SOLVED! Post 2853 Leaking Injectors, Dealer Techs Rock! Extended Cranking after Engine Swap 3.4L 5vz

By the way, the 1998 ran perfectly up to the point I took it off the road. That truck was the only vehicle that never had a check engine light come (except when your first start it).

I am keeping the engine/transmission from this truck as a spare, but I doubt I will ever need it.

 

http://www.japanpowerinc.com/engine...oma_Tundra_T100_JDM_5VZ_FE_3.4_LT_24_VALVE_V6

here's one sold out of quebec w/90 day warranty. the home page says their engines come directly from japan, and have between 25,000-40,000 miles. it's $1500, +350 for shipping. thoughts?

 

also finding a lot on hollanderparts.com. but not sure how to compare one to the other

 

koditten, how many miles on your spare '98 motor? want to trade?

 

IMHO, you're crazy dropping that kind of money on that truck, unless you have some major sentimental bond to it.

$2k would be my high limit to resurrect that truck. Again, YMMV.

 

OP,

I'm not a pro, but if the $4500 guy is actually a competent, proficient mechanic and rebuilds your motor with quality parts and machining, there is no reason that it wouldnt easily go 100K+ miles. Remember the motors in these trucks all came off a factory line, mass produced and they dont even blink at the 100K mile mark, most breeze through 200K. So, a handre-built one done with care and proficiency should take your engine back to good as new.

If you are certain the guy is a quality technician and will do quality work, I wouldnt blink at the $4500 number. Also, explain your concern to him and see if he wont consider extended the warranty to 4/48 or 3/36 - that will put your mind at more ease and if there was an internal screw up during the rebuild, it would likely make itself apparent well before 36K miles.

Also, can you tell us who the $4500 guy is and what his shop's name is? If he is such a Toyota fanatic, thee is certainly somebody on TW that must know of him and the quality of his work.

 

Also (if you havent already) try making a post in the Northwest regional forum:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/north-west/

You might get lucky and find someone with experience and space in a shop that would be willing to help you out in doing a rebuild/replace.

 

I have had success with customers who bought from Automotix.com. They are solid on their warranty. The engines from Automotix are basically salvage yard engines that have been removed and inspected. Automotix requires it of all yards that sell through them. They typically come as an assembled "rolling engine" which means that you basically just swap over your alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor, and install it. They come usually complete with intake and exhaust manifolds, and are almost drop-in ready. Sometimes you may need to swap out a few small parts. The last engine a customer of mine got from them was actually TOTALLY complete, and came WITH the alternator, compressor, and power steering pump! It's a hit-miss, just like if you bought an engine from a salvage yard. However most salvage yards only offer 90 days or less on their warranty. Automotix requires a minimum 1 year warranty.

Just more information to mull over and drive ya nuts. lol.

 

Hi Moco, thanks for the input on the $4500 guy. I did post on NW forum asking around about that guy, but got only 1 response and that person didn't comment on the guy. His business is EDITED - SEE BELOW

He'd put in the dressed long block, and it would be $3300 for the product and $1150 for labor.

Any other places on the forum you'd suggest asking around about this guy's work? Based on his site and talking to him on the phone, he seems like he knows what he's doing and does excellent work.

But, cutting the cost in half by doing a used engine and paying someone to "dress it" and install it has it's appeal too. Someday we'll decide what the heck to do.

Thanks for the vote that we're not insane/victims of "highway robbery" as one person put it for considering this option. It's surprising to me that so many on this forum have said it's crazy to consider the $4500 option. I assume people think that because Taco has lots of miles and lots of years on it's other parts. But it really does seem to be in great condition, other than this engine problem! And Toyota fans always talk about driving these things to 300-400K, so why is it crazy to invest $5K in what appears to be a solid motor, when it would go into your dream truck (all the exact features you want that are tough to find in a used truck)? I'm sure, in fact I know, it currently has a few other issues, and I'm sure would have more in the future. But save for a tranny, husband can handle other stuff as it comes up, so would it really be so insane to do the $5K motor, do a $3K tranny when it comes up, and spend $100 on parts here and there as they wear out, and drive the truck for another 10+ years? I don't think so. But I see lots of people do. So I'm still confused.

I wouldn't wish this engine garbage on my worst enemy. It really truly blows.

EDIT: I've deleted the name of the business that replaced our engine from this post, because problems developed with the truck after the work they performed, and those problems are still in the process of being diagnosed as of today 2/4/15. Until I have a full clear picture of what these issue are and what caused them, I do not want to recommend or speak poorly of their business. Thanks.

 

Thanks bamatoy! That is helpful info! We're mulling over the used route, so we'll discuss the info you gave. Don't suppose you had a chance to look at that link on the JDM motor we were looking at? Here it is http://www.japanpowerinc.com/engine...oma_Tundra_T100_JDM_5VZ_FE_3.4_LT_24_VALVE_V6
They say all their motors have 25-40K, and come w/90 day warranty. They are in Quebec, so shipping is $350 + $1500 for motor. Think it's too good to be true, as far as the low miles? Ever hear anything about others doing this?

 

EDIT:

Removed name of shop due to OP's request.

 

I've seen that negative review. That same guy also posted negative comments on (EDITED - SEE BELOW) Facebook page. And another person wrote a negative review on their Facebook page as well, about how her motor blew up at 25,800 (warranty is 24,000).

