Recommendations on Where to Buy a New or Rebuilt 2.4L Engine

I've been lurking around these forums for many years, gleaning tons of useful, helpful information.

My 2004 Taco 2.4L has lost a cylinder (24 psi pressure). It's sad, really. I'm the original owner and have put every one of the 257,000 miles on her myself. I would like to have a new or re-manufactured engine installed. Leaning towards new.

Any suggestions as to where (or where NOT) to buy one would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if you know anyone in the Houston area that you could recommend to do the labor, that info would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks!

 

I've dug into this a little bit recently and without being able to answer the question of if they're a good company to use, I'd go with them. They specialize in toyota engines, 22RE, RZs, and VZs so they should know what they're doing. Plus they are the cheapest cost I have found for a long block and include a 3 year warranty. A new engine runs $2200 and a remanned runs $2000.

http://www.toyotatruckengine.com/

 

Curious what killed the compression on the cylinder? Rings, valves or something else?

If valves, why not install a refreshed head and rock on? If the bottom end is good I see no reason to chase a new motor.

 

Where are you at? I've got a shop in Phoenix we do rebuilds out of for friends/family. Rebuilding my 3.4 this weekend with a friend.

edit: I'm an idiot, just saw Houston in OP. nvm

 

wildfyr3: thanks, I've been looking at that site. The engine I'm looking at is a 2.7L 3RZ and they are telling me it is a plug and play replacement for my 2.4. At $2100 it seems almost too good to be true. My local dealer wants about $7K drive out to replace my engine with a reman. They said that I can buy an engine, ship it to them and they will install it for "around $2K" but they won't be able to offer a warranty.

Clearwater Bill: I haven't a clue. All I know for sure is #2 cylinder is only pumping up about 25-27psi (I saw it myself). If I had the mechanical aptitude to answer your questions I probably wouldn't be in this predicament!! After twelve years and 257,000 miles with nothing but basic maintenance I figure I'm due.

Overwatch: no prob. We should form a club.

I am wondering...will I have to "open up" the AC system or can I replace the engine without losing refrigerant? An on the toyotatruckengine.com website they say that "valve cover and harmonic balancer not included". I'm sure my old valve cover is ok but will it work with the 3rz? Is my old harmonic balancer useable?

Thanks everyone for helping.

Rick

 

Whoever did the test for you should be able to tell. A normal compression test can be wet and dry, then a leakdown test will be even more revealing. It's not hard to determine if valves are involved prior to teardown.

Again, a head is cheaper than a whole engine. Although these $2k prices floating around are pretty intriguing.

Good luck!