94 4Runner SR5 V6: Engine Locks up..
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94 4Runner SR5 V6: Engine Locks up..
Hello all,
I had posted this earlier on forums.suvfans.com - and found
this site yotatech only today.. some of this info is a few days
old from my query on that site, but the problem with my truck
still persists.. I am in the process of trying to decide if getting
a rebuilt engine would be ok.. please read on. would appreciate
any pointers as to the best, yet cost-effective thing to do.
--
I have had my 94 4Runner (SR5 V6) for over 3 years now (am
the second owner).. Have had no major problems till now, well
till Tuesday. Have taken good care with normal maitainence,
new tires (michelin), regular oil changes etc.. so far the truck has
about 110K miles on it, 35K of which are mine in the last 3 years.
On Tuesday while driving on the freeway (in town), i noticed a
clanking sound coming from under the hood. I initially felt it was
a belt that had come apart.. but as it got louder, i got off the
freeway. The vehicle came to complete halt after a couple of
miles of coasting on the feeder road. I got it towed to my
mechanic from there...
As it turned out, il had leaked from the engine - and the
engine is locked up - and will not start.. my mechanic says that
i should replace the engine or get another vehicle... this was a
big shock because the next oil change wasn't due for another
500-700 miles. There was no major oil leak till this point of time.
However after the vehicle stalled, i noticed that quite a lot of
oil was leaking from the oil-pan onto the road.
At this point of time, I am wondering on course of action - i am
tempted to get another engine, because i love my truck and it
is an excellent condition otherwise. where should i look for
another engine - new or rebuilt, and be sure that i am not being
ripped off?
I live in Houston, and there are quite a few junk yards here
where i can pick up parts - but am not sure if that is the right
place to start looking for an engine. I have looked up on the
net and used-auto-engine.com has a rebuilt 3.0L V6 engine for
$2145 + $400 deposit. Is that a good option? And what about
labor to get the engine replaced? Who are good mechanics
that specialize in this kind of work?
Would appreciate any suggestions..
many thanks
Ravi
--
vr_rao@hotmail.com
I had posted this earlier on forums.suvfans.com - and found
this site yotatech only today.. some of this info is a few days
old from my query on that site, but the problem with my truck
still persists.. I am in the process of trying to decide if getting
a rebuilt engine would be ok.. please read on. would appreciate
any pointers as to the best, yet cost-effective thing to do.
--
I have had my 94 4Runner (SR5 V6) for over 3 years now (am
the second owner).. Have had no major problems till now, well
till Tuesday. Have taken good care with normal maitainence,
new tires (michelin), regular oil changes etc.. so far the truck has
about 110K miles on it, 35K of which are mine in the last 3 years.
On Tuesday while driving on the freeway (in town), i noticed a
clanking sound coming from under the hood. I initially felt it was
a belt that had come apart.. but as it got louder, i got off the
freeway. The vehicle came to complete halt after a couple of
miles of coasting on the feeder road. I got it towed to my
mechanic from there...
As it turned out, il had leaked from the engine - and the
engine is locked up - and will not start.. my mechanic says that
i should replace the engine or get another vehicle... this was a
big shock because the next oil change wasn't due for another
500-700 miles. There was no major oil leak till this point of time.
However after the vehicle stalled, i noticed that quite a lot of
oil was leaking from the oil-pan onto the road.
At this point of time, I am wondering on course of action - i am
tempted to get another engine, because i love my truck and it
is an excellent condition otherwise. where should i look for
another engine - new or rebuilt, and be sure that i am not being
ripped off?
I live in Houston, and there are quite a few junk yards here
where i can pick up parts - but am not sure if that is the right
place to start looking for an engine. I have looked up on the
net and used-auto-engine.com has a rebuilt 3.0L V6 engine for
$2145 + $400 deposit. Is that a good option? And what about
labor to get the engine replaced? Who are good mechanics
that specialize in this kind of work?
Would appreciate any suggestions..
many thanks
Ravi
--
vr_rao@hotmail.com
#2
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If you like your truck, get a new engine. You can get engines fairly cheap. If you really like your truck and you want more power, do a 3.4 (5VZFE) swap. I came across a 3.4L for $2000 from TAP Recycling . Though, there are other places to get engines.
Also, quick question:
Do you change your own oil, or does your mechanic?
If your mechanic changes your oil, is it possible he (or she) didn't tighten the plug? If you can prove they didn't, the company that employs the mechanic owes you a new engine. How can you prove it? I have no idea.
I've seen a lot of mechanics make mistakes. I'm sure others on the forum have to.
Two occurances come to mind.
My mother worked in the Montgomary Wards Automotive dept back office. One day I took lunch in to her and observed a bunch of "techs" gathered around a nice looking Chevy pickup. The Chevy had a really bad knocking sound (bad lifter) but one insisted on revving it up to redline several times until *CLANK* sputter sputter. GAME OVER, MAN! The owner of the truck got a near new engine becuase, technically, it ran when he brought it in.
