Welp, I blew up my engine

[he's gone]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I was debating a 4th gen that was only 6500 bucks with 220K on craigslist, but it is gone this morning, of course. After selling my 1st gen and the remorse that set in afterwards, I would like to keep my 3rd forever. Other than a 4 door Taco, i'm not sure what would fit my lifestyle.

I am kinda curious on the dealer assessment. With what parts that are involved I say replace the hoses and radiator and lets see what happens. Unless u actually know the tech did a cylinder leak down test and isn't actually just saying its on cylinder 3 what do have to loose. I mean u tell the dealer what happened and they guessed it was x y z and never actually did the diagnose just to get few tenths on the ticket etc. I say let do some exploring.

seems like they did a full test, that was my understanding when I dropped it off. But when he called the guy was being vague and just wanting to get on with selling me an engine swap. I will definitely get the details printed out when I go by sometime today.

I used a JDM importer when I did an engine swap for my first Honda. Engine is completely fine, no issues, was the complete long block and everything.

I even did it with no prior experience in the art. Prior knowledge consisted of suspension work and regular maintenance items (oil, brakes, head gasket replacement, etc.). So it's definitely a consideration if it's not your daily and you have a weekend w/ some tools.

you in Orange County NC? When can you come by and get started? :drum:

 

[catrains]

250K miles and your gonna spend / waste money on this vehicle ?

your not thinking correctly too much booze ..

get another truck . also when you have leaks you best do the fix quickly or it will happen again ... you mentioned not all that good on mechanic work well not good to own high mile old vehicles as the repair costs are gonna be a big money problem.

 

[dogtail]

250K miles and your gonna spend / waste money on this vehicle ?

your not thinking correctly too much booze ..

get another truck . also when you have leaks you best do the fix quickly or it will happen again ... you mentioned not all that good on mechanic work well not good to own high mile old vehicles as the repair costs are gonna be a big money problem.

250K is not that high mileage for a 3rd gen. Some on this forum have over 500K on theirs. I have 323K on my Massachusetts driven rig. This is the 3rd one I've owned.

 

[he's gone]

250K miles and your gonna spend / waste money on this vehicle ?

your not thinking correctly too much booze ..

get another truck . also when you have leaks you best do the fix quickly or it will happen again ... you mentioned not all that good on mechanic work well not good to own high mile old vehicles as the repair costs are gonna be a big money problem.

very helpful.

also, it's "you're"

 

[dogtail]

I replaced my rigs former owner abused engine (they ran it 5 quarts low on oil, no kidding) with a donor from a 2000 low mileage rig. I saw it running and verified digital odometer mileage before it was pulled by a private seller. 112K for $1,200, found some willing champ to install it for me for under $500 cause my time is worth more than that. An original untouched motor is the way to go in my opinion. I have 266K on my swapped motor now, has run very good, no issues.

 

[he's gone]

wow, when was that done?

112K is practically new, guessing body damage or dropped transmission?


I'm also considering just picking up another whole 3rd gen, lol. How does the AT hold up after 200k miles?

 

[thegipper]

Have you tried looking on car-part.com? It will show you all of the yards in your area and what inventory they have.

I personally would go the used engine route. If you can find one with a warranty, even better. Then find a good independent shop to install it. You should be able to get a used engine swapped in at an independent shop for $2500ish if you are not willing to do the work yourself.

I had to swap engines on my 97. Don't let anyone fool you and say "its not hard", it is. I am not just an oil change/spark plug mechanic either. It is labor intensive, you will run into problems (like what happens with every repair) and you will need more than just a socket set and some wrenches. I thought swapping tranny's was pretty difficult until I had to swap engines.....

Having said that, it is 100% doable with the right tools, knowledge and patience.

I have mixed feelings about JDM engines based on what I've read (no personal experience with them). Seems like half the people have zero issues and the other half it ends up being a total nightmare. If you go the JDM route, definitely personally inspect it before you buy it (remove valve cover and see if its sludged up or not, check for damage etc).

