1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Buying a Tacoma with a replaced engine?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Ozark_RegCab, Jul 15, 2022.

  1. Jul 15, 2022 at 11:44 AM
    #41
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    Yea I realise every used vehicle is a gamble, replaced engine or not.

    But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to wonder why it needed a new engine, and whether that’s a red flag or not. I’ve seen Toyotas with 500k on the factory internals. Again my Cruiser has 233k on the unopened motor. Oh well, I guess it just had a rough life.

    At the end of the day I will accept the risk and if the engine craps out next week, well that’s nobody’s fault but mine. Looks like the consensus is that it shouldn’t necessarily a deal breaker as long as I go into it with eyes wide open.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2022
    ToyoTaco25[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Jul 15, 2022 at 12:08 PM
    #42
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    82,364
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
    You're not wrong for questioning why it had its motor replaced (if it really did).

    It's like I said, we all think differently and I do think some of the comments made were definitely not warranted.

    With that said though, I always do like @JasonLee said and assume the worst. Always assume the worst and ask yourself if you can handle the worst? If you can, both financially and if you're mechanically inclined enough, then less to worry about.

    I hope for your sake, it turns out to be a great truck for you. I don't get the way you do about vehicles, but I totally get it (when it comes to other things).
     
  3. Jul 15, 2022 at 12:19 PM
    #43
    ToyoTaco25

    ToyoTaco25 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2014
    Member:
    #126808
    Messages:
    1,305
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    09 Super-White DCSB 6-Speed
    ProComp 4" D-Bag, I mean Drop Bracket Lift, AMP Research Powersteps, 285/70-R17’s, Magnaflow, AFE CAI, Dipped Badges
    Yeah, definitely not unreasonable to wonder why it needed a new engine.

    It's a great looking truck from the pics and I hope you have all good luck with it!

    Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
     
  4. Jul 15, 2022 at 2:42 PM
    #44
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    Anyway, here's some pics of the engine bay area. Couldn't see any evidence of shoddy installation or anything like that. At this point it's a go from me barring any unforeseen circumstances.

    289654933_2385870118387093_5767049665742868866_n.jpg
    291070583_344806307849697_2724425055664824430_n.jpg
    287580507_1753544464994057_7689163806631792079_n.jpg
    286847203_740874817247942_2502453497041049269_n.jpg
    291859926_486084559863725_8145307443943205092_n.jpg
     
    drewskie and Yetimetchkangmi like this.
  5. Jul 15, 2022 at 2:47 PM
    #45
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    I did notice the top reservoir of the radiator might be getting a little brittle if I'm not mistaken. And it looks like the engine might have 120k miles or so going from the timing belt stamp. The current owner said the timing belt and water pump were changed when the motor was installed a couple years ago.
     
    drewskie likes this.
  6. Jul 15, 2022 at 3:26 PM
    #46
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    82,364
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
    The radiator shroud looks like it has 'dried coolant' which is pretty common.

    The plastic ends on top and below the radiator get brittle and crack, only to minimally spew coolant under pressure and mist throughout as the fan spins.

    My Tacoma did that but it didn't leak enough to ever cause me to run low on coolant; simple radiator replacement which is super easy and cheap to do. Fair to say it's been done based on how old those drip stains look.

    20190501_145232.jpg

    20190501_145306.jpg
     
    Ozark_RegCab[OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 15, 2022 at 4:40 PM
    #47
    TenBeers

    TenBeers Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    Member:
    #18067
    Messages:
    7,710
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Bentonville, AR
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Pro Cavalry Blue
    Yeah.
    Man, if the frame is rust-free, fluids look good with no/minimal leaks, and it runs and drives fine, other stuff can be fixed. That engine bay looks pretty good for its age. Just make sure that anything that seems funny has a realistic explanation.
     
    drewskie and Ozark_RegCab[OP] like this.
  8. Jul 15, 2022 at 5:31 PM
    #48
    Sang15

    Sang15 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2020
    Member:
    #321721
    Messages:
    34
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Vehicle:
    1998 blue taco
    Stock
    Look good to me.
     
