Just had a rod bust its way out 3.4L

We bought a 2002 less than 2 weeks ago. Turns out it needed catalytic converters so I just spent $644 on cats getting installed yesterday.

Today a rod busted through the engine case while my son was driving it. This is going to be one expensive old used truck.

Anybody got any advice on a replacement engine? Buy a used engine or a get a rebuilt engine? This sucks.

Thanks!

 

"This is going to be one expensive old used truck." ...especially if your son keeps driving it.

This could probably only happen from low oil pressure or over revving. Is this a 5 speed?

 

Be good if He fessed up to what really happened.

I guess the route you go depends on the budget .

So how soon will your son save enough to replace the engine ??

pictures would be interesting

 

You can buy a used JDM engine for about $1,000. Roughly 50k miles.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-2004-...-5VZ-FE-5VZFE-5VZ/283179934058?epid=654499196

What's your location?

 

oof. Used engines range from 700-1000 from what ive seen. if your mechanically inclined these are not hard to pull and replace. but if your paying a shop expect around 2500-3000 all said and done id guess

that being said rods dont just pop out of the block to say hi that often, either she was low on oil, knocking, or someone was a little too hard on the ol girl

 

What makes you guys think it’s completely the sons fault? If he just bought the truck and it already need a catalytic converter, and blew a rod, my guess is the truck has been neglected since day one. Never mind the fact that it’s also 16 years old...

 

Then the pre purchase inspection must have just been a glance .

Besides I know what I was like at that age

 

rods dont usually pop out of blocks for no reason, not saying it cant happen. but it is very rare and usually is a result of a manufacturing error and present themselves when the engines are young. Its very possible there was an issue before hand with this particular engine, but usually theres noise or some kind of indication whats happening (it could of also lost oil pressure, very possible)


but based off my experience with kids driving parents cars (i dont know his sons age and im not saying its his fault) most engine jobs i do at work where a rod popped out in the sons/daughter car is usually from hot rodding.

 

I was half joking about the son. The son could be 40 years old for all we know. Since the truck is new to the OP, it's unknown what work had been done. Maybe the engine was rebuilt in some way before it was sold and something wasn't tightened correctly.

It's probably still worth replacing the engine unless the truck can be sold for a reasonable price as is and you want to do that.

 

Is that an honest shop to buy from just in case I ever needed one?

 

I hate buying used cars out of warranty . If you get a motor get a warranty , GL .

 

My first thought was the son was working the piss out of the motor and that’s because I was 16 once too and I’ve blown up 3 motors in my lifetime. Every one was from pushing the motor way too hard (they were all motorcycles). At least dad finally bought me a bigger dirt bike after the 3rd one.

 

Is there a chance it was knocking for the previous owner and they added something to the motor to shut it up long enough to sell ? I know knocks dont go away but I have heard of some dirty deals before.

 

What age? OP's son could be 40 years old for all we know. The truck should have been fine unless this guy was on the rev limiter doing donuts or something.

 

I know these things USUALLY happen due to abuse, but my cousin had a first gen that he drove to like 250k and one day he was sitting in stop and go traffic on the highway and it blew a rod. He said it started making a horrible rattle and then boom. All she wrote.

 

I would say it was beat on quite badly before you bought it for that to happen so quickly. It was on it's way and unfortunately it happened so soon. Always a gamble but at least you got one that's worth fixing!

 

Almost 50 cars over the years, and only 3 were new.

One new one needed AC work under extended warranty.

One new one was sold in a month due to a baby health issue, so don't know how that would have worked out.

Still driving the '04 Highlander bought new. No warranty work.

Of all the used ones and 10's of thousands of miles driven, only one was a real pita. An Acura Legend with a bad auto trans. followed by a bad AC. I really messed up buying that one.

Point is, warranties are offered to make folks feel good, and done so for periods of time where the risk of having to pay out is very low. So I'm willing to take the gamble and buy out of warranty, as the 3 year old slot is the sweet spot for 'newer' vehicles. I'm way ahead of the game financially.

 

I had an 01 Acura CL 3.2 Type S with auto tranny....worst purchase ever cause of the tranny issues...over $3k lost on that sale. I totally forgot about those auto transmissions

 

Since 2001 I have been buying new or close to new and I like it much better than buying used out of warranty . I know some cant afford it and I was there too but here now . I also know that there are good used cars out there but as for me I dont like spending thousands and no warranty .

 

yes indeed they would!