Engine Trouble caused by driving without oil

[TFRnoob]

Some Questions

I have a couple of questions for everyone.

1. Is it possible to replace the main bearings and rod bearings through the oil pan?

2. Under what circumstances would this be advisable (im trying to just get rid of the car at this point)?

3. Is it worth a shot if I don't find any other major defect to the engine (ie. the suspected cracked head/ block)?

Thanks all,

Rich

 

[Twan]

Don't bother trying to just replace the bearings. Have you even considered how you'd get the crank out and then back in? That alone should deter you. Not to mention it totally ignores any possible machine work to the bearing journals or scoring to the cylinder walls, or the fact that the entire oiling system is now full of shredded bearing material. You don't just replace the bearings and call it a day.

You really only have one option if you're not going to pull the motor. Don't put another thought, bit of time, or dollar into it, sell it as-is, and cut your losses.

 

[Park]

Don't bother trying to just replace the bearings. Have you even considered how you'd get the crank out and then back in? That alone should deter you. Not to mention it totally ignores any possible machine work to the bearing journals or scoring to the cylinder walls, or the fact that the entire oiling system is now full of shredded bearing material. You don't just replace the bearings and call it a day.

You really only have one option if you're not going to pull the motor. Don't put another thought, bit of time, or dollar into it, sell it as-is, and cut your losses.

hear hear well said. I declare this thread over lol:canada:

 

[Jdog]

^^^ this guy nailed it.I know it's not the option you were thinking of OP but trying to bandaid the bottom end is really the worst thing. You really would be better of to peruse the craigslist.org and find a wrecked rig or a used motor. Find a fellow t4r.org member Iin your area to help and if you are not mechanical find a friend to teach and help. That is honestly the least expensive and less pain in the booty way of fixing that issue.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Sorry to hear about the truck OP.

I'm confused on after the many people who are very knowledgeable about these trucks say "pull the motor" you just say "yeah, but . . . ".

This thread is long over. 3 pages of people telling you the entire motor is toast, not many other ways of saying it.

 

[4by4th]

More details in the link in my signature but the dealer forgot to put oil in our 4Runner during an oil change and my wife started to drive it home when it died. Very long story short the lower bearings froze up and turned in the aluminum block. Short block was replaced by dealers insurance. The engine was absolutely destroyed even though it still ran and I pulled my 20 foot boat a couple hundred miles with it prior to finding metal shavings in the oil with my mechanic and dealers service manager watching.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Rich,

Everyone keeps telling you the same thing yet you keep asking again and again.

We already told you - that engine is toast so start looking at used engines or a new vehicle.

I don't see what the point is for someone to ask the internet a question and then just ignore the advice. Why ask in the first place then.

BTW, the answers to all three of your updated questions are right there on the first page of this thread.

 

[Brique]

Not to pile on you here, but just to repeat for the sake of clarity, you really have two options:

1. Put a "new" engine in and keep it.

2. Sell it as is.

No one's going to want to buy a truck with a half-rebuilt engine in it. And for that matter, it'd be hard to sell with a "new" engine because the buyer can't tell what quality replacement was put in, and they'll be wondering if it was a real rebuild or a job like you're talking about above.

 

[RedSled]

You're right, it wasn't in amazing shape. There was an oil leak that needed to be addressed and i am beginning to suspect a failing oil pump. The oil light would go occasionally and there would be oil still in the truck. :rip:

Basically its toast but if i can get rid of the rod knock etc and band aid fix it maybe I can sell it "as is" and explain what happened to the truck. Perhaps someone else can address the oil leak/oil pump etc. Who knows...

Right now I am trying to cut my losses and figure out what the best path is to take financially. I don't mind working on the truck if it will get me money to buy a new truck or something.

This is just my opinion, but it sounds like you are going to scam some poor soul to buying it after you bandaid it together.

 

[Red October]

I have a couple of questions for everyone.

1. Is it possible to replace the main bearings and rod bearings through the oil pan?

Possible, yes. Should you do it? Absolutely not! From what you have described this engine was waiting to die, and then did. This is a job best left to someone who knows what to look for. There is much more wrong with this engine than just rod knock, and rod knock doesn't just "go away."