The AT tranny in these trucks are about as good as you will find in any vehicle. Many people on here have the original tranny with over 400k miles on it. Like anything, maintenance is key.

 

[dogtail]

wow, when was that done?

112K is practically new, guessing body damage or dropped transmission?


I'm also considering just picking up another whole 3rd gen, lol. How does the AT hold up after 200k miles?

I live in the salt belt, plenty of rotted out carcasses to pull from. I'd say thats the only advantage of living in salt country, we get a lot of donors up here from people that don't coat their undercarriage and let them rot out. I have a 5 speed, and the syncro was getting crunchy so at 307K I found a low mileage trans with 125K for $250 and had it rebuilt (really didn't need to), but I'm OCD. I also have a parts rig at my house with about 230K on the motor, runs good, just rotted out, not sure what to do with the motor, shame to just chuck it, potentially they can go 500K. Good luck on the hunt and on getting that thing back rolling again.

 

[thegipper]

Thread needs some pix [emoji3]

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[he's gone]

Found a cheap 2005 4th gen with a V8, but 200K.

I was never a huge fan of this body style, ground clearance in the front looks pretty terrible.

better times ... out:

 

[Scramble]

That $3700 price from the dealership sounds cheap for a Toyota Dealer. Might want to jump on that instead of spending 7K on a 4th gen.

 

[he's gone]

decided I had to stick with my girl.

the 1000 dollar engine is from a taco and has 155k, seems like a good deal.

Installation is going to be around 1500 bucks. 2500 bucks for taking 100K off my engine seems like a deal.

Guy is semi-retired old school tech. Getting her up and going again is great, but so is finding a new local mechanic I can trust ... even if I have to chat for half an hour each time I talk to him, lol. We both have twin boys, even if his are almost my age and mine are still in waiting for puberty to hit.

I'm stoked. Thanks again for all the help, y'all.

 

[Shizzaw]

Found a cheap 2005 4th gen with a V8, but 200K.

I was never a huge fan of this body style, ground clearance in the front looks pretty terrible.

better times ... out:

Is your roof rack made from fence?!??!

 

[Ricktuk]

I know it is a done deal but did you were going to pull the engine anyway did you pull the heads and do a visual inspection before trashing the engine. not difficult. My 15 year old daughter tore hers down to valve cover gaskets in about 1.5 hours. Hate to think someone replaced an engine for what may have been just a head gasket. or even a warped head.

 

[he's gone]

Is your roof rack made from fence?!??!

yup. lol.

the long bars are bolted onto the rack with stainless bolts right into the same thing the factory cross bars bolt into. Those are deck rail boards, maybe 1.25 square?

then the top is fence planks. Whole thing cost 12 bucks. I work as a photographer and often need a higher platform to stand on and plant my tripod. I had planned to buy aluminum and some other kind of decking, but it works so good i haven't made it a priority.

I know it is a done deal but did you were going to pull the engine anyway did you pull the heads and do a visual inspection before trashing the engine. not difficult. My 15 year old daughter tore hers down to valve cover gaskets in about 1.5 hours. Hate to think someone replaced an engine for what may have been just a head gasket. or even a warped head.

dealership put a video scope down in a spark plug hole.

got out of it for a grand total of $2150. The mechanic took pity on me. I think i mentioned earlier that we both have twin boys, showing up with them in tow maybe gave me a the sympathy vote.

 

[sjca4Runner]

Going through this same conundrum, or similar. Had a random misfire code. No specific cylinder. Ran rough. Check engine light came on. Changed coil packs. Checked plugs and wires. New fuel filter. Still had a little misfire once it warmed up and was started. Checked oil and it looked terrible. Orange ish color, some foam.

No foam on oil cap. Coolant still clear and red. Took it to a Toyota guy who said head gasket. Guy I bought it from a few years ago had the head gasket done at the dealership previously. This mechanic wonders why it happened again. Possible cracked head?

Turns out rear main seal is also leaking. Needs to water pump too. Shop recommended the used motor route. However I’m being quoted 6500 either way. For repair or for swap. Including the motor/parts and labor.