But. A machine shop recommended them to me (called them when we considered rebuilding ours), found lots of great Facebook reviews, and lots of positive things said on Yotatech. And trust me, I have googled the piss out of about 10 different mechanics/dealers we've considered going to the past 10 days, and found a higher ratio of bad to good on all of them than I did on this guy. So yes, this bad review definitely worries me. But ya gotta trust somebody at some point if you're not gonna do the work yourself, so what do you do?

I am curious though - what's concerning about google searches not bringing up much? Are you thinking if he had lots of happy customers, more would come up? Please explain. Thanks for the input! I really do appreciate it, even though it's crappy news on an option I'm leaning towards - I want to go into whatever we do with eyes wide open, to minimize regrets later.

EDIT: I've deleted the name of the business that replaced our engine from this post, because problems developed with the truck after the work they performed, and those problems are still in the process of being diagnosed as of today 2/4/15. Until I have a full clear picture of what these issue are and what caused them, I do not want to recommend or speak poorly of their business. Thanks.

 

Pissed off people always write a bad review. 100 happy people got on with their life and don't leave a review. I don't get too hung up on 1 bad review.

 

You never read on the internet that someone got in their car this morning and it started right up, just like it did yesterday, and that it's a wonderful, problem free car. You'll ALWAYS read about the 1 day in 10 years where it wouldn't start in the morning.

People are funny, but I also wouldn't get hung up on one bad review, or a few bad reviews either. Everyone makes mistakes, and there are some people who only ever see the mistake and never the greatness.

Good luck with your engine.

 

This review is a solid case of BS. The owner of the truck is a tard. Obviously he has never touched a engine besides changing the oil. Ignore this review. The guy is a idiot.

 

Thanks guys! I'll sleep better tonight now......cuz that guy's a tard!!!!!!!

 

I would ignore this review, you can not blame the shop on bad headers you supplied...headers flanges are known to be wavy, and this guy could not tighten a nut or pull a dipstick?

 

Morning guys! If anyone's interested, this is a link to (EDITED - SEE BELOW) facebook page. He's got tons of photo albums, several of which show our engine type before and after rebuild - never thought I'd find something like that interesting to look at, but after this experience, it's actually quite fascinating! We're really thinking about going with this option. No doubt it's the most expensive one we've considered, but we're hoping it will be money well spent, because all other options are just a little too over our heads. Sure, we can do a brake job, or husband even replaced drive train, radiator/thermostat, etc before in a crappy gravel driveway, but swapping an engine seems it may be best left to someone w/experience, in hopes of ensuring no bolts are lost/mixed up, and those damn DOHC don't have to be messed with! Not quite 100% on this, still have to call guy w/more questions, but at this point 99% ready to do it and MOVE ON W/OUR LIVES!! Almost feels like I'd be letting y'all down, after all the time you've all put into giving me billions of helpful pointers on alternatives to save us $$$ - I basically got a free mini crash course on the 5vzfe from you guys! But it wasn't for nothing - you guys helped me learn a ton of helpful info to feel more at peace about coming to a decision - an INFORMED decision. Thanks guys! I will be sure to follow up on here after the autopsy of our engine is done, it's the least I can do to say thanks!

EDIT: I've deleted the name of the business that replaced our engine from this post, because problems developed with the truck after the work they performed, and those problems are still in the process of being diagnosed as of today 2/4/15. Until I have a full clear picture of what these issue are and what caused them, I do not want to recommend or speak poorly of their business. Thanks.

 

have you checked with these guys?

http://www.leifs.com/tigard-engine-rebuild?call=yes&keyword=engine%20rebuild%20in&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwaqkBRDHx6rzxMqAobgBEiQAxJazJ4Y7rEDmftEFZOB-cJ3lvC4LkvPZdIkObZEjB449exwaAt_R8P8HAQ

http://centralcylinderhead.com/index.html

http://www.portlandenginerebuilders.com/index2.html

and here are some BBB listings for engine rebuilders in your area: http://www.bbb.org/alaskaoregonwest...tory/engines-rebuild-and-exchange/portland-or

just don't make a rushed judgement out of frustration, you took this long to learn about all this so take your time to find the right company to build your engine at the right price and that gives the best warranty. short warranty means they "may" not be using all premium parts.

if you notice in my first link, that company says it gives a lifetime warranty. if sure it isn't as great as it sounds and there are limitations but shop around and don't just flip a coin, check reviews and BBB ratings and be sure its the best place to bring your baby to.

 

Thanks Keakar! I haven't checked w/any of these, and just briefly glanced at them now - they all look great! Definitely gonna call these guys! I think Portland Engine Rebuilders only rebuilds them for you (we'd still have to get it out & install it), but ya never know til ya check, so I'll give them a call. And definitely calling the other two - looks like they do the whole meal deal. Thank you!

Was just reading stuff that came up when I googled "fuel injection cleaner and check engine light" - found theories that using it could have knocked loose years and years of crap, which could have then clogged an injector. Does that seem logical to you? I just hope and pray we're able to determine EXACTLY what caused this and get it remedied - otherwise $5K to wind up with another piston hole seems a little bit wasteful!!!!!