Might need new engine....options?

So.....I might (65% sure) need a new engine for my 2nd gen...

Story:
Disclaimer::::: I know most of us are not fans of dealers or the services/repairs they provide......I had no choice, at the time::::

When I bought my truck brand new back in 2011, I got the 100,000mi warranty because this was my first truck and just in case something happened.

In April of this year, I had overheating/misfire issues and it turned out to be a bad headgasket. It was fixed at a dealer under my extended warranty. This past Monday, my HG failed again. My local mechanic is 99.9% sure( I am INF% sure) that the repairing dealer fucked up on the install or overlooked something else that should have been replaced. I am tired of dealing with that specific dealer(in Lubbock) and the local dealer(in Nederland) has been of no help and wants me to deal with the original dealer, that is 10hrs away, because I came back home for Thanksgiving.
Trusted mechanic says that, given the history of the motor, there is a good chance that the engine might have to be replaced. He sent it to the machine shop and we are waiting for a verdict.

Now, I am a college student and have no more than 4 digits in my bank account for emergencies and what-not.
My question is.....what are some options for a replacement that is cost effective and doesn't require too much downtime for a swap. I am open for most swaps, given they don't set me back too much. Labor will not be too much cause the mechanic has been a good friend for some time.
Other than another 4.0, what could I swap with and what do ya'll think?

Grassy-ass.

 

My reading skills are complete crap but i don't see where you say what is currently wrong with the engine?

 

2nd blown headgasket and, most likely, warped heads.

 

Oh i see it now lol. Damn another head gasket. That sucks. You don't have a supercharger do you?

 

Nope. Engine is all stock.

 

Is it still under warranty? If not, then I would call Toyota and tell them the dealer repair did not hold and now I need a new engine.

I would put another 4.0 in there and roll on.

The extended warranty should have been for 7 yrs, 100K. Call Toyota and stop messing with the dealer. They will tell you where to take it.

 

Is the extended warranty a toyota warranty or is it a random dealer one?

 

It was through Toyota..........the ToyotaExtendedCare or something.

 

Not anymore. I am at 101,000mi and it expired back in June...less than 10kmi on the "new" head gasket.

 

I would call Toyota. Even if it is not under warranty as the repair was done under warranty.

Jon

 

Definitely call Toyota! Tell the the repair didn't hold. I think you might have a chance of getting it repaired.

Jon

 

Thanks. I'm at the point where I don't want to deal with dealers anymore. I will try and call them tomorrow and seeing what happens.

 

If you find another engine I can help with the swap and I'm in the Houston area. Nederland isn't too far outside Houston

 

Pretty sure all dealer installed parts/repair have a 1 year warranty. I'd take it back.

 

I think you are correct.

Jon

 

Any answers yet?

 

I just had to replace my 1GR-FE. I researched every possible option. For the 2005-2011, the very best 1GR-FE replacement engine is from a 2008-2009 Toyota FJ with a VIN number starting in 'J'! 'J' VIN 1GR-FE were madei n JAPAN and shipped to the USA. '3' and '5' VIN were made either in the USA or MX. If you have to pick a '5' or a '3' go with the '5'.

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER buy a 1GR-FE manufactured in 2004,2005,2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT BUY AN LKQ ENGINE!

Swapping to a 2012-2015 1GR-FE will cause you all kinds of problems! I considered a 5.7L from a Tundra, even more issues!

I went with a 2009 FJ engine. Bought it off a guy who was having an FJ turned into a rock crawler at Florida Diesel. He was having a v8 installed. Runs awesome! Even Tac's out a couple hundred RPM's higher than '5' VIN!

Paid about $2,500 for it. Be aware, engine swap also en-tales...

- new spark plugs
- new radiator
- new hoses
- new thermostat
- new pvc
- new belt
- new pulleys
- new exhaust header gaskets
- new rear main seal
- new exhaust gaskets at cadalitic converters
- new engine oil
- new OEM toyota filter
- (I HIGHLY SUGGEST pulling upper and lower oil pans to inspect) so new O-ring for oil pump
- change oil after 24hrs
- at 500 miles, pull upper and lower oil pans, inspect for debris/change oil/OEM filter

To do it right, all labor yourself, getting a GREAT deal on an engine!!!! you looking at, minimum $5,000-$6,000 MINIMUM!

Message me, I have an on going, about to settle lawsuit against a dealer over head gasket replacement!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

True about the FJ engine. I had a 2008 FJ, miss that thing. Non of these weird issues that toyota says is normal. No taco tick, no piston slap when the engine is cold. Just better quality.

 

before you spend any money, contact me! i'll send you docs from my case. I know what they did wrong!

 

If your mechanic pulled the heads on the vehicle your recourse through Toyota is probably out of the window.

While I would agree with boudreaux about the absolute best way to replace a engine is the way he laid out it seems like extreme overkill.

If my 4.0 was beyond repair I would drop a salvage engine in and continue down the road.