  9. Jul 15, 2022 at 6:22 PM
    #49
    drewskie

    drewskie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Member:
    #38088
    Messages:
    2,342
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    Burbank, CA.
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner 4 banger
    Is it a good price? These things are impossible to come by as it is, so if it's a great price go for it. Or..... If you are that concerned (I would be), ask the guy if you can take it to your mechanic and ask your mechanic if it looks like the engine has been replaced.
     
  10. Jul 15, 2022 at 6:25 PM
    #50
    ztwatson

    ztwatson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    Member:
    #383995
    Messages:
    1,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Milwaukee, WI
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma TRD Xtra Cab
    Got a link to that? Id like to see mine.
     
  11. Jul 15, 2022 at 6:38 PM
    #51
    knayrb

    knayrb Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Member:
    #32473
    Messages:
    2,228
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    Somewhere in the square states
    Vehicle:
    2010 Dbl-Cab Off-Road
    Pure stock
    Pay a reputable mechanic to check the computer codes, compression test, fluid quality, and complete diagnostics. Well worth the money.
     
    drewskie likes this.
  12. Jul 15, 2022 at 6:53 PM
    #52
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    Member:
    #182227
    Messages:
    14,751
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Gallatin Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    02 Pre Runner supercharged 4cyl
    TRD supercharger , Doug Thorley header , K&N CAI 265/75-16 Toyo open country mud terrain , 15x8 Method Racing wheels , Rancho 3" lift , 4.88 gears , Detroit Locker
    Just an FYI if you want know if your engine is a crate engine or a engine from a junkyard check the VIN # on the front of the engine . It will have either a tag / decal of the Vin # or a stamp of the vin#
     
    Ozark_RegCab[OP] and drewskie like this.
  13. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:06 PM
    #53
    Diablo169

    Diablo169 ROKRAPR

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    Member:
    #181079
    Messages:
    2,908
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    99’ Bro-Coma’s Revenge 3RZ 345k+
    Stock
    Only thing I would care about having checked would be compression.

    But honestly if it runs smooth I’d probably just buy it before someone else does.
     
    drewskie and Ozark_RegCab[OP] like this.
  14. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:16 PM
    #54
    IEsurfer

    IEsurfer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2019
    Member:
    #283714
    Messages:
    1,934
    Gender:
    Male
    Socal
    You can always buy a reman from yota1 or a junkyard and have it as backup
     
    Ozark_RegCab[OP] likes this.
  15. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:17 PM
    #55
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2016
    Member:
    #173981
    Messages:
    3,832
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma TRD OR 4x4
    Those blow up too. What the OP needs is a therapeutic daily dose of Prozac
     
    IEsurfer likes this.
  16. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:19 PM
    #56
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    We are doing a straight trade for my 1997 Land Cruiser.

    If it runs smooth and has good power I will probably just take it and run a compression test and oil analysis later. I can run for codes and check temps with my OBD2 scanner also.
     
    drewskie likes this.
  17. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:25 PM
    #57
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    F957B0BB-0D74-4CFF-B948-4B529252B720.jpg
     
  18. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:26 PM
    #58
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    Member:
    #354648
    Messages:
    6,233
    First Name:
    Nick
    Northwest Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5 4x4 5 speed
    Sliders, lift, 275/70/17
    ztwatson[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:27 PM
    #59
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    82,364
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
    When I traded my 4R for my Land Cruiser, I got a ton of parts (lift, etc) that I sold off.

    Helped that I got cash on top too!
     
    Ozark_RegCab[OP] likes this.
  20. Jul 15, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #60
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    Member:
    #182227
    Messages:
    14,751
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Gallatin Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    02 Pre Runner supercharged 4cyl
    TRD supercharger , Doug Thorley header , K&N CAI 265/75-16 Toyo open country mud terrain , 15x8 Method Racing wheels , Rancho 3" lift , 4.88 gears , Detroit Locker
    I'm the guy that would check vin#'s to make sure the drivetrain is numbers matching to the chassis . If an engine comes up with the wrong Vin # I will either back out of of the sale or give a substantially lower offer than what the seller is asking . This is also if the seller doesn't provide paperwork of the engine install

    I hear alot of people go the junkyard route but that doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling . If I needed an engine do to a mechanical failure I would go the crate engine route or rebuilding the OEM engine before a junkyard engine
     

Products Discussed in

To Top