Part or Fix Her?

V

Volley

New member
Hey all,

Well this week was the worse week ever for my 4Runner. Long story short, she broke down on my way home this week, towed it to the shop and got the dreaded news that the crankshaft is locked up, antifreeze in the oil, engine kaput... She only had 185k miles on her and was babied so needless I was surprised. But anyway I had planned to keep this truck damn near forever but am now in a quandary... as this repair would be a substantial investment. Do I fix her or part her out. What would you do?

FYI - my mechanic has given me a couple of options (a used engine he found w/ 98k on it or a Jasper). Both are a pretty good chunk of change...

Very disappointed
Volley
 
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If the rest of the truck is good and all it needs is a engine, just drop in a new engine and your good to go. No since in parting out a good vehicle just because of premature engine failure. A engine swap if done on your own is the cost of the engine. And the work is a lot, but not hard and can be done within a weekend not rushing it. And a new engine is cheaper then a new vehicle.
 
With all the stuff you got into her already, just do the swap.
You'll spend a fortune more getting a new truck and then adding all the goodies back on.

And if you part it out, you'll be left with a hunk of rusting shell on your property somewhere until it all gets raped by low-ballers... :behindsofa:
 
Was it a headgasket issue? How did the coolant mix with the oil?

I'd say get the engine with 98k, but if you are making the $$$, then maybe another FJ is in your future.
 
Two suggestions.

1st - If this is not a trusted, long time proven mechanic, then find one from someone else and get a 2nd opinion. I can count on both hands the number of time myslef or a friend of family member had a mechanic try to con us into a new engine (including the toyota dealership), then later founf out it was something way less. So if this isn't the long time guy, go get a 2nd look.

2nd - If it is an engine, literally anyone can do an engine sawp. You are not getting into the engine, or doing anything technical. If you can undo bolts, remember where they go (or label them), and put them back in, it's only time. I have done a few engine swaps on a few different cars and it has always been a great way to fix a problem without having the technical know how.

As far as the replacement engine goes, new Vs. junk yard Vs. engine from Japan is a whole different debate entirely. It all boils down to what you can afford in my eyes.
 
Thinks maybe a head gasket. Said its acting hydro locked. Crankshaft just kicks back and with the mixed oil didn't want to spend too much extra money digging into the cause of the inevitable... Strange that it never overheated, never threw a code, Ultra Gauge read normal.

I wish I could afford another FJ but its not in the budget right now. Will probably get her fixed up and expect to get at least another 185k miles from her.
 
How would coolant get into the oil? Would a head gasket cause that?

I'm fairly mechanical in that I can turn a wrench and follow directions but don't know if I trust myself to swap an engine...
 
Volley said:
How would coolant get into the oil? Would a head gasket cause that?

I'm fairly mechanical in that I can turn a wrench and follow directions but don't know if I trust myself to swap an engine...
Click to expand...

It is seriously not difficult. If you are organized, and can keep hardware seperated so it doesn't get mixed up, that is the hardest part! Taking off belts, unplugging lines, even bolting the engine to the transmission; none of these require any special skills. If you have patients, and don't rush, you can totally handle it!

I just swapped the engine out in my 95 civic (my DD), did a clutch and timing belt... did it in one 8 hour day on a saturday, by myself. I am a fabricator, not a mechanic. But I have basic mechanical skills, and I make it work. Plus anything you get confused abotu I am sure you can find on here, or youtube!!! haha
 
Volley said:
How would coolant get into the oil? Would a head gasket cause that?

I'm fairly mechanical in that I can turn a wrench and follow directions but don't know if I trust myself to swap an engine...
Click to expand...

The coolant could seep from the cooling jacket across the failed head gasket (since it's not sealing) into the internals of the engine where the oil is.

If you can turn a wrench and follow instructions you're good, and probably will get yourself into less trouble than some of us that improvise and fake our way through fixes :rofl:

And maybe someone local can help you. If it was me I would pull the engine, tear it apart myself and see what is wrong. Has the mechanic actually torn into the engine and knows why/how the crank isn't turning over? There might be a simple fix, and if you're doing it yourself it won't cost anything and if it's too bad to just fix the engine then buy a new one and it won't be costing you anymore than doing a swap to begin with.
 
