Replace or Rebuild Motor

Hi all. Been a few years since I've been on here, but now I need your collective knowledges. I recently had either a bearing spin or a wrist pin fail and now I need to know my options. I don't know what is out there for either full replacement motors or the best shops to have it rebuilt or at least looked at. Motor is an 01 5VZFE with manual trans if that matters. I don't know that I ever let it get low enough to starve it of oil but that's what my mechanic says it is. Something internal. Located in Northwest CO. Thank you for any and all information you can provide!

 

There’s a shop in Colorado Springs called Japanese Auto Specialists with good reviews. No personal experience to share though.

 

You have no idea what your problem is until your engine is pulled and torn down and inspected.

It comes down To either buy A fresh Rebuild or have your current engine rebuilt?

Just what are you looking for just a stock engine no high performance gains?

Another option might be a running used engine and have that rebuilt.

I have had good luck with Jasper Engines but it was before Covid.

Good Luck.

 

good reviews are a dime a dozen

where are the negative reviews, that will tell all you need to know about the competence level

local-to-me yota shops are starting to tell me my rig is too old and too high of mileage for them to have any clue on what needs to be done to keep it tiptop in exceptional working order

 

Yota1 Performance makes rebuilt 5vz's that have a pretty good reputation and they come with a 100k mile warranty last I checked. They also have a lengthy lead time and you pay big $$$ for the peace of mind and quality.

Which route you ought to go likely depends on your use case of the truck. Is it your only vehicle? Do you need it back running ASAP? How long do you intend to keep the truck?

If you're not totally in love with the truck, I'd take a gamble on a used junkyard engine. Find a junkyard that will at least offer a 90-day warranty. That way if the engine is a dud, you can exchange for another one within 90 days and keep doing so until you get a decent one.

Your current engine doesn't sound like it'll be a good rebuild candidate based upon likely bottom end damage your stating your mechanic cited.

 

Toyota 5VZF-E 3.4L V6 Remanufactured Engine - 8/94-9/04 - Powertrain Products

 

That's a great price honestly

 

They actually have sales all the time.....usually around holidays

the 5 yr warranty costs $250 extra over the 3 yr


Dont know about their blocks.....but their heads are probably the best out there...
and their price on those shows it....


If you buy a complete reman engine, its the heads that are the weakest point...
thats usually where problems occur.

 

Yes just looking for a stock replacement, might supercharge one day but that’s pushed back quite a ways now.

Definitely love this truck. Been in the family quite a few years and it’s always been reliable and it’s better than driving my diesel dually around.

 

In that case, you've gotta ask yourself how much money are you willing to drop to fix this. @O'Silver_Taco provided a link to a $4k rebuilt engine. If you don't want to spend that much, then I'd say junkyard engine is your next best option. I think the JDM import motors are too risky IMO, and again rebuilding yours doesn't sound all that feasible and probably not really cost effective if quality rebuilt units are available for just a bit more coin.

 

I’ve replaced a few engines with used. I did a casual search and found a used one for $1,200. Plus, once vehicles get more obsolete, cash offers for used parts are usually taken seriously. My go-to little local shop gets $65 per hour. My last engine swap was $750 in labor. A few hundred's dollars in parts for installation and timing belt (Accord 4cyl) I bet I could have your project done for $2500. That’s the route I would take.

 

Buy a used engine and rebuild it on an engine stand, and replace the engine when it is done. Not only will you save on labor, the experience will help you to take on repairs in the future.

 

Got the 3.4L famous "Rod knock" ?

My factory engine got it at 375k miles, seems the only issue on these engines. although some are prob from lack of oil a ton like mine aren't. After getting local quotes (central CA) as high as $7,000 to pull my engine and rebuild it i went the JDM alternative. All in i think I spent $2,600 doing the swap myself over a weekend ($2,200 for the engine). I've put 20,000 on it now with ZERO issues and it burns ZERO oil. I have a whole thread with the details if you go that route.