New Engine from "The Engine Depot"

[scsigoer]

Hello Fellow 4Runners Owners:

I'm newbie on this message board and I'm looking to get a new engine dropped into my 1999 4runner 180k miles.

I tried the search, but i didn't see any history with this company for a new rebuilt engine.

The Engine Depot - engine-depot ($1400 with one year warranty)

Anybody used them before? I think they are out of Union city, CA.

Here's a quick story why i need a new engine.

The other day, i noticed the car had problems starting up, but i pursued on by pressing the gas to help fire up the engine. Then, while driving I noticed the temperate gauge shot up to HOT. I immediately pulled over and noticed the coolant reservoir was completely empty. so I went to the gas station and refilled the coolant and drive to a mechanic.

The quick synopsis from the mechanic is a bad head gasket. He didn't unscrew anything but based it on the symptoms. He suggested I get a new engine since repairing a head gasket will be costly.

Any advice?

 

[JayRolla]

Hello Fellow 4Runners Owners:

I'm newbie on this message board and I'm looking to get a new engine dropped into my 1999 4runner 180k miles.

I tried the search, but i didn't see any history with this company for a new rebuilt engine.

The Engine Depot - engine-depot ($1400 with one year warranty)

Anybody used them before? I think they are out of Union city, CA.

Here's a quick story why i need a new engine.

The other day, i noticed the car had problems starting up, but i pursued on by pressing the gas to help fire up the engine. Then, while driving I noticed the temperate gauge shot up to HOT. I immediately pulled over and noticed the coolant reservoir was completely empty. so I went to the gas station and refilled the coolant and drive to a mechanic.

The quick synopsis from the mechanic is a bad head gasket. He didn't unscrew anything but based it on the symptoms. He suggested I get a new engine since repairing a head gasket will be costly.

Any advice?

If your trying to save money like your mechanic is saying then Im sure he meant a donor motor. Not a new reman. I would not trust a reman over a used OEM motor from say craigslist or even the many JDM sellers on ebay. I myself would get a local motor pulled from a wrecked vehicle.

Also a head gasket can be costly but again I would rather do an OEM headgasket on that motor than a new reman. So many issues with remans. Almost every little part and seal used are not as high quality as the toyota parts and it will be a nightmare once it makes it past its warranty.

 

[scsigoer]

thanks Jay for the feedback.

Im not trying to save money. Im trying to decide whats the best path to keep this car.

 

[MrRoo]

Used motor out of a wreck is going to be 100% more reliable and trouble free than a rebuilt. These motors are just not the same after being "rebuilt". Lots of motors to choose from out there.

 

[gamefreakgc]

180k miles isn't all that much for the 5VZ-FE engine. I would get a second opinion on the head gasket since it should be cheaper than putting in a different engine. A engine doesn't even include labor to put one in (I'm assuming you're not going to do it yourself).

 

[scsigoer]

180k miles isn't all that much for the 5VZ-FE engine. I would get a second opinion on the head gasket since it should be cheaper than putting in a different engine. A engine doesn't even include labor to put one in (I'm assuming you're not going to do it yourself).

I agree. i was disappointed to hear that i needed a new motor at 180k.

Im not a mechanic and have no plans to do any of the work myself.

The mechanic was saying that if he opens up the head, then repairs will be expensive that the effort would be better off with a new engine.

 

[lofreqjeff]

If you want a new engine, try Toy Only Swaps - Page 5

they sell all kinds of Toyota engines. I am considering having them do the 3.0 to 3.4 swap in my 89 4Runner

 

[gamefreakgc]

I agree. i was disappointed to hear that i needed a new motor at 180k.

Im not a mechanic and have no plans to do any of the work myself.

The mechanic was saying that if he opens up the head, then repairs will be expensive that the effort would be better off with a new engine.

Yeah, basically what he'll need to do is remove the two cylinder heads (you normally don't change just one) and clean up the surfaces. The heads will then need to be pressure tested for cracks and re-surfaced at a machine shop if they don't have the tools in their garage. It's labor intensive. Parts will only cost ~$100 for new head gaskets and other misc. gaskets, maybe new studs but it's the labor to remove the head and check to make sure everything is in order that costs a lot.

If you don't need the vehicle on a daily basis, I highly recommend trying this one yourself. Take your time and download the FSM (it's in the stickys in the 3rd gen section) If you know anyone who's worked on cars maybe they can help. You will save some major $'s if you can.

Also a good time to replace the timing belt and water pump if it's due. They last between 100k-150k miles. The timing belt usually goes first and would be much cheaper to do when the heads are off, would not take an experience mechanic more than a few minutes to swap out.

