Help 1998 4runner 4WD SRS5 standard transmission -engine died

[willey_coyote]

I need some help. We have a 13 year old 4runner only 87K miles. This truck has been with us since we bought it back in 1997 and we love it. My problem was that my engine died as I was driving, no signs of problems were given before it happened.
It was a very hot day (109 F) I was turning from a stop sign, as I shifted my gear from first to second there was a weird noise (like when your gear does not engage) then the motor oil came out, all of the oil came out. I stopped immediately and waited for the tow truck. The mechanic tells me that half of the block has to be replaced and also the core. He tells me that heads are still usable.
My question to this forum is, has anybody heard of breaking an engine when shifting from 1st to 2nd at 10 mph? That does not make any sense to me. I don't understand how all the motor oil came out of the engine. Nobody can explain it to me.
Now I have to make a choice, getting a new motor or rebuilding the motor. Both choices are ~6k and I don't know if we want to spend that kind of money. Can anybody help me? As you can tell I don't know much about motors, but I really care about this 4runner.

Thanks in advance,

Maria

 

[quicksilvr]

I need some help. We have a 13 year old 4runner only 87K miles. This truck has been with us since we bought it back in 1997 and we love it. My problem was that my engine died as I was driving, no signs of problems were given before it happened.
It was a very hot day (109 F) I was turning from a stop sign, as I shifted my gear from first to second there was a weird noise (like when your gear does not engage) then the motor oil came out, all of the oil came out. I stopped immediately and waited for the tow truck. The mechanic tells me that half of the block has to be replaced and also the core. He tells me that heads are still usable.
My question to this forum is, has anybody heard of breaking an engine when shifting from 1st to 2nd at 10 mph? That does not make any sense to me. I don't understand how all the motor oil came out of the engine. Nobody can explain it to me.
Now I have to make a choice, getting a new motor or rebuilding the motor. Both choices are ~6k and I don't know if we want to spend that kind of money. Can anybody help me? As you can tell I don't know much about motors, but I really care about this 4runner.

Thanks in advance,

Maria

Interesting. I think we need a few more specifics to give a decent answer to your question. Where did the oil come out? (just know whether it was the top or the bottom would even be helpful)

 

[Pikeman]

It probably has nothing to do with the speed you were going. Sounds like you threw a rod. Meaning one of your pistons or crank bearing seezed and the connecting rod broke and put a hole in your block. that is a sure fire way to let the oil out in a hurry. You can find used engines on the forums or at local scrap yards in the 1000 range.

 

[willey_coyote]

Interesting. I think we need a few more specifics to give a decent answer to your question. Where did the oil come out? (just know whether it was the top or the bottom would even be helpful)

It came out from the bottom of the car. The driver of the tow truck mentioned something like "maybe the case broke". The mechanic tells me that the core has to be replaced and that the lower part of the motor is gone. I call Toyota and they offer to take a look at the engine to see what went wrong.

 

[willey_coyote]

To Pikeman,
Any website you may suggest? I really love this truck.

 

[quicksilvr]

It probably has nothing to do with the speed you were going. Sounds like you threw a rod. Meaning one of your pistons or crank bearing seezed and the connecting rod broke and put a hole in your block. that is a sure fire way to let the oil out in a hurry. You can find used engines on the forums or at local scrap yards in the 1000 range.

Agreed.

It came out from the bottom of the car. The driver of the tow truck mentioned something like "maybe the case broke". The mechanic tells me that the core has to be replaced and that the lower part of the motor is gone. I call Toyota and they offer to take a look at the engine to see what went wrong.

That weird noise you heard that sounded like a gear not engaging...that was a rod breaking.

The basics are that you need a new block. However, it might be cheaper and easier to get a whole new engine, instead of trying to reuse your heads and put them on a new block....effectively stripping the engine down of all accessories.

 

[quicksilvr]

To Pikeman,
Any website you may suggest? I really love this truck.

Here's a 5VZ-FE on ebay for $1500.

