All you need is a new engine! Happy New Year!

[Alistor]

Ok fellow 4Runner lovers I need a shoulder to cry on. I have owned my 05 SR5 4x4 V6 for about 4 months now (my second T4R). Absolutely the best car I have owned, until today. So over the past few days I have been packing and preparing for my move to Colorado. This morning I pack up my life (aka everything I own) into the uhaul trailer and load the runner up for my big move to Denver. Everything is going fantastic until about 40 miles north of Las Vegas Speedway. Engine oil light pops on, oh crap I think, I just had my oil changed yesterday they must have screwed up something (filter, plug, etc). So I look for a place to pull over safely. Not 30 seconds after the engine oil light pops on my dash lights up like a Christmas tree, pull over immediately! Truck stalls as I pull off the shoulder. I jump out and open the hood, no smells, no oil leaking, nothing. Im stumped. Get back in the car turn the key, the car turns over but will not fire, im dead in the water. Thinking that I dont want to hurt things further I get a 300 dollar tow back into town (keep in mind I have a uhaul trailer in tow as well). Its New Years Eve, I goto 6 shops looking for someone, anyone who is open. Finally find a shop off of Sahara ave, good guy, nice guy. Takes a look, cant find anything, anything at all, until he gets in deeper. Long story short all 3 (yes we have 3) timing chains are broken AND some/all valves are probably bent. Guy says that a brand new block is the fastest and cheapest option (read brand new engine basically). So the moral of the story is no one builds a perfect machine . I will keep you updated if I can afford to get a new block put in this week. Im so over 2010. :toilet:

Any recommendations, things I should look for or stay away from, advise is always welcome.

 

[audiness]

if it were me, i would look into buying a used motor from a junkyard.

 

[Casper421]

:iagree: with A.W.E.S.O.M-O!

 

[progress4m]

Sorry to hear about your engine trouble man…..

if it were me, i would look into buying a used motor from a junkyard.

X2. on that.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

How many miles were on your engine?

 

[JB.]

All you need is a new engine! Happy New Year!

Oh man, that's too bad. Helluva New Year's Eve story.

Yeah, post back on the outcome.

Are you going to have the Sahara guy do the work? What the name of the place? Always nice to know who the good guys are.

 

[Alistor]

How many miles were on your engine?

101K on the dash

 

[Alistor]

Oh man, that's too bad. Helluva New Year's Eve story.

Yeah, post back on the outcome.

Are you going to have the Sahara guy do the work? What the name of the place? Always nice to know who the good guys are.

I have not decided if I will have him do the work yet, he does come recommended from a reliable source. I will let you know what my experience with him is.

 

[Grems4Ever]

Time for a salvage yard engine!

 

[LandRvr Convert]

wow man what a bummer. Hopefully you can find a salvaged 4Runner and pull the engine.
Keep us posted and good luck!!

 

[DocMT]

Alister,

Let us know what they find out when they pull the engine apart. I'm curious to know what the cause of the failure turns out to be. A broken timing chain can be caused by other malfunctions, as they rarely break on their own...especially at just 100K miles.

 

[CAFROG]

I wonder if Toyota will let it slide on the 100K Drive-train? Its so close.

 

[MikesToy]

I wonder if Toyota will let it slide on the 100K Drive-train? Its so close.

x 2. I would call and ask Toyota if they'll give you a new engine.

 

[Nuke]

Aren't our engines non-interference engines, such that if the timing belt/chain did fail it wouldn't cause other internal damage? :wtf:

I'm thinking the shop is pulling one on you.

 

[Alistor]

Aren't our engines non-interference engines, such that if the timing belt/chain did fail it wouldn't cause other internal damage? :wtf:

I'm thinking the shop is pulling one on you.

He did say that the damage was repairable, however the cost of labor and parts was so close that it was his recommendation to get a new/different short block. I have been in contact with the dealer I bought it from and the extended warranty is going to cover SOME of the parts and labor. We have found a 05 V6 in Phoenix with 48K on it for 2700 and thats is the direction I am leaning. Getting a new engine is also something they will cover however it is special order from Japan and I wont be on the road for weeks.

 

[DocMT]

Aren't our engines non-interference engines, such that if the timing belt/chain did fail it wouldn't cause other internal damage? :wtf:

I'm thinking the shop is pulling one on you.

1GR-FE is definitely an interference engine.

 

[scottm]

They'll cover a new engine and you're leaning toward used? Because you'll be without the vehicle for weeks? I think you'll be without your truck nearly as long with the used engine. Go with the new engine.

 

[M1911]

They'll cover a new engine and you're leaning toward used? Because you'll be without the vehicle for weeks? I think you'll be without your truck nearly as long with the used engine. Go with the new engine.

Agree completely. If Toyota is going to give you a new engine (or even just pay for most of it), go with the new engine rather than a used engine. See if Toyota will give you a loaner car while you wait for it.

 

[scottm]

A new, original engine from the factory in a 100k vehicle will reset the clock for resale quite a bit. Not all the way, but it'll make a substantial difference. And you'll have all new hoses, belts, seals, etc.

 

[Alistor]

Ok the last couple days have been fun filled going back and forth with everyone involved. The "extended warranty" is through a company called Guardian (do NOT recommend them) and they sent their inspector to look at the engine. Even though their warranty says bumper to bumper and does cover all engine failure they are trying to get out of paying ANYTHING by saying they do not cover "engine sludge". The previous owner did not take care of this engine at all (see attached pic). The truck is now at the dealership where I bought it and they said they will make the warranty company cover whatever work they end up doing, but Im not holding my breath. CAVEAT EMPTOR!