Another occurance, a mechanic left a rag over an exposed carburetor. He started it up and *SHOOP* new carb, manifold and a few other things.
There's more, but they should go in off-topic.
Also, quick question:
Do you change your own oil, or does your mechanic?
If your mechanic changes your oil, is it possible he (or she) didn't tighten the plug? If you can prove they didn't, the company that employs the mechanic owes you a new engine. How can you prove it? I have no idea.
I've seen a lot of mechanics make mistakes. I'm sure others on the forum have to.
Two occurances come to mind.
My mother worked in the Montgomary Wards Automotive dept back office. One day I took lunch in to her and observed a bunch of "techs" gathered around a nice looking Chevy pickup. The Chevy had a really bad knocking sound (bad lifter) but one insisted on revving it up to redline several times until *CLANK* sputter sputter. GAME OVER, MAN! The owner of the truck got a near new engine becuase, technically, it ran when he brought it in.
Another occurance, a mechanic left a rag over an exposed carburetor. He started it up and *SHOOP* new carb, manifold and a few other things.
There's more, but they should go in off-topic.
#3
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Thanks for the info HaveBlue!
As for the oil change, my mechanic does it always.. even my old student car, so i do trust him. However, i don't think i remember where i got the last oil change done. Could have been at a place other than my regular mechanic.
Come to think of it, I do remember my mechanic pointing out to me that there was an oil leak somewhere in the engine, but he wasn't sure where it was coming from.. this was no a serious leak, but a very minor one, but i wasn't sure what to do with it at that time. well, i guess now i pay the price!!
As for swapping a 3.4, i wish, i wish.. but for now, will have to live with a 3.0 rebuilt since i am trying to stay within budget
I did find at least three reasonably good workshops here in Houston that seem to have been in the business for over a while, and one of them since 1947! Here is their breakdown:
Texas Motor Exchange - in houston since about 1972 :
Has rebuilt engine in stock, will pull the one in my truck and put another one in.. (3VZE ie) Offers 3year or 36K mile warranty. Take about 3-4 days.. Price - $1649 + taxes for engine and installation.. the price seems a bit low, not sure. not a BBB member, but BBB lists the business as having had just 2 complaints over last 36 months.
Empire Motor Exchange - in houston since about 1947
Will pull out the engine i have, and work on it.. not sure if that makes any difference - Offer 1 Year 12K Mile warranty. 4-5 days of work, and price is $2250 (of which $600 is for labor) + taxes.. BBB membership, and only 2 complaints over last 3 years.
Gulftech Engines Inc - in houston since 1997
Has rebuilt engines in stock.. will finish the work in 4-5 days, Offer 3year/36k mile warranty.. and charge $2295 + taxes. BBB site says that Gulftech has had 12 complaints over last 36 months and 2 in the last 1 year.. so probably not as good a choice as Empire motor or Texas Motor Exchange.
Given these, my questions are -
* Is $1649 too low a price at Texas Motor Exchange?
* Am I missing something ? (may be they didn't include labor charges)
* Has anyone dealt with them before? How was your experience?
* Or with Empire Motor Exchange?
* Would an engine from a salvage yard be better than a rebuilt one?
Many thanks folks,
have a nice weekend.
Ravi
As for the oil change, my mechanic does it always.. even my old student car, so i do trust him. However, i don't think i remember where i got the last oil change done. Could have been at a place other than my regular mechanic.
Come to think of it, I do remember my mechanic pointing out to me that there was an oil leak somewhere in the engine, but he wasn't sure where it was coming from.. this was no a serious leak, but a very minor one, but i wasn't sure what to do with it at that time. well, i guess now i pay the price!!
As for swapping a 3.4, i wish, i wish.. but for now, will have to live with a 3.0 rebuilt since i am trying to stay within budget
I did find at least three reasonably good workshops here in Houston that seem to have been in the business for over a while, and one of them since 1947! Here is their breakdown:
Texas Motor Exchange - in houston since about 1972 :
Has rebuilt engine in stock, will pull the one in my truck and put another one in.. (3VZE ie) Offers 3year or 36K mile warranty. Take about 3-4 days.. Price - $1649 + taxes for engine and installation.. the price seems a bit low, not sure. not a BBB member, but BBB lists the business as having had just 2 complaints over last 36 months.
Empire Motor Exchange - in houston since about 1947
Will pull out the engine i have, and work on it.. not sure if that makes any difference - Offer 1 Year 12K Mile warranty. 4-5 days of work, and price is $2250 (of which $600 is for labor) + taxes.. BBB membership, and only 2 complaints over last 3 years.
Gulftech Engines Inc - in houston since 1997
Has rebuilt engines in stock.. will finish the work in 4-5 days, Offer 3year/36k mile warranty.. and charge $2295 + taxes. BBB site says that Gulftech has had 12 complaints over last 36 months and 2 in the last 1 year.. so probably not as good a choice as Empire motor or Texas Motor Exchange.
