Engine Question

My 2005 4.0 with 150k miles was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain. it is intermittently throwing a p0016 code but still drives great. I was quoted 3200$ to repair it. The truck is in awesome shape and I've put a ton of upgrades into it so I really don't want to get rid of it. Should I repair it or try to find a low mileage donor motor. If I decide to replace the motor I will drive this one until it blows up. Who knows I may get another 100k out of it. If I repair it, I will have them keep going and replace the head gaskets also since they are prone to failure on my year and around my mileage. What year engines are compatible with my year if i decide to just replace the engine?

 

I'd get a second opinion. That seems exceptionally odd at only 150K miles.

 

If you are locked in the house, take the time to view these videos to give you a full understanding of 4.0 engine timing chain issues. This guy is beyond a technician.

https://youtu.be/il9iR095teM

 

Chain replacement is scheduled for 225 or 250k. I'd be looking elsewhere for the problem

 

Seems way too soon, & price seems like a dealership price. Like said, a second opinion & maybe a third. How disappointed would everyone be with $3200 in repairs on a 150K Taco. Strange things happen

 

Get a second opinion.

 

Have you had it a long time? If in fact the chain is worn out then could it have been abused or not maintained properly in the past? I'm in favor of repairing the original engine as opposed to replacing it with another used one. Maybe you could send an oil sample in to get a sense of the overall health of the thing.

 

I've owned it about a year an a half. I assume the original owner didn't keep up with the oil changes. It runs awesome and only throws a p0016 code when it is really cold out and I don't let it warm up, never comes on other than in the winter months. I'm doing oil changes every 3-4k with full synthetic oil to try and delay replacing it for a while. When the time comes, I will most likely just rebuild this engine. I may tear into it myself and save $$$ I used to build drag engines for mustangs back in the 90's. This engine doesn't look too difficult.

 

$3200 sounds about right.. if you subtract $2000 from it... That's way overpriced and should be the last resort once you've exhausted all other options to rectify the issue.

 

$3200 quote was from a local toyota stealership

 

Yes, sounds right for a dealer, that's why you try to never go to a dealer. Dealers are also known for selling things that aren't needed, not say'in you don't need a timing chain, just say'in it would be really uncommon to need one on a Taco at 150K. Did anyone happen to mention a second opinion & not from another Toyota dealer?

 

It is very expensive due to parts alone.

It's 3 timing chains and 3 tensioners, sometimes guides and idler plus about 8 hours labour.

Add a water pump, gaskets and fluids and it pops up to 3k no problem.

p0016 is very common at 150k + and this will fix it.

 

Hey henessy, any updates? I been doing a lot of reading & searching & not finding these Toyota problems at 150K. With timing belts, maybe, but not with the timing chains. Really interesting. Please keep us updated.

 

The timing chain stretching at 150k is highly unlikely. Most people never have yo replace them. Hell I gave had 40 year old cars with original chains.

 

8 hr. labor @ $100.00 = $800.00 labor. Hard to imagine even a dealer could charge $2400.00 for parts to change the timing chains. I just punched it up on ebay. Toyota 4.0 v6 eng rebuild kit. Pistons, rings, wrist pins & clips, main & rod bearings, timing chains, timing gears, 3 tensioners, guides, water pump, oil pump, gasket set...$365.00 + free S/H. Sure, it ain't OEM Toyota, but that price.

 

Anyone know a good shop in NH / MA? 2 shops have said they'd quote the job and never called me back.

 

High quality no doubt. Only the best recycled brake rotors and Coke cans, and some kid in China forging it all with a pack of matches and a butterknife.

 

I definitely would go oem or at least melling or cloyes for timing components. No ebay junk.

 

Let us know how the rebuild goes with those cheap ass parts. Eeeeh! Is there even a scheduled t chain replacement interval in the owners manual?

 

Sounds a bit high but with a dealer you are getting OEM quality parts with factory trained technicians.

I'd personally look for an independent Jap or Toyota specialist and use OEM parts bought online. Do head gaskets while you are in there. Might was well if you are that far along with all the cooling stuff.

Or

Sell it and buy something newer. That's a pretty expensive job and will be a significant chunk of the truck cost. Consider trading it in if you can't do this work yourself.