95 03 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER TACOMA T100 TUNDRA ENGINE 5VZ FE: eBay Motors (item 390230862625 end time Sep-05-10 14:28:29 PDT)


You should be able to find an engine for that same 1500-2000 range. An honest hard-working shop should be able to pull your old engine and install the new one for about $1000. Total = $3000 max

 

[willey_coyote]

Interesting. I think we need a few more specifics to give a decent answer to your question. Where did the oil come out? (just know whether it was the top or the bottom would even be helpful)

Here's a 5VZ-FE on ebay for $1500.

95 03 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER TACOMA T100 TUNDRA ENGINE 5VZ FE: eBay Motors (item 390230862625 end time Sep-05-10 14:28:29 PDT)


You should be able to find an engine for that same 1500-2000 range. An honest hard-working shop should be able to pull your old engine and install the new one for about $1000. Total = $3000 max

Would an engine like this one will work on the 4runner that I have? You have to excuse my ignorance but I really don't know.
Thanks a lot for your input.

 

[quicksilvr]

Would an engine like this one will work on the 4runner that I have? You have to excuse my ignorance but I really don't know.
Thanks a lot for your input.

Sorry, I should have clarified! The 5VZ-FE is the engine you currently have. Any 5VZ-FE, whether it is from a 4runner, Tacoma, Tundra, etc....will work as a replacement engine.

 

[willey_coyote]

Sorry, I should have clarified! The 5VZ-FE is the engine you currently have. Any 5VZ-FE, whether it is from a 4runner, Tacoma, Tundra, etc....will work as a replacement engine.

Thanks a lot quicksilvr!!

 

[Pikeman]

Actually one question we forgot to ask was, do you have the 4 Cyl or the 6 Cyl engine?

The 5VZ is the V6(6cyl) that was used in the 4Runners, Tacoma's and T100 for the same time frame. I believe the 4 cyl engine is the 3RZ.

 

[XJeepguy]

Sounds you through a rod . I sure don't hear of many runners doing that , especially at that low a mileage . I doubt that shifting caused this . If its a rod you wont be rebuilding that one . Re-manufactured engine .

I need some help. We have a 13 year old 4runner only 87K miles. This truck has been with us since we bought it back in 1997 and we love it. My problem was that my engine died as I was driving, no signs of problems were given before it happened.
It was a very hot day (109 F) I was turning from a stop sign, as I shifted my gear from first to second there was a weird noise (like when your gear does not engage) then the motor oil came out, all of the oil came out. I stopped immediately and waited for the tow truck. The mechanic tells me that half of the block has to be replaced and also the core. He tells me that heads are still usable.
My question to this forum is, has anybody heard of breaking an engine when shifting from 1st to 2nd at 10 mph? That does not make any sense to me. I don't understand how all the motor oil came out of the engine. Nobody can explain it to me.
Now I have to make a choice, getting a new motor or rebuilding the motor. Both choices are ~6k and I don't know if we want to spend that kind of money. Can anybody help me? As you can tell I don't know much about motors, but I really care about this 4runner.

Thanks in advance,

Maria

 

[willey_coyote]

Actually one question we forgot to ask was, do you have the 4 Cyl or the 6 Cyl engine?

The 5VZ is the V6(6cyl) that was used in the 4Runners, Tacoma's and T100 for the same time frame. I believe the 4 cyl engine is the 3RZ.

I have a V6 engine (6cyl). Very low mileage, great times! I don't want to get rid of the truck, not even if my husband wants a 5th generation. I LOVE THE 3rd generation of 4runners.

 

[Nelsonmd]

You should be able to find an engine for that same 1500-2000 range. An honest hard-working shop should be able to pull your old engine and install the new one for about $1000. Total = $3000 max

Yeah, call around to a couple shops, don't restrict yourself to Toyota specific shops (unless they say domestic only). They can also find a used engine for you, though it will probably cost more than an ebay one, though it might be guaranteed if you buy through them.

It wasn't a toyota, but I had a shop find me a V6 for a 2004 pontiac that was low mileage and only $2100. Didn't end up needing it as they fixed my old one, but it only took them a few hours and they had several options for me to pick from. Don't give up on it yet!

 

[rjaudi]

Yeah sounds like you definitely threw a rod. I have heard of this before, but definitely not often. You could try car-part.com for an engine. I would try to find a low mileage used one.