 

[scsigoer]

Yeah, basically what he'll need to do is remove the two cylinder heads (you normally don't change just one) and clean up the surfaces. The heads will then need to be pressure tested for cracks and re-surfaced at a machine shop if they don't have the tools in their garage. It's labor intensive. Parts will only cost ~$100 for new head gaskets and other misc. gaskets, maybe new studs but it's the labor to remove the head and check to make sure everything is in order that costs a lot.

If you don't need the vehicle on a daily basis, I highly recommend trying this one yourself. Take your time and download the FSM (it's in the stickys in the 3rd gen section) If you know anyone who's worked on cars maybe they can help. You will save some major $'s if you can.

Haha..there's no way I'm doing this one. I just have no time. i don't need the car back though. it's my 2nd card that i use for transporting my bicycles.

 

[MONTYMTB]

How long have you had the truck and what is your history with it? Maintained as required? I ask because if it were me, I would be more comfortable having the engine that I know repaired as opposed to rolling the dice on a reman or used.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Haha..there's no way I'm doing this one. I just have no time. i don't need the car back though. it's my 2nd card that i use for transporting my bicycles.

No worries then. I would call a few shops that specialize in Toyotas and see if you can get some quotes over the phone. I'm sure you can find a good price for what you need done without comprimising quality. Doesn't hurt to ask what they will do to fix the head gasket either, you don't want them to just put in a new gasket without cleaning and resurfacing.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Um I think the OEM head gasket kit is more than $99

OP, did you have the mechanic perform a compression or leak down test?
Did he take the spark plugs out and identify the CYL that has coolant in it?

These two actions are easily less than 2 hours and shouldn't cost more than $100 for both.

If your mechanic did not do these things then I highly suggest you GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

 

[scsigoer]

Um I think the OEM head gasket kit is more than $99

OP, did you have the mechanic perform a compression or leak down test?
Did he take the spark plugs out and identify the CYL that has coolant in it?

These two actions are easily less than 2 hours and shouldn't cost more than $100 for both.

If your mechanic did not do these things then I highly suggest you GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Thanks for the advice! i think i have a lazy mechanic. it's the nearest one near my house that i take my cars in for oil changes.

the mechanic said based on the car's symptoms, i have coolant in my spark plugs that's why the car is having issues starting up.

 

[scsigoer]

How long have you had the truck and what is your history with it? Maintained as required? I ask because if it were me, I would be more comfortable having the engine that I know repaired as opposed to rolling the dice on a reman or used.

I'm the 2nd owner. i've owned it at 80k miles and close to 10 years now. the car has been in regular service work at the correct intervals, thats why i want to keep her.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Um I think the OEM head gasket kit is more than $99

Well that's if you're drinking to the OEM kool-aid . I've never used OEM gaskets in any of my vehicles and never had one fail (not to say they won't ever) but if you're going for tip-top premium products, yeah it'll be a lot more than about $100. Just did a quick price check and Napa's got a set of FEL-PRO (used these a ton) for $68 with all part incl. and OEM's are about $49.88 each x2 for just the gasket.. So would be a bit more once you add all the rest of the gaskets. Most repair shops aren't going to put OEM gaskets in your car though.

 

[JayRolla]

My buddy runs a engine rebuilding and trans shop. He tears the motor down for free and gives you a quote. If you dont want to build it then you get the motor back torn down to do what you want. This way if he finds the motor is toast you dont get stuck with a bill just for diagnosing. On a headgasket he would actually bolt it all back together if the customer ended up not wanting to do the work.

 

[amalik]

My buddy runs a engine rebuilding and trans shop. He tears the motor down for free and gives you a quote. If you dont want to build it then you get the motor back torn down to do what you want. This way if he finds the motor is toast you dont get stuck with a bill just for diagnosing. On a headgasket he would actually bolt it all back together if the customer ended up not wanting to do the work.

He's in CA though, we are in CO

 

[RedSled]

He's in CA though, we are in CO

Would you be comfortable posting his info. Maybe some of us Cali. folks can use his services?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Would you be comfortable posting his info. Maybe some of us Cali. folks can use his services?

The problem I see with this method is:

1) you don't normally need to tear an engine apart to find out it isn't working
2) this puts the customer in a spot where they are kind of stuck with this guy
3) he runs a rebuild shop and rebuilds cost like $4000-4500
4) There are lots of ways of diagnosing a head gasket without taking everything apart

 

[Harleydoc]

It is way cheaper just to swap the motor for a JDM then fixed blow heads unless you can do all the machine work your self. Head jobs on an over head cal motor is stupid easy... It is just like doing a water pump timing belt but your are not pulling the intake. And the head. Head gasket is at the max a 8 hours job.