96 Tacoma engine replacement gone wrong

Hi All,

I recently purchased a used 3.4L V6 toyota engine to replace the 410K original motor out of a 1996 Toyota pickup. The used engine that I purchased from a mechanic that I've previously done business with and has extensive toyota engine expertise. I then delivered the engine to our local mechanic that specializes in Toyota and they agreed to replace the engine. They replaced the timing belt, water pump, crank and cam seals, but not the valve cover gasket seal.
Engine was installed, then after it was running for 5 min, oil blew out of the spark plug tube.
So he opened the valve cover and found significant oil/carbon crud buildup inside the engine.

Mechanic who sold me the engine saying, to fix the oil leak (replace the pcv valve), clean out the carbon buildup as best as possible, add sea foam for next 4 oil changes.

Mechanic who installed the engine, is saying now that the engine is installed he doesn't want to try cleaning it and he recommends pulling the motor and finding a new engine.

My Question is

Did the mechanic who installed the engine fail to do his due diligence by installing the motor without opening the valve covers?

It is my understanding that Before the engine was installed, it would have taken 10 min to pop the cover off the examine the valve cover gasket, the engine could have been condemned at that point and taken back for warranty.
Now I'm into this for 14hr of labor and looking for input as what to do next.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dan

 

Pretty shitty situation. The guy selling the motor should know more about it. And the guy putting it in should take the time to see what you got before he puts it in. A good mechanic always goes through everything, throughly. I guess at this point I would try cleaning the top end up. Get rid of all that sludge and build up. Maybe it’ll be fine, that will be cheaper than trying to find and go through throwing another motor in it.

 

Welcome to TW! post this in the 1st gen section and I'm sure someone can help you

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome, interweb search ATF engine clean out.

Follow the directions to the letter.

This will effectively steam clean the engine from the inside out.

It is an old world fix for coolant in the engine, carbon build up, even new engine break in.

Done it a few times with good results.

 

Even if you had to take it out, and even if you could clean the engine internals completely, would you trust it? Obviously hadnt had oil changed regularly, if at all. Bearings are going to be burned, worn and waller'd (sp?) all to hell. That thing should be making all kinds of knocking noises, or it will soon.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Not necessarily, seen many an engine with carbon like that, usually came from lack of oil services, piss poor oil ( yes there is such a thing) or lack of proper valve adjustments/fueling issues. The thing to do is clean it out and run the numbers, comp, leak down.... it might just be a really good motor that needs TLC.

 

SEAFOAM FTW

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Welcome to TW! Sorry to hear about this.