the shop who said you can't put another Timesert in the same plug? Is this true?! They said my only option was to get the head machined or get an engine swap. Anyone run into the same issue I have?

If I really CAN'T get another Timesert, I am leaning towards finding a new-used engine since mine has 193K on it. I am located in GA. Any recommendations on where to find reliable/guaranteed engines?

Any advice would extremely appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JBurt]

I don't think you can or would want to replace the timesert. You don't have to get a new engine either though. You could replace just the head.

There are several people around the thread that have gotten JDM low mileage engines. I think about a grand. If you go that route I think I could point out some of them to you.

193k isn't that bad for mileage, but I would want to know why you kept blowing plugs. Did the shop that you had do the work give any warranty on it? 2 weeks and an unrepairable head seems like a bad deal to me.

 

[ZanderCoats]

Right, I wasn't sure about replacing a Timesert. I didn't think I could.

I was thinking about getting the one head machined, but I just don't know if I trust the other head. I feel better about just doing a engine swap, but I don't know. I'm not sure what the best option is.

No warranty on timesert repair, unfortunately. I was a bit surprised too, but my family has been going to this shop for years so I trust them.

I think the plug blew the first time because whoever put it in cross-threaded it, and then the second time, I guess cause the timesert just failed. The band-aid approach.

I would love it if you could point me towards some JDM low mileage engines. Thanks for the help!

 

[LittleCaesar]

Used non JDM motor is the best route to go IMHO, or at least it is what others seem to have the most success doing.

I have seen a timesert used in the same spark plug hole more than once. It lasted in less time that the first one did so a used engine was found and lasted another 60k miles until the truck was totaled in an accident.

 

[JBurt]

I don't know where they got them but both [MENTION=114863]4RunningDaily[/MENTION] and [MENTION=3233]RedRunner[/MENTION] have both gone that route. Maybe the could help you out. They were both in the San Diego area though. I'm sure someone in GA could get them in though.

 

[MONTYMTB]

I would love it if you could point me towards some JDM low mileage engines. Thanks for the help!

I see this ad on cl frequently, but I know nothing about them so do your homework: https://bham.craigslist.org/ptd/4672225381.html

 

[poleclimber63]

Right, I wasn't sure about replacing a Timesert. I didn't think I could.

I was thinking about getting the one head machined, but I just don't know if I trust the other head. I feel better about just doing a engine swap, but I don't know. I'm not sure what the best option is.

No warranty on timesert repair, unfortunately. I was a bit surprised too, but my family has been going to this shop for years so I trust them.

I think the plug blew the first time because whoever put it in cross-threaded it, and then the second time, I guess cause the timesert just failed. The band-aid approach.

I would love it if you could point me towards some JDM low mileage engines. Thanks for the help!

I would exhaust all options before I went to an engine replacement. I had a rod failure and went the JDM route--- they claimed the engine had 45K miles... when I replaced the VCG's and pan gasket this engine was exceptionally clean and the cams had no sign of ware. Anyways, the replacement engine cost me $1400USD plus shipping +taxes. It's been running great, no regrets and the replacement wasn't that hard.

link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/167172-my-engine-swap-progress.html

 

[02SE]

I have a '97 4Runner 2WD with 193K. Owned it since June 2013. Got it inspected by a Toyota technician and found zero glaring issues with the truck. I have about $4500 in it.

About 3 weeks ago, I became a victim of a blown spark plug. It destroyed the entire boot and stripped the plug threads. I purchased a new boot, plug, and had a trustworthy shop put in a Timesert.

Two weeks later, the plug blew again! Unreal. The $120 boot destroyed and the Timesert completely mangled. Called the shop who said you can't put another Timesert in the same plug? Is this true?! They said my only option was to get the head machined or get an engine swap. Anyone run into the same issue I have?

If I really CAN'T get another Timesert, I am leaning towards finding a new-used engine since mine has 193K on it. I am located in GA. Any recommendations on where to find reliable/guaranteed engines?

Any advice would extremely appreciated. Thanks!

It depends. Without seeing the cylinder head, I can't give you an answer as to whether another Timesert could be installed.

I can tell you that cylinder heads can be repaired, but the cost of doing so would likely exceed the cost of just buying a complete reconditioned 3RZ-FE or 5VZ-FE (you didn't state which engine you have) head from a reputable engine repair/machine shop.

Repairing would usually be reserved for expensive cylinder heads.

An example of a cylinder head that was repaired before and after: