I think I mess up my 4runner :(

Basically. I'm fine with replacing my engine. I had the light ticking while idleing(sounded like a small diesel engine, so hopefully I get rid of that as well. So, what do I do with my old engine besides using it for parts? Do i sell it? Do I let it sit in my backyard for years? Do I toss it? lo

Actually, I've over the price already. I just have to come up with the money, I've accepted this. I'm kind of excited I get to learn how to swap an engine.

dealerships do not repair engines as normal routine. If your uncle has no ability call repair shops in your area that do engine work and have them check it out . I don't believe that you spun a crank bearing stuck in a mud hole. could be like I said a bent valve or possible rod. that can be a low cost fix. also quick turn around.
 
Basically. I'm fine with replacing my engine. I had the light ticking while idleing(sounded like a small diesel engine, so hopefully I get rid of that as well. So, what do I do with my old engine besides using it for parts? Do i sell it? Do I let it sit in my backyard for years? Do I toss it? lo

Actually, I've over the price already. I just have to come up with the money, I've accepted this. I'm kind of excited I get to learn how to swap an engine.

Sounds like you are learning about automobile mechanics. Keep the old engine and tear it down to see what happened. Learn all that you can. Then turn it in for a core charge. If you purchase a used engine, most places want a core, or sell it for scrap, unless you have the time, tools and money to rebuild it.
When a rod bends, slightly, the skirt of the piston bangs against it. I would guess this is the noise you are hearing not a bearing. I oil has additives to hold on to the water in it, that is why it will not separate. You can test to see if oil, any oil contains water. Do the “crackle test”. Get a hot surface (about 300), hot plate or exhaust manifold works. Place a drop of good oil on it all you should see is smoke, no noise either. Next place a drop of the suspect oil. If you see bubbles and hear a sound like bacon frying, that’s the water.
 
The crankcase of an engine is a semi-sealed sealed system. The only place for water to enter would be through the PCV to my knowledge. That oil doesn't look quite right though and a little too milky brown in color.

I'd be more inclined to say it sounds like a stuck lifter. Your intake filter would have been soaked if your engine ingested water.

20 years ago my GM car stalled out in waste deep water. Luckily, it didn't do any damage as it was running at idle and it just died. Had it towed home and removed all the spark plugs to drain the water. Seems like I also had to remove the starter as it was water logged causing an electrical short.
 
Last edited:
Just my .02 .

I'd tow it down to and engine shop or Independent Toyota Specialist first before doing a swap. Could be something far cheaper.

Either way good luck.
 
Does your oil have metal flakes in it? I cannot tell from the pics.

Im not saying this is your problem, but before you pull your engine out you should check and see if one of your pulleys is bad.

I drove my old 4runner in water and the pulley and alternator pulley went bad. made a horrible noise but was NOT the engine.

no PIECES of metal, but it does have a metallic swirl when you swirl the bottle. confirmed by 2 mechanics. they said since i was on a bit of an incline and revving my motor hard to get unstuck, all the oil was in the front of the motor and it wasnt getting oil and ran dry.
 
Sounds like you are learning about automobile mechanics. Keep the old engine and tear it down to see what happened. Learn all that you can. Then turn it in for a core charge. If you purchase a used engine, most places want a core, or sell it for scrap, unless you have the time, tools and money to rebuild it.
When a rod bends, slightly, the skirt of the piston bangs against it. I would guess this is the noise you are hearing not a bearing. I oil has additives to hold on to the water in it, that is why it will not separate. You can test to see if oil, any oil contains water. Do the “crackle test”. Get a hot surface (about 300), hot plate or exhaust manifold works. Place a drop of good oil on it all you should see is smoke, no noise either. Next place a drop of the suspect oil. If you see bubbles and hear a sound like bacon frying, that’s the water.

I am learning! From what I have gathered from Toyota(stealership, they wanted 3900 for a used motor with 120k miles on it!!) and a local shop Phillips car care, is that it's going to be a guess until they get up in there and look at it. I'm all about cheaper though. Not really in a hurry to fix it;however, I miss my truck :(
 
no PIECES of metal, but it does have a metallic swirl when you swirl the bottle. confirmed by 2 mechanics. they said since i was on a bit of an incline and revving my motor hard to get unstuck, all the oil was in the front of the motor and it wasnt getting oil and ran dry.

Seems like the most plausible way to link a spun bearing to your getting stuck in the mud.

Anybody know if oil starvation at extreme angles is a known thing with these trucks?
 
dealerships do not repair engines as normal routine. If your uncle has no ability call repair shops in your area that do engine work and have them check it out . I don't believe that you spun a crank bearing stuck in a mud hole. could be like I said a bent valve or possible rod. that can be a low cost fix. also quick turn around.

Hey man that's why I am here. I learn from the best(you guys). I don't mind towing it around and having different people look at it. My uncle is an engineer and works on tug boats down in Louisiana. He has done engine swaps before. He's been a mechanic all his life. I trust he knows how to do an engine swap lol. You say quick turn around, how hard are the valves and rods to get to so I can check them myself?
 
I really do this works out for you in the least expensive way possible. I've owned a 4Runner for 5 months and have learned a lot from this forum. This thread may well be useful to many here. If there is water in the oil how did it get in? Lines running to a cooler ripped open in the mud? Same with transmission? Will this engine continue to run with low oil pressure or does it shut down? Metal in the oil from a spun bearing? I was hoping it was something as simple as the fan splashing water up on top of the engine causing misfires via wet coils/plugs. I do hope for the best for you.
 
If you are thinking engine swap, I've read you'll want to match the original year engine EXACTLY. Apparently there are compatibility issues with interchanging different model years -- even a V6 to a V6. There was a thread where some dude swapped a ruined 05 engine with a '11 Taco V6, but I have to imagine that was hairy...

LINK

I'd advise you look on car-part.com and find a yard local to you that has the identical engine.
 
I'm a little confused as to why we've gone strait to an engine swap without even a bit more troubleshooting into whats wrong in the first place?
 
Such foolishness! I hate wheeling with nothing but 4Runners, too boring. Variety is fun and I'll take a pull from anyone willing to help.

Funny thing is you will too unless you'd rather spend a night stuck somewhere. If that's the case your "pride & manhood" may be found too late someday!

Amen. Who cares what pulled him out, thankfully she was there to do it. My wife got her car stuck in mud and I had to drive 30 minutes to get her. She did tell me that a good number of people passed by and didn't even stop to ask if she was ok or anything. She was fine but what if she wasn't? I'd rather take the kindness of someone helping regardless of what they're driving. Even if it was a 2 year old in a fisher price car.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,105
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top