Threw a rod

So driving up to the mountains I began having violent shaking and smoke. Got it towed to a Toyota dealer and they came back saying I put a hole in my engine. The dealer is recommending a replacement of the engine with a short block and pull the old heads to inspect/possibly replace them. That's gonna run be over $13,000. I found a rebuilt engine on Car Part Planet for just over $4,000.

My question is should I go with the dealer or Car Part Planet and do it myself? I have the means and friends with the knowledge (I have beer for them). I really don't have that much experience with it all. A third option would be to sell my current Runner for parts and get a new one.

 

Less the blown motor, whats the overall condition of the rest of the Runner? How many miles? What's the condition of the remaining drive train? What was it's value running? What is it now? How good are your friends(as mechanics and friends)and do you want to keep them(kidding).

Decisions......

 

13k for a replacement engine that’s probably used?! Wow I could probably order a crate hellcat engine at that price. If I was in your shoes I’d go the friends route and do it myself. But the decision is yours!

 

Dealers quote is a short block using his