How much is a 2013 worth with a shot engine?

First and for most lets all hope for the best for your wife, you and family. Second, I like what you did for the first son. A new reliable basic car for piece of mind and simple transportation. As far as the Tacoma with a motor issue. Find a buyer that can do the engine work themselves or is simply willing to understand the problems. Move on from vehicle problems and focus on what is really most important. Down the road we all hope that when you get the all is clear you will be less stressed and can take on new challenges.

 

1) Wishing your wife best of health and recovery
2) OP, you and your wife did a fantastic job raising your kids
3) Do not add additional financial stress with a new vehicle, especially with the unknown medical costs with your wife's treatments. You sound like a great dad and husband who I feel is carrying alot of weight taking care of your family. I'm certain your kids would understand and be thankful if you bought them a beater honda, much less a Tacoma with a rebuilt engine. Concentrate on what's important in front of you, not materialistic things like a new vehicle.

 

Thank you for this viewpoint. I really feel the new vehicle is the stress free option at this point. Scrambling to find an engine and someone to put it in, in between trips to Houston, all before mid August and college. Oof. The idea of getting the youngest squared away and parking the 2013 until I have the bandwidth and time to deal with fixing it and then selling it to help on some losses sounds more palatable at this point. But then again, I’m just a guy who destroys a truck changing the spark plugs, ha.

 

@Illymost, sorry you have to deal with this on top of everything else...just one more stress you don't need. Having dealt with cancer for over 10 years (original diagnosis in 2011 followed by 3 recurrences) I feel like the caregivers definitely have the harder time through it all since I just slept, puked, and took pain meds while my wife took care of the household, the kids, and me. Positive thoughts for your wife, she's heading to a great facility for treatment.

 

Thank you, sir. You’ve got to be one tough, stubborn SOB and your wife, a saint. Respect to you both.

 

How did you shear a bolt on the valve cover when replacing spark plugs? Or what do you mean by that. And you didnt quite say, but I am assuming there was still debris inside when it got started? What happened when it was started? Because to me why would you be removing any valve cover bolts for spark plugs? and when you say inside are you talking about combustion chamber or head?

Sorry, just trying to understand this, and maybe there is more to be discussed about whether or not you really need a engine or maybe get another opinion?

 

The bolt that holds on the coil. 2 different mechanics advised it would need a new engine. It sounds horrible. 2nd mechanic said it sounds like the debris got low into the engine and it isn’t good. I’m no mechanic, obviously, but it would be awesome if it was fixable. Just seems unlikely after 2 opinions.

 

Definitely agree, paying money to reduce stress is sometimes the wise move overall. Especially with what is on your plate presently. IMO I think buy another one now and shelve the truck until you can find an engine, drop in and go.

 

If you have a trusted mechanic, just have an engine shipped from eBay to the shop to have it done. There's quite a few listed on there and spending to have a used motor versus truck payments would pay for itself after one year.

 

Darn man, you have been put through the ringer. I would swap engines. Good luck to your wife. It must be tough.

 

I can vouch for that. My 2015 DCSB w/ 74,022 was 5k more than a new 2022 SR5

 

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