Hey, guys,
New to forum, wonder if any have had similar problem. Have an 8-yr old SR5, few major repairs to date (clutch, ~15K ago), body in good condition. Original owner. Mostly commute, but some beach driving for surf fishing (better than working any day!).
I smelled a strong gas odor recently, and went to my (usually straight-shooting) independent mechanic, who said 2 injectors were leaking. As the injectors apparently use O-rings rather than a threaded mechanical connection, and the engine has 219K on it, he presented three options:
(1) trade in, for little value, on some new vehicle;
(2) replace all 6 injectors for ~$1.8K, but noted that because of the engine's age they might start leaking, and the engine may develop other problems (and he really didn't recommend this option, characterizing it as a waste of money); or
(3) drop in another engine (he found one with relatively low mileage from a rear-ended vehicle, relatively low mileage) for a little under $5K (and a 1-yr warranty from the seller!), saying I'd probably be able to sell the vehicle for something like the cost of repair in 2-3 years.
I don't really feel like driving a bomb to work, especially dropping the kids off at school mornings. I also really don't want to sell the truck, now or in 3 years - the newer T4R's are not as good in mileage (when not leaking gas =
); the FJ is smaller and may end up with a similar problem at 200K; and I don't really want to go with a Ford, as my Japanese-bashing in-laws keep pushing. (not that the last point is really relevant)
We usually drive our vehicles into the ground rather than sell them. Is this T4R now officially in the ground? I can't really see spending $5K for a used engine, but have never before had a vehicle where the mechanicals gave out before the body was a rustbucket.
I'd appreciate a reality check on this one, folks.
New to forum, wonder if any have had similar problem. Have an 8-yr old SR5, few major repairs to date (clutch, ~15K ago), body in good condition. Original owner. Mostly commute, but some beach driving for surf fishing (better than working any day!).
I smelled a strong gas odor recently, and went to my (usually straight-shooting) independent mechanic, who said 2 injectors were leaking. As the injectors apparently use O-rings rather than a threaded mechanical connection, and the engine has 219K on it, he presented three options:
(1) trade in, for little value, on some new vehicle;
(2) replace all 6 injectors for ~$1.8K, but noted that because of the engine's age they might start leaking, and the engine may develop other problems (and he really didn't recommend this option, characterizing it as a waste of money); or
(3) drop in another engine (he found one with relatively low mileage from a rear-ended vehicle, relatively low mileage) for a little under $5K (and a 1-yr warranty from the seller!), saying I'd probably be able to sell the vehicle for something like the cost of repair in 2-3 years.
I don't really feel like driving a bomb to work, especially dropping the kids off at school mornings. I also really don't want to sell the truck, now or in 3 years - the newer T4R's are not as good in mileage (when not leaking gas =
); the FJ is smaller and may end up with a similar problem at 200K; and I don't really want to go with a Ford, as my Japanese-bashing in-laws keep pushing. (not that the last point is really relevant)We usually drive our vehicles into the ground rather than sell them. Is this T4R now officially in the ground? I can't really see spending $5K for a used engine, but have never before had a vehicle where the mechanicals gave out before the body was a rustbucket.
I'd appreciate a reality check on this one, folks.