Given these, my questions are -
* Is $1649 too low a price at Texas Motor Exchange?
* Am I missing something ? (may be they didn't include labor charges)
* Has anyone dealt with them before? How was your experience?
* Or with Empire Motor Exchange?
* Would an engine from a salvage yard be better than a rebuilt one?
Many thanks folks,
have a nice weekend.
Ravi
#4
Where do you live? I just got a replacement 3.0L and I got it for $3000 shipped to my door from NY! that's with aftermarket cams and a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty.
It's at http://www.importenginespecialties.com Talk to mark. It's the best deal that I've found, and they install the cams. It add's quite a kick.
It's also on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6770
It's at http://www.importenginespecialties.com Talk to mark. It's the best deal that I've found, and they install the cams. It add's quite a kick.
It's also on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6770
#6
I don't know much about getting a replacement engine but I did see that Tap was mentioned and I figured I would point you to this thread:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...&threadid=6114
If you do rebuild might want to check out getting some nice aftermarket parts from somewhere like http://www.lcengineering.com/
By the way, Welcome to the forum
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...&threadid=6114
If you do rebuild might want to check out getting some nice aftermarket parts from somewhere like http://www.lcengineering.com/
By the way, Welcome to the forum
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Here is my entirely uneducated non-mechanic inspired guess: a problem with a crank bearing led to a failure of a connecting rod and voila time for a new engine. Did you notice any damage to the oil pan?
Of course, it is pretty much a moot point now so my uninformed guesses don't mean alot. If you have some $ to throw at the problem and want more of a toy, it certainly sounds like forking out for a 3.4 conversion is the way to go. Apparently, it isn't particularly easy and is expensive, but it has a high OOOH! factor
Otherwise, go for a good remanufactured engine not just rebuilt. As I remember, there is actually a legal technicality between the two. A "rebuilt" item can simply have the whatever its previous ails were, repaired. A remanufactured engine will actually be equipped with new parts all around with the exception of the block and heads castings.
Of course, it is pretty much a moot point now so my uninformed guesses don't mean alot. If you have some $ to throw at the problem and want more of a toy, it certainly sounds like forking out for a 3.4 conversion is the way to go. Apparently, it isn't particularly easy and is expensive, but it has a high OOOH! factor
Otherwise, go for a good remanufactured engine not just rebuilt. As I remember, there is actually a legal technicality between the two. A "rebuilt" item can simply have the whatever its previous ails were, repaired. A remanufactured engine will actually be equipped with new parts all around with the exception of the block and heads castings.
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#8
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Thanks for all your replies to the thread.
The last few days being very hectic calling up the mechanics
and doing some more research on the prices.. Other than that
it was mostly boring thanks to my being stuck at home
without a vehicle that too on weekend
I decided to go with Texas Motor Exch here in Houstonys since
they did look good from their record with BBB. The price they
quoted though was not all inclusive. This was for a short block
and the work on the valves.. He towed the car yesterday from
the mechanics place and called me up today after opening up
the engine.
Fahrenheit451 - it turns out that you were right on target. The
Texas motor guys said that the oil pump could have come apart,
breaking everything else - the crank, the oil pan etc. That
is how there was a heavy oil leak. So the price to fix all of this
will come to nearly $3400. Looks like I can't avoid it the only
other option is to leave out the maintainence items, but am not
sure if it would be worth it.
I will be going this evening to Texas Motor to discuss the situation
and see where they can cut down without compromising on
quality. If you have any items I can skimp on, could you let
me know.. thanks.
This is turning out to be bigger nightmare than I thought !
Ravi
--
vr_rao@hotmail.com
The last few days being very hectic calling up the mechanics
and doing some more research on the prices.. Other than that
it was mostly boring thanks to my being stuck at home
without a vehicle that too on weekend
I decided to go with Texas Motor Exch here in Houstonys since
they did look good from their record with BBB. The price they
quoted though was not all inclusive. This was for a short block
and the work on the valves.. He towed the car yesterday from
the mechanics place and called me up today after opening up
the engine.
Fahrenheit451 - it turns out that you were right on target. The
Texas motor guys said that the oil pump could have come apart,
breaking everything else - the crank, the oil pan etc. That
is how there was a heavy oil leak. So the price to fix all of this
will come to nearly $3400. Looks like I can't avoid it the only
other option is to leave out the maintainence items, but am not
sure if it would be worth it.
I will be going this evening to Texas Motor to discuss the situation
and see where they can cut down without compromising on
quality. If you have any items I can skimp on, could you let
me know.. thanks.
This is turning out to be bigger nightmare than I thought !
Ravi
--
vr_rao@hotmail.com
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Good luck with it.
That's a hard bullet to bite but just think about how nice it'll be not having to worry about your motor when you're taking your next road trip.
Warren
That's a hard bullet to bite but just think about how nice it'll be not having to worry about your motor when you're taking your next road trip.
Warren
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