2. Under what circumstances would this be advisable (im trying to just get rid of the car at this point)?

Basically never. Rod knock is the very last step before thrown/broken rod. I have no doubt that this engine has many more issues than a "simple" lol, rod knock.

3. Is it worth a shot if I don't find any other major defect to the engine (ie. the suspected cracked head/ block)?

Again, NO!

Thanks all,

Rich

Edit;

Sorry got a little carried away and didn't realize that I was an echo in a very long series of "NO!,... No!,.... no!..... " echoes

 

[Scramble]

Why did I read this thread again?:ybrick:

 

[KingSuper]

Just seafoam it, it'll be fine.

Seriously though, if your landlord wants it out ASAP and you don't want a warrantied replacement motor, just throw it up on CraigsList. When my Grand Cherokee's engine called it quits, I threw it up on CL and some one bought it that day for $2100. I wouldn't consider any other options than those two.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

And like I said, a lot of Canadians actually peruse the Southern States craigslists for rust free vehicles. To some of them, a toast engine won't matter cause the want it for the chassis.

The 4Runner market is a niche market, but it's a market none the less.

 

[TFRnoob]

Why did I read this thread again?:ybrick:

Because something inside tells you this thread is going to get interesting.

uke:

-Rich

 

[TFRnoob]

I found treasure in my oil pan! :d

I found some interesting things in my oil pan. It looks like I have some aluminum shavings as well as an extremely fine metal oil sludge as I expected. What I didn't expect was the enormous metal piece that I found! I wonder where it came from in my engine. It looks like a piece of a bearing perhaps. I am going to clean up the shavings and post another pic.

My plan now is to keep on keepin' on with my plans to try my band-aid job. It's only going to cost a couple hundo and a little of my time. So I am going to keep posting pics and what not and let people know how long it takes before it breaks down again if I can get it to run. This should be a fun journey. Once it breaks down again, I will just sell it for scraps to an eager beaver from Canada as suggested previously in this thread as I agree that it would be unconscionable to sell my car to anyone expecting a functioning daily-driver.

That being said, if anyone reads this thread and is interested in buying my truck let me know. Everyone else, post suggestions and keep posted to find out what happens next.

 

[TFRnoob]

This is just my opinion, but it sounds like you are going to scam some poor soul to buying it after you bandaid it together.

:iagree:

No i couldn't do that. Wouldn't be right. If Someone was interested it would be a full disclosure kind of scenario. Karma and such. I guess I am stuck with the truck.

:ballchain:

 

[Twan]

 

[cashmoney]

That looks like coolant in your oil. $20 your head gaskets are blown. Pull the motor and rebuild it.

 

[TFRnoob]

And like I said, a lot of Canadians actually peruse the Southern States craigslists for rust free vehicles. To some of them, a toast engine won't matter cause the want it for the chassis.

The 4Runner market is a niche market, but it's a market none the less.

The more I think about it, the more this idea appeals to me. Is there a Canadian Craig's List? Pardon my ignorance. :/

Thanks for the advice btw!

-Rich

 

[RedSled]

I found some interesting things in my oil pan. It looks like I have some aluminum shavings as well as an extremely fine metal oil sludge as I expected. What I didn't expect was the enormous metal piece that I found! I wonder where it came from in my engine. It looks like a piece of a bearing perhaps. I am going to clean up the shavings and post another pic.

My plan now is to keep on keepin' on with my plans to try my band-aid job. It's only going to cost a couple hundo and a little of my time. So I am going to keep posting pics and what not and let people know how long it takes before it breaks down again if I can get it to run. This should be a fun journey. Once it breaks down again, I will just sell it for scraps to an eager beaver from Canada as suggested previously in this thread as I agree that it would be unconscionable to sell my car to anyone expecting a functioning daily-driver.

That being said, if anyone reads this thread and is interested in buying my truck let me know. Everyone else, post suggestions and keep posted to find out what happens next.

Post up some pics. You never know maybe someone will toss you some coin.