need your help: value of 2000 model with bad motor

[sandman900ss]

Hello:
First off, yes, I'm a total noob, but please have mercy! As I explained in the introductions, I'm seeking advice on a close family member's 2000 4Runner- and this is definitely the place. I'd be grateful if you guys could help us place a ballpark value on his dead Toy. It's a sad but not unheard of situation- the water pump bearing failed and took out the cam belt, ruining the engine. :cry2:
We're trying to first get a handle on the value, and hope to find a Chicago area 4Runner fan who needs this a parts vehicle, or would install a used motor and then have a usable 4Runner. There's certainly lots of good parts at the least.

Particulars: 2000 Limited V6, leather, sunroof. 198K miles, new transmission from Toyota dealer last year. Interior dirty, but exterior surprisingly good- no rust or dents! Bought from Carmax, so known previous history as accident free. Stuck full time in 4wd, unfortunately, so that's a known negative.

In searching here and elsewhere for comparables, I've seen 200K mile nice model year 2000/2001 ones go for $5K-8K. You guys know more about these babies and pricing than anybody on the net- in your opinion what ballpark value do you think this one has with it's damaged motor? Thank you for taking a minute to give me your opinion!

 

[notrayray]

Well, let me tell that unless it was misdiagnosed, your engine is fine and only needs a waterpump and a new timing belt.

The 3.4L engine is a non interference engine.

Also, I will buy it for mad cheap.

 

[rjaudi]

Yeah cam belt failing is not going to destroy the engine. It wont run, but won't need to be replaced. What do you mean its stuck in 4wd. Are you driving it in 4wd high with the center diff locked? I ask becuase the 99 limiteds have the multi mode which allows you to drive in 4wd as long as you didnt engage the center diff lock.

 

[sandman900ss]

Whoa! The shop that has it told us that it is an interference engine and that the broken belt causes the valves to hit the pistons, you know, the usual story with that scenario. Wow, going to have to look into this further!
Thanks for the information so far, guys.

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

Ya I would take it somewhere else. At most a new timing belt and water pump with labor is about $900. Don't let this 4runner be turned into a parts truck, get it fixed and enjoy it for another 90k miles till it is time to change the timing belt again. Good luck man and keep us updated

 

[Nelsonmd]

Ya I would take it somewhere else. At most a new timing belt and water pump with labor is about $900. Don't let this 4runner be turned into a parts truck, get it fixed and enjoy it for another 90k miles till it is time to change the timing belt again. Good luck man and keep us updated

Uh, yeah. I would say step one is tow it away from the garage...

Anyone here know of a mechanic in Chicago that actually knows about 4runners?

 

[piperoo]

Those engines are definitely non-interference based on what I have read previously. Sounds like that shop is trying to get an 'engine job' out of a belt job.

 

[Hepar]

Man. On one side it's great that there is a resource like this to get some correct information. Hopefully your engine is fine! Would be a great early Christmas present.

On the other, it sucks that there are d-bags out there trying to take advantage of people. If that's the case.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Man, tell your relatives they need to find another shop.

Any shop that would misdiagnose something as simple as knowing whether a given motor is an interference or non-interference motor is not worth a bag of horse manure.

Also, the stuck in 4WD full time thing will probably be a relatively easy fix. Your relative should find a shop that knows what they are doing to diagnose that.

And lastly, your relative should get it detailed. A 4Runner deserves a clean interior and some TLC now and then.

 

[sandman900ss]

Blitzkrieg-
I agree with all of your comments. Uncle says he has a relationship with the shop that has the car and trusts them, and is going to go ahead and get it fixed there and keep it. Not what I would have done, but it's not my 4Runner. I explained how critical cam belt replacement is on high mileage Japanese motors as well, and how water pumps should be done at the same time. I'll post an update when ready, with costs and parts replaced...

Great advice and help here!

 

[brian2sun]

Blitzkrieg-
I agree with all of your comments. Uncle says he has a relationship with the shop that has the car and trusts them, and is going to go ahead and get it fixed there and keep it. Not what I would have done, but it's not my 4Runner. I explained how critical cam belt replacement is on high mileage Japanese motors as well, and how water pumps should be done at the same time. I'll post an update when ready, with costs and parts replaced...

Great advice and help here!

Your Uncle is getting dooped and it sounds like he doesn't care. And it's a timing belt.