So I bought a used motor

Akulla72

Akulla72

New member
Recently bought my 4runner, only to discover that previous owner hadn't changed the oil in so long it clogged up in the heads like dirt. The mechanics told me flushing out the motor was no guarantee that they could get out all the chunks, and basicly the motor was toast.

So I bought a motor from JDM Midwest, advertised at 45k miles, had it shipped, and my shop started the installation process, I guess its been somewhat of a ordeal for them, since the motor was from overseas or something, so the whole intake system had to be transplanted over from different emmisons system, and the oil filter was in another location.

Well they finally got it all tucked in today and started up and the motor has a loud rapid tapping noise coming from somewhere, I listened to it run briefly before they shut it down.

JDM will replace the motor, its covered under a 60 day start up warranty, but I have to pay for shipping, and then of course pay for another install.

Wondering if just having them try to fix whatever the problem is, is better than trying to get another motor and starting all over again from scratch and paying another install fee ( that I cant really afford btw )atm where I stand is at a $1600 bill right now for the current installation.

Thoughts?

Oh and I think I have a name for my 4runner, its going to be Fred, or Red Foxx, in honor of of the tv show Sanford and Son, since they owned a junkyard, and that's where the mechanic said my 4runner should go.
 
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If it is a genuine 45K mile JDM motor, it should be as good as a brand new motor.
Did the installers put the right motor oil in it? If you open up the motor, then remember they will not honor the warranty.
Can it be from the T-belt?
 
They didn't want to start pulling it apart again until I spoke with JDM, and I did, I'm just reluctant to send it back and pay for another install, I'll ask about the timing belt tomorrow, I have to stop by there on my way to school and tell them what course of action I've decided on.

But the noise it was making was a rapid loud tapping sound, but it was so loud I personally couldn't tell where it was coming from and I'm not a mechanic.
 
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Sounds like a bad rod bearing. This is why you let the shop order the motor. If it's bad you don't have to pay shipping & second install. It's between the shop & the engine seller.
 
You're stuck with the shipping bill or having your shop do the tear down. I just bought a rebuilt 3vze from Denny's Auto and Machine in Md - the devil is in the details. Those jdms are netorious for fraud milage also water damage... I was going to get a jdm until I read the horror stories of swamped vehicles being parted out to the states after the good ol' tsunami. And the Japanese are like all other car owners.... some take care of their runners and others trash the heck out of them.

Imo - jdm motors are like old wives tales.

Man, terrible situation to be in. ): Honestly see if you can get a refund - minus the fact you will have to eat the return shipping. I will report back on dennys auto Machine- they do 5vze as well. Arp studs and mls gaskets but who knows until we crank it! Looked brand new like it came from the factory- they have 100% feedback on ebay. It went to the shop friday the 7th.:whip2:


You also have to remember, they can send you another motor... I mean grenade and there is no guarantee that it won't have the same problem as the one you put in. Those jdmer sites do not rebuild and I bet you they do not pull the covers and check the motor out.

Every review I have seen on yt, t4r, and Ih8 - pandoras box is the common theme
 
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Damn that sucks !! Don't forget to replace all fuel injectors. Jdm fuel injectors are all different then usdm. Any check engine codes ?
 
kolelt said:
Damn that sucks !! Don't forget to replace all fuel injectors. Jdm fuel injectors are all different then usdm. Any check engine codes ?
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We didn't get too far to check engine codes, as soon as it was discovered that something was wrong we shut it down to avoid any damage, it has my old intake and wiring harness.

Tomorrow before school I'll swing by there and have them start tearing into the motor to hunt down whats wrong, I cant afford another engine swap so I hope to fix what I have and hope for the best, in for a penny in for a pound so they say.

I hope this 4runner is worth it, this is my first Toyota, if it dosent work out its likely to be my last, but I hope not I like what I see on these forums.
 
I would suspect the motor has been sitting for a while and just needs the oil pressure built up in it the valve train could be a little dry and just needs to get the oil pressure up a bite.
 

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How long did you run the JDM engine? Like SilverRidge runner said, you need to let it run for few seconds to get the oil to the top.
 
They called me once it was in and started up, I don't live to far from the shop, walked in while it was running, mechanic let me hear it run for a bit then we shut it down, seem to be doing ok except for the loud clicking noise it was making, it was close to 5pm and time for them to shut down, they said they wanted me to hear it, and wanted me to think about what I wanted to do and call JDM to review my options.

So my guess it was running between 5-10 minutes, rough guess. I'll talk to them tomorrow and let you guys know how this pans out.

I really don't want to give up on it, and it seems anyways I'm past the point of no return and might as well see this through, at least in the end I should have pretty much a rebuilt motor on my hands.
 
As I've said in the past when the JDM engine subject came up, they are a crap shoot. You might get one that was well cared for, or an engine that was completely neglected, and then flooded by a Tsunami..

Back when I installed JDM engines for customers that wanted to go that route, the importers liked to claim the engines had 30K miles.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you go for yet another JDM engine, I'd at least pull the valve covers and oil pan, for a cursory inspection, before installing another mystery motor.
 
Well I finally got pissed and told them to stop working on it, wasn't mad at them mind you, just the situation, these guys have always done fine work and in that regard I have no complaints, just didn't want them doing anything else and taking me more in debt.

Didn't want to send the motor back even though I paid for it and am entitled to a replacement motor, didn't want to run the risk of getting another junk one, so I asked them to load up my other motor in the back and I would just bring it home until I decided what to do with it.

They call me to say that its ready so I walk my happy (unhappy) ass down there, grab the keys, start it up, its clacking away to hell, I pull out on the road, give it some gas and about a block down the road it stops knocking, mind you its still running like a turd, it has an exhaust leak and lacks power, but its NOT knocking anymore.

So at this point I'm stumped, I'll let it cool down until its cold again and then fire it up and see if it knocks, or perhaps whatever was knocking I just blew it to the bottom of the pan lol.

Thoughts?
 
azcat90 said:
Is crank pulley at 0 with Cams at TDC?
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To be honest I couldn't tell you, I assume they knew what they were doing when they dropped it in, unless they put it in and didn't check, I'm not a mechanic ( guess I better start learning) so I dont even know if I can check this myself.
 
What about the old engine?

What happened to the one you pulled out - the 240k with the buildup?

It might not be worth much as is, but someone might want to take it in as a rebuild project. The shop mechanics don't want to because it's not fun for them - it's work. A weekend mechanic might enjoy it.

Just a thought.
 
TJM said:
What happened to the one you pulled out - the 240k with the buildup?

It might not be worth much as is, but someone might want to take it in as a rebuild project. The shop mechanics don't want to because it's not fun for them - it's work. A weekend mechanic might enjoy it.

Just a thought.
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It currently resides in the back hatch of my 4runner, didn't want to get rid of anything because I wasn't sure what parts I might need.

Is it possible that I had a stuck lifter or valve and with me driving it the short distance the oil pressure built up and knocked it loose?
 
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