Not what I want to do... but I just got a bill from my mechanic saying that it's going to cost $4k to get it running again and take a week to fix. I don't know much about engines, but I trust my mechanic because he's one of my good friends.

On Tuesday, my engine light went on. I was on the freeway and nothing felt like it was "off". When I got off the freeway, I started to feel the car "sputter" at low speeds. From a stop, it jumps and sputters even more. So, I dropped it off at the shop on Thursday and said hook it up and tell me what's wrong... it feels alot like a misfire from a bad plug or something. Just from the sound, my mechanic agreed. However, he'd hook it up and find something else wrong with it. I don't remember what it is, but something like the exhaust valve is dead and he needs to removing alot of my engine down to the block to fix it. Also, since I have over 140K on it, he said alot of belts, hoses, gaskets, etc should also be changed while it's apart so he won't have to charge me the labor again in 6 months when a problem could arise. So, the total is coming out to roughly $4000. Needless to say, I don't have $4K in my pocket to dish out right now.

So, I think I might drop my truck off at a dealership and buy a new car. The dealer said they would give me around $6k for the truck... so that's not bad considering it has $4K in repairs and if I were to fix it and sell it private party, I would probably only get $10K. So, unfortunately, this looks like the route I'm going. I have a TON of stuff done to this truck and it sucks that the dealer is going to get it for next to nothing, but I don't think I have much of a choice.

Any advice from anyone who knows what these types of repairs entail?

 

Have any friends that can do the work in their own garage?

 

Unfortunately no... I wish I did. The guy who would could do the work is the same guy who works at the shop it's at now. He unfortunately doesn't have any time after normal work hours for something simple let alone a week long job. That would be nice though.

 

don't know what kind of lift, etc ... you have on it, but if you take it back to stock the dealer will still give you 6K, and you could have a bit of money to put toward a new vehicle (stock wheels/tires are cheap if you can find some on craigslist).

Good luck and sorry for the loss.

 

You could find an enigine off ebay or somewhere local for $800- $1000. A local shop would probably install it for alot less than rebuilding yours.

But on the other hand I think your mechanic is full of crap. A bad exhaust valve on a Toyota with only 140k on it? I'd take it to a Toyota specialist before you give up on it.

 

after looking at your cardomain page and seeing all the time and money you have put in it i would vote to keep it. why not just get another engine and put it back in. since it would just be a replacement engine it should be easy enough and i believe you can have this done for cheaper then 4k.

 

My mechanic is a Toyota specialist... he doesn't decide on price, only what the problem is. My mechanic has only driven Toyotas as well. He has a 2006 Taco himslef.

 

when i say cheaper then 4k i mean by just gettin a new engine and having it put in. By no means do i think your friend is pulling a quick one. but when he says he has to tear it down to the block there is a lot of labor involved and that is the expensive part.

 

There a couple 3.4L motors going on ebay for 800-1200

 

Look for another shop who will swap a motor in. Its not that hard, I can have it done in 2-3 days easy at the shop.

I wouldnt get rid of it, to nice a ride..

 

I vote for keeping it. There are a ton of people on here and from other boards from the Cali area. I'd say, set up a group wrench day, order the parts you need, get the tools you'll need, order some pizzas and some refreshments and go to town on it.

 

I have to agree with the general consensus. Seems like a cheaper alternative. Not to mention if you can organize a wrench day like EWAYota suggested you'd save yourself even more.

 

Keep that thing! get a new engine and change it out. it will be a lot cheaper than 4k.

Plus what else could you get that is better? a 4th gen...

If only yours was 4WD, but it is still a GREAT ride!

 

Swapping in a used motor would be your best bet.

Do you still have your stock suspension pieces and wheels? You should either swap out all your mods before you trade it in or find someone who wants your mods and sell/swap parts with them.

 

Actually I think if the dealers are willing to dish out 6k for a car that needs several thousand to fix, it's not that bad of an deal. besides you can probably get a car that you want, e.g. a 4WD.

 

I think I'm with most of the consensus here... I'd keep it and swap engines.
BUT, if you are set on trading her in, definitely take her back to stock configuration and KEEP your aftermarket parts! Trade in for a 4WD and make another awsome Runner. (Or if you dont get another Runner, sell your parts and get some of your money back)

I found out the hard way, and almost wept about it later, how much of a loss you take when you trade in aftermarket parts.

James

 

I guess prices are a lot higher for 4Runners up where you are. A 2wd 4Runner over here starts at $3500 for a 4cy and $4500 for a V6. I just bought my pristine 97 Limited V6 4x4 for $6600.

If you could get $6k for your truck in the condition its in, then it might be worth it to trade it in for a 4x4. Did you tell them the problems?

 

HAHAHAHA... uh, no. My exhaust masks some of the sound at low speed and anyone who hasn't hooked it up to a scanner would immediately think plugs. That's what I thought and that's what my mechanic thought upon first hearing it. The dealer marks things up pretty good. I won't be getting a "deal" for anything I buy from them, so they can take the markup money that I'm paying and apply it to fixing the 4Runner. I know it sounds evil... but, I'll get over it. That's if I even go this route. I have 2 people who want to look at the laundry list of things to do as well as maybe do the truck themselves. One is a retired mechanic who says he'd charge only parts since it'd give him something to do. From what I'm hearing, the parts are super cheap and the labor is what the main nut of the bill is. So, that could work out. I should find out Monday/Tuesday if that's going to happen.

 

4k seems really pricey. How much is he charging you per hour of labor and how many hours?

 

Not sure... I think labor is like $80/hr and they said a week