2019 Tacoma Repair Quote $20k for new engine

2019 Tacoma Repaid quote almost $20k for a new engine?
Posting on behalf of a friend. I have lots of information about the truck, but can get more if needed.

Backstory: She bought the truck 2 months ago and at the time she bought it there was no codes showing or check engine light on. Test drive revealed no issues and she thought she got a sound truck. Has 111,800 approx. miles 2019 TRD Pro 3.5L, 6-cylinder 2GR-FKS engine.

Fast forward to about a week ago the check engine light goes on. Code is for the catalytic converter. She said she noticed white smoke coming out of hood at this point. She takes it in and they do an inspection and tell her the 6th cylinder is scored (I have included a screenshot of the bore scope footage) and tell her she needs a new engine and it will cost her $14k for the engine and $5k for the labor.

I should note she lives in CO while I live in CA. This is only important as I have access to trusted mechanics that said that price is insanely high and to being her truck here to get it fixed for about half that, with buying a new engine.

This is not a dealership giving her this quote. It’s an independent shop.

When she told the woman at the shop she’s going to take it to get a second opinion and possibly get it worked on by other people the woman told her that she shouldn’t do that because ”it’s super complicated because of the the computer stuff”.

Will attach screen shots of the quote they gave her as well.

So my questions are:

1. What is the best option? New Engine or doing a rebuild?
   
   
2. Is the computer “stuff” as complex as this woman claims or is she just trying to keep my friend from taking her truck elsewhere?
   

The mechanics I know here have my 100% trust and confidence. This is my best friend of 25+ years, I wouldn’t drag her and the truck all the way here if I didn’t believe it would be the better and cheaper option.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I had posted this on Reddit and was advised to come post it here as well.
TIA!

 

I pick option #3
Different shop, and a new used engine.

 

I agree with @jmneill find a good used low mileage engine and a different shop.

 

Maybe post in the Colorado regional section to see if TW members have recommendations for a good independent shop.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/colorado.172/

 

Yes, agreed. New engine and a trusted shop to do the re & re. Just make sure it's the correct 3.5 engine. One has a vacuum pump whereas one does not.

 

Oh lovely, another one.

Find the best used motor from a junkyard that you can and find an independent shop or some friends to swap it for her.

Vaccum Pump vs non Vacuum pump motor...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/18-trd-vacuum-pump-vs-non-vac-pump-motors.759101/#post-27064914

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/engine-with-or-without-vacuum-pump.854898/

 

I'm going to guess if you sampled the oil that you would find this in it -

This is why it is so important to scrutinize the carfax before buying a new car. It isn't 100%, but if you see no maintenance history, you see a car that was traded in and then went right to auction, you know to avoid. I had a friend with a similar situation that they bought a Porsche that had been traded into a Porsche dealership that went straight to auction. Huge red flag. After a few weeks started throwing codes. Turned out to have a blown head gasket. They sent the oil out for analysis and found stop leak had been added. Long story short they had to buy a new engine because the car was sold "as is" The kicker was they bought an extended warranty, but the warranty company denied the claim because of the pre-existing condition.

 

Oil change interval hijack in 3 2 1 ........

 

Get rid of the vehicle and acquire something that doesn't have this dumb engine

 

If you're going to spend 20k, why not do the ultimate conversion in TX?

https://www.dieseltoys.com/2016-2023-tacoma

 

Mid engine LS. edit: and cut the roof off it.

 

So are we doing 2.5k miles OCI, 5k miles OCI, or 10k miles OCI, or 15k/20k miles OCI? Or should we just change the oil after every time we start and shut off the truck?

I kid I kid

 

Get a quote from the shop you trust in Cali. Figure out how much transporting the vehicle from CO to CA will cost. Add the two numbers and see what the savings are. Maths don't lie. lol

 

Sell the truck as-is and buy something more reliable.

 

car-part.com

 

bingo

 

Find a low mileage used engine and let your friend install it is my advise. The problem is even though it’s a Toyota , buying a used vehicle is a gamble because you don’t know what the person did before you. One more word of advise if you get a used motor make sure it’s from a reputable place .

 

Did she buy the truck from a Toyota dealer with a warranty or did she buy it from a mom and pop car flipper that offered to kick her tires once a month for an extra $1200?

 

I looked at one of these today and test drove one. I'd say it's everything the new 4Runner should have been. I wish it had a little more power, but the interior is comfortable and spacious and the build quality seems decent.

Put the 20k down and finance the rest, lol. Maybe lease?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ensRBrYfc44