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

Rebuild or Engine Swap

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Mrsatan99, Jun 1, 2019.

  1. Jun 1, 2019 at 1:38 PM
    #1
    Mrsatan99

    Mrsatan99 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2019
    Member:
    #295016
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JayBay
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma prerunner
    Hey everyone! First time on here, just had a few questions as to what my next step should be with my 2008 taco l4 manual transmission.
    Picked it up just 2 years ago at 165,000 and started burning through its mileage. Finally hit the big 200 last November and it started misfiring and is burning tons of oil.
    So much so that I had to take it to a buddy of mine and pay a little extra to get it smogged (F*ck California)
    My boy is tough and is still moving around, trans is amazing.
    but I’m at a crossroad where I don’t know if I should rebuild the damn thing or swap it out with a crate or junkyard find. Any advice or opinions on the matter and what kind of service I should perform at this age in it’s life

    0DF9B9F0-15A3-4EB3-B67D-C1394524CFC0.jpg
     
    Biscuits likes this.
  2. Jun 1, 2019 at 1:45 PM
    #2
    Delta09

    Delta09 Requires Supervision

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2019
    Member:
    #291677
    Messages:
    13,452
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    South Central PA
    Vehicle:
    2024 SR5 DCSB 4WD
    Nowadays it's just cheaper to find a low mileage used engine. The days of cheaply rebuilding your old engine are gone unfortunately. Alot of salvage places will also give you a warranty with it. Also avoid "rebuilt" engines from Jasper or the like.

    Now if you have something like stuck piston rings causing your oil consumption you could possibly do a piston soak to try and free them up.
     
  3. Jun 1, 2019 at 3:12 PM
    #3
    Bebop

    Bebop Old fashion cowboy

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2016
    Member:
    #177835
    Messages:
    4,407
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Castle rock Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Toyota Tacoma baja
    6inch lift sitting on bilstein coilovers. Lexus is300 studs in front to keep stock wheels, general grabber red letters, nfab front bumper.
    I’m going to disagree with you on the jasper motors. They are fantastic and I’ve used hundreds of them and I have never had a single issue. And they have an excellent warranty. Stay away from motors from parts houses like advanced. Junkyard motors can be a good option if you are on a budget.
     
    Biscuits and Mully like this.
  4. Jun 1, 2019 at 4:58 PM
    #4
    81shark

    81shark Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2008
    Member:
    #10567
    Messages:
    4,079
    Gender:
    Male
    Where does your buddy work
     
  5. Jun 1, 2019 at 5:12 PM
    #5
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,868
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    You should have a diagnosis of exactly what's wrong before you decide.

    It may need a repair(s) that are much less costly than an engine swap or rebuild.
     
  6. Jun 1, 2019 at 6:10 PM
    #6
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2010
    Member:
    #28588
    Messages:
    3,183
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Central Coast, CA
    Vehicle:
    06 4x4 Off Road Access Cab v6 6spd
    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    I've seen colossal screw ups from local machine shops, one was the machine shop owner's personal truck. Maybe they don't all turn out that way, but it's only as good as the guy doing the work, and that's really hard to figure out without spending a lot of money.

    I've worked at the parts houses, don't buy an engine there, that's a bad gamble.

    I have noted that most local shops are sporting a Jasper Engines poster on the wall, so I'm guessing they are having good luck with them.

    Personally I would go with a used low mileage engine that hasn't been messed with.
     
    goforbroke123 likes this.
  7. Jun 1, 2019 at 7:01 PM
    #7
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2015
    Member:
    #156224
    Messages:
    4,915
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marshall
    Vehicle:
    07 White TRD double cab
    none
    I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't something simple that can be fixed. Those engines have a reputation for going way beyond 200,000 miles. This guy drove his over 800,000 miles before it needed a head gasket. The engine was still fine, but he decided to replace, rather than repair with that many miles. He bought a 100,000 mile junkyard engine and has put an additional 300,000+ on that engine.

    https://www.google.com/search?ei=RC.....0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i30.AmluUtVsMoQ
     
  8. Jun 1, 2019 at 8:02 PM
    #8
    lynlan1819

    lynlan1819 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    Member:
    #181268
    Messages:
    6,539
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tacoma
    Lifted
    Find out what is wrong first.
     
  9. Jun 1, 2019 at 9:34 PM
    #9
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2010
    Member:
    #28588
    Messages:
    3,183
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Central Coast, CA
    Vehicle:
    06 4x4 Off Road Access Cab v6 6spd
    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    Yes. It could be something simple like a bad PCV valve. Worth the time and money for a diagnostic for sure.
     
  10. Jun 1, 2019 at 9:43 PM
    #10
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2014
    Member:
    #122907
    Messages:
    5,272
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    CA
    Vehicle:
    12 DC 4x4 Lifted Sport
    Lifted, Kings, Locked, 295s and more.
    Roll it, collect the insurance funds and go put a down payment on a new truck.
     
    whatstcp likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top