2005 Tacoma needs a timing chain - sell it or part it out?

Got the crummy news today. My taco needs a timing chain.
Mechanic quoted me a good price but the time has come to let her go. Almost 5k to fix, Plus there is some odds and sods that need some help.

What should I be doing? Sell it as is or part it out?

I've already got another ride, so this as my 3rd veh makes no sense to keep. Just sucks. I even put new rims and tires on last year....

Thoughts ?

 

5k for a timing chain? he offer a jar of Vaseline with it? I would be looking for another mechanic first....... that is way over priced you can get an entire engine installed for that or less. timing chain replacement typically run in the $1200 to $1500 US seriously take time to look for a better mechanic if the truck is in good shape fix it and sell it for more.

 

Fix it and keep it. If you have the space it’d funt to do it in your spare time. Plus it’s not needed right away if it’s an extra vehicle.

 

He told you that price because he wants you to sell it to him cheap.

 

Parts are only 1200 dollars
It's the labor that kills me....

 

I wish I had the space.... otherwise absolutely.

 

I would keep looking the timing chain lists for less than that right from Toyota and total cost for 2005, 2006 V 6 engine replacement with labor a high of $1650 and average of $1200 plus.

 

How many miles?

 

So what were the symptoms and what was your mechanic's explanation that let him pinpoint the problem to the timing chain? Were you getting misfires? Shudder? What were the codes? Misfire? Cam-crank correlation?

Assuming your mechanic even diagnosed the problem correctly (worn timing chain or worn guides), the parts add up to only $430 CAD:
Timing chain $210: https://parts.scarboroughtoyota.ca/p/Toyota__/48300687/13506AD010.html
Upper chain guide $27x2: https://parts.scarboroughtoyota.ca/p/Toyota__/48100984/13562AD010.html
Lower chain guide $51: https://parts.scarboroughtoyota.ca/p/Toyota__/48100933/13559AD010.html
Lower chain damper $112: https://parts.scarboroughtoyota.ca/p/Toyota__/48051471/13561AD010.html

Of course, since the front timing cover is coming off, it's usually recommended to replace the serpentine belt, idler pulleys, water pump, thermostat, etc.

More details are needed.

 

I had my head gaskets done on my 2005, 4 years ago and I paid around $3800.00 and I had other things done while my mechanic was in the motor. You better get another price.

 

^$3800 US is almost exactly $5000 in Canuck plastic money

 

That estimate would likely include all the things you mentioned - chain tensioner too ?

yeah - there's a few more things to add to the list now. since it's been sitting a while - seized brake pistons, some oil leak from the engine etc.... this is becoming a - scrap it - take the wheels and rims and cap and sell them off to get maybe 2k for it as is. Just sad. It's a great truck.

 

You didn't answer my original question. What problems did you have and what led to your mechanic's diagnosis? Remember a mechanic can be trustworthy and still incorrectly diagnose a problem.

 

We had our 2005 go in fall 2017 for overheating. Turned out the headgasket was bad and it was going to be $5000 if the head was alright- and up from there if it wasn’t. There was another 2005 on the shop floor with a cracked head waiting for parts.

It was our daily and we were low on options. We ended up trading it for $7k towards a new 2017.

Yes if I had the room and time I would’ve done an engine swap and kept it, or sold it for the $12-15k it was worth. But mid November with no space meant our choices were slim.

It was sad as well as the truck had 168k and a brand new frame.

 

Mechanics and shops tend to overestimate jobs if they don't feel like doing them...

 

this, I agree 100%