Looking for input on the engine in my 98 (3.4)

Awesome truck. Brand new basically.

Wondering if you could tell me how to inspect the flywheel/clutch? Id like to inspect mine.

 

I have a 5 speed and where the transmission and engine meet on the bottom there is an inspection plate. There are 4 bolts (12mm) that hold it on. Once you remove it you can inspect your flywheel. I would assume the automatics are similar but I haven't set eyes on one in a long time.

 

When I take it in I hope it can get fixed at no cost to me. I mean - it should. After about $6300 it should right? lol

 

Absolutely. Sunwest should foot that bill and pay the installing mechanic to do said repair.

 

We will see. They have been very good but like all things it's a fine thread to walk on now-a-days.

 

Good news to report. The oil pan just needed the bolts snugged up. So no leaky rear main. Sunwest has a deal in their warranty paperwork where at 500 miles they want a ASA certified mechanic to do a check-over. Checked oil pressure and coolant temp, checked for leaks etc. Engine has great oil pressure and coolant temp is within range. So it's all good It's a relief. Now for the long haul test.

 

I'm curious how things are going after a year? I live pretty close to Sunwest and I'm just trying to develop a strategy for when it's time for a rebuild or replacement. Hope it's going well, since you haven't come back to say otherwise

 

well - not so good news and also some ok news. I had some incredibly bad luck and the crankshaft on my engine gave out on me going 65 down the interstate. It specifically says in the engine warranty that crankshaft failure is not covered which come to find out is very typical with all engine reman places. I have a replacement engine coming from Sunwest at a dramatically reduced cost so I do have to spend some but not the whole shabang again. My local mechanic I use is also giving me a good deal as it's just an all around crap situation. After I get it all fixed back up again I'm debating whether or not to keep it or trade it towards something else.

 

whoa! how did that happen??
isn't the crankshaft a big chunk of solid metal, how would it just fail?
were there Any other noticeable symptoms or strange oddities popping up before that happened at 65

 

I'm very sorry to hear that. I have heard mixed things about Sunwest. Heard they used to be great, but not so much anymore. Only place I haven't heard anything bad about is Yota1 down in California. Everywhere else ive looked theres been just enough bad reviews to scare me away. Anyway, good luck with it all.

 

i think it’s hit and miss Honestly with these old pickups. Get a jdm low mileage. That’s mixed pass fail to. Get a used one from a wrecker. Gambling there too. It’s probably something I did or who knows what it could of been.

 

There were no signs of anything before it happened. Oil pressure remained good, coolant temperature good and engine broke in and changed when required on a remanned. Just peculiar to say the least. It’s also very rare apparently that a crank breaks.

 

Definitely hit and miss it seems. I think whenever the time comes I'll either go yota1, as I mentioned, or yotashop in lacenter, wa. Probably yotashop since they're pretty close to where I grew up. Anyway, again good luck to ya, hope you find a way to hold on to your rig.

 

Finally got my Tacoma back. Replacement engine is running great. I put some new injectors from yota1 in as well. We will see how this round pans out. Hoping for the best!

 

Awesome! Hope the same for ya