No coolant

To me it’s a total surprise that they will be replacing the entire engine. If a head gasket leaks, drain the oil replace the head gasket and be on your way once all fluids are replaced. A small amount of coolant will not damage the engine over a short period of time because you brought it in right away. Unless there is a crack in the block somewhere…

 

I suspect its more than a head gasket problem.

 

It was a total surprise to me too. I thought something simple maybe a loose hose.

 

I'd be whining for a completely new truck. Exact to what you have now or better. Or take that one back and give back all money
paid into it so far plus a few thousand for the mental anguish.

After all dealers are adding 'dealer markup' on these, are we not entitled to 'consumer markup'??

And while they are finding the completely new to exact specifications truck I'd demand like-kind or better to drive on
their dime AND I would insist that THEY insure the loaner. Would probably be a good time to ask for addons to your new
truck like a bed-step / bed liner / all weather mats / extended warranty ... nickle and dime them like a finance dude at closing.

I'd make a stink about it if they didn't play ball with you on some level -
Get on the phone in front of the sales manager and attempt contact with the press etc -
They love this type of story and the dealer hates it -

Did they not play hard-ball with you at closing on the truck ? -
Did you pay full price ? -
Did they give you good discounts ? - ( no??? )

 

Ken, that is poor advice.

 

The only thing that will result from this is souring what appears to be a good relationship with a dealer doing everything they can to fix a problem.

 

@Knute
@CG256
Ken, these folks are right. Just woke up and didn't sleep well - I'm hungry and haven't had a smoke...
Ranting and raving online is good therapy for this condition LOL...
Let the dealer take their course on it...

 

This is not the correct solution for the current problem. This is why these trucks come with a warranty; something happens, that part is replaced on Toyota’s dime, continue on.

OP I would definitely recommend going for a more useful Loaner when one is available. Bonus that this likely put more pressure on the Dealer to get the truck back to you sooner. I did that a couple of years ago when I needed to have the engine repaired on my previous F-450. Oh and see if you can get Toyota to upgrade you to a 100K warranty.

 

I don't think I'll be doing that.

They were great to me before, during, and after sale.
I did get "discounts" and I shopped around before purchasing.
They gave me what I wanted on my trade-in.
Didn't try to put me into something bigger or pricier.
They didn't nickel and dime me during the closing.
They didn't play around like previous dealerships have.
They didn't know the problem, so they got the corporation involved.
They've been transparent.


Despite this major hiccup in my Tacoma, this dealer has been surprisingly easy to work with and I will more than likely buy from them again.

 

I would think spare engines would be the more common part. We are having a chip shortage, so ECMs are hard to find. Engines dont have any shortage in supplies so they should be available.

Though my friend has been waiting 2 months for a engine for her kia.

 

This exactly how you convince people to NOT want to work with you and help you out, Karen

 

So. The author of post #30 nailed it. And the only one to do so.

Is there a prize?

But please ask them exactly what the failure point is. I'm going to double down and go with a cracked block water jacket.

My logic is something wrong with the block is the only reason to replace the entire thing.

I'm glad it's being resolved for you.

 

@Kacosta91
Yea my post was a knee-jerk reaction - I retract and denounce it -
I own up to it being stupid -

Sounds like the dealer is working hard for you -

We will all want to know the root cause in case anyone else ( unlikely ) runs into this gremlin.

 

We put a new "rebuilt" head on. It had new valves, seals and we paid extra for new "reground" cams. New exhaust manifold. We stood up the exhaust to drain out all the coolant. Ran like new, drove it 500 more miles to make sure it was good...and then sold that car. Still see it every now and again. Been 8 years now. Super rusty!

 

I think Chevy still makes heads like this, but the opposite. Heads crack around the studs, won't percolate when cold but will when hot.

 

That sucks to have an engine replaced on a basically brand new truck. I wouldn't bitch for a new truck but I'd for contact Toyota Corp and let them know you've lost confidence in the truck. And that an extended warranty would make you feel better for the long haul.

 

These things are really frustrating when they happen, but how the dealership handles it makes all the difference. I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had a CEL at 200 (yes, 200) miles and was throwing a code for cylinder 1 misfire. Long and short of it was one of the heads was apparently manufactured with an out of tolerance valve channel and the exhaust valves on that cylinder would stick open once the engine got above 3500 rpm and the valve expanded from the heat. They had to open a case with Chrysler to diagnose, but finally determined I needed a new head. The heads were on backorder. Dealer kept me informed and gave me a loaner of equal quality from day 1 for the entire 3 weeks my Jeep was down. Not a dime out of my pocket. Unfortunately this was just the start of the warranty repair parade. The car sucked but the dealer made all the difference.

Sounds like your dealership is doing right by you. Let them do what they are doing and try not to get too down. Soon the problem will be behind you and you can enjoy your truck.

 

I tried that with my Jeep. Didn't work.

 

Subd to see if they actually do. You think they would scope it, drain, fill, drain, etc.

I thought Maybe the assembly robots hooked up wiper fluid to coolant by mistake.

The entire engine seems like overkill but prob a relief to OP. Hope OP got it in writing.

 

Seems Toyota is pretty good about doing it. I'd try and if they don't give it oh well. In the end as long as you get back a proper working truck you've been made whole. Anything in addition to that I'd take but wouldn't expect.