Im weary of sinking that money into my 4runner. I love the hell out of it and also just got it regeared and resealed. Front and back. Nice wheels and tires (33s on 17s) and I have a suspension waiting for be put on. That was next until this popped up.

Based on your experience what do you recommend? I’m open to all options. Even sadly selling to upgrade if I can. But I love my 3rd gen.

Lots of solid advice on this thread though! Just curious how it’s going I guess haha.

 

[Devbot]

Going through this same conundrum, or similar. Had a random misfire code. No specific cylinder. Ran rough. Check engine light came on. Changed coil packs. Checked plugs and wires. New fuel filter. Still had a little misfire once it warmed up and was started. Checked oil and it looked terrible. Orange ish color, some foam.

No foam on oil cap. Coolant still clear and red. Took it to a Toyota guy who said head gasket. Guy I bought it from a few years ago had the head gasket done at the dealership previously. This mechanic wonders why it happened again. Possible cracked head?

Turns out rear main seal is also leaking. Needs to water pump too. Shop recommended the used motor route. However I’m being quoted 6500 either way. For repair or for swap. Including the motor/parts and labor.

Im weary of sinking that money into my 4runner. I love the hell out of it and also just got it regeared and resealed. Front and back. Nice wheels and tires (33s on 17s) and I have a suspension waiting for be put on. That was next until this popped up.

Based on your experience what do you recommend? I’m open to all options. Even sadly selling to upgrade if I can. But I love my 3rd gen.

Lots of solid advice on this thread though! Just curious how it’s going I guess haha.

Stop paying someone $100-200/hour to do it and the bill magically becomes a fraction of what it was. For that price you could almost get TWO rebuilt 5VZ's from Yota1, which is already splurging, and have them pop right into your vehicle. Replacing the motor isn't hard, just tedious, which is where 75% of that cost is coming from.
Or alternatively, just drop the trans and replace the seal. Not the end of the world. But I would get the heads checked out first so you're not outright pissing money down the drain.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Going through this same conundrum, or similar. Had a random misfire code. No specific cylinder. Ran rough. Check engine light came on. Changed coil packs. Checked plugs and wires. New fuel filter. Still had a little misfire once it warmed up and was started. Checked oil and it looked terrible. Orange ish color, some foam.

No foam on oil cap. Coolant still clear and red. Took it to a Toyota guy who said head gasket. Guy I bought it from a few years ago had the head gasket done at the dealership previously. This mechanic wonders why it happened again. Possible cracked head?

Turns out rear main seal is also leaking. Needs to water pump too. Shop recommended the used motor route. However I’m being quoted 6500 either way. For repair or for swap. Including the motor/parts and labor.

Im weary of sinking that money into my 4runner. I love the hell out of it and also just got it regeared and resealed. Front and back. Nice wheels and tires (33s on 17s) and I have a suspension waiting for be put on. That was next until this popped up.

Based on your experience what do you recommend? I’m open to all options. Even sadly selling to upgrade if I can. But I love my 3rd gen.

Lots of solid advice on this thread though! Just curious how it’s going I guess haha.

$6500 is a chunk of change for sure. Seems a bit on the expensive side but I do realize that parts are a little scarce right now due to supply chain issues. I'm also in CA and I swapped my engine with a low mileage JDM for $1900 in my 2-car garage. The engine cost $1300, I bought it from Venus Imports here in the Sacramento area: Welcome to Venus Imports | JDM Engines & Parts at the BEST prices. They were very honest but they sell out very fast, I literally had to come the day they were unloading the container from Japan. If you decide to contact them, call them up around once per week to see if their shipment contains any 5VZ's and jump on it. Once I got the engine it took me about 2 months to complete the swap as it was over the holidays and I had two little girls to bake cookies with and watch Christmas shows.

My build thread has my thoughts and tips about my experience and what needs to be removed to get a JDM engine to work in a USDM 4Runner. I do realize that because of space or time restraints doing it yourself may not be possible for everyone. Personally, I would not spend $6500 on a new engine, I would let the vehicle go.