I'm not hip on jasper engines. Just had a old Tacoma with a 22re jasper motor we put in 3 years ago that just wore out the lobes on the cams.

I would get the used engine with 98k. Of course do the maitinance on it while it's out to make it easier.
 
Then I would get the engine with 98k on it. As Shootmymine postulated, go ahead and put on a new TB, water pump, idlers, tensioner, hoses to and from the oil cooler as well as the two gaskets for the oil cooler. Valve cover gaskets and the works. At this point in time think hard about resealing the oil pan as well as replacing the rear mail seal and take a good look at the freeze plugs.

Good luck.
 
Thx leaning toward fixing her. I was leaning toward the Jasper only because of the warranty...mine failing IMO too soon has me leary of the used one I guess. The one with 98k would get all new gaskets, seals, water pump, timing belt etc. etc.
 
I feel like this is becoming very popular with these trucks...Mine is at 171,000. More posts like this make me want to trade her in.
 
Swapped my 1st engine having never worked on a vehicle before. Bought the manual and went at it. If you have space, do the swap yourself.

My brother bought a Jasper and it wasn't as expected. Might have been a fluke but had to pull it, return it, etc. Check it out before you install it.
 
Jasper is the same as any other rebuilder. They use the cheapest of the cheap materials to rebuild the engines. Cheapo China parts. The engines run just long enough to get them out of the warranty period, then they break down.

The used engine with 98k is your best solution. Have your mechanic toss some new maintenance parts in there (timing belt, water pump, valve cover gaskets, etc etc) from TOYOTA, and you will have an engine good for another 100k easy. Don't see them fail at 185K very often, but never know what a previous owner has done to the truck so don't be too down on it. I see them go 300k+ all the time. There are lots of factors that affect an engines life span.
 
4Runner4TW said:
I feel like this is becoming very popular with these trucks...Mine is at 171,000. More posts like this make me want to trade her in.
Click to expand...
I have been around these 5vz's for like 5 years in 3 different vehicles. Two Tacoma's and my T4R. Never had any issues with any of them and they were not driven easy.. Nor have a heard of enough failures to be worried at all. These engine have been around for a long time with plenty of these engines being driven past 300k miles on the regular. I see no issue with these engines at all.

Every single engine ever made that is sold in a large quanity will not be flawless. There will always be those "select few" a common problem with a large ratio is something to be worried about. I don't see this as a common problem. Drive it, maintain it and keep a eye on everything. Majority of the time you should be okay. Many problems are due to neglect of something or just not caught early enough before a failure. I have almost 209k miles and I wouldn't hesitate to drive my T4R across the country!

Just my opinion.
 
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I have about 290k on mine and still going strong. Towed my Bass boat 600 miles one way thru mountains and back with no problems at all. Keep up on the maintenance and it will last you a long time. My brother has 485k on his Tacoma with the same engine as the Runners and his still runs smooth. I would buy the used engine and swap it out.
 
Hi all,

I've decided to go with the used engine and if I can get another 100k miles out of it I figure I will have gotten my money's worth.

Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback on what all I should make sure is replaced on the new to me engine. Here's the list so far:

Timing belt, water pump, pulleys, etc.
Rear main seal
Valve cover gaskets
PVC
T- stat?

Appreciate feedback. If I'm going to pay someone to put this in I wanted to get the most out of it as I can! Thx
 
Volley said:
Hi all,

I've decided to go with the used engine and if I can get another 100k miles out of it I figure I will have gotten my money's worth.

Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback on what all I should make sure is replaced on the new to me engine. Here's the list so far:

Timing belt, water pump, pulleys, etc.
Rear main seal
Valve cover gaskets
PVC
T- stat?

Appreciate feedback. If I'm going to pay someone to put this in I wanted to get the most out of it as I can! Thx
Click to expand...

I would suggest basic tune up stuff just to get you at ground zero with everything. Things like spark plugs, wires, belts and hoses. One thing I had to do recently, was a knock sensor wire. If you have the intake off the engine, I would get the new wire from Toyota for $15 and replace that as the wire tends to break after time from the heat where it is located between the heads. Thats if you have the intake off, if not don't mess with it. +1 on rear main and the other small items you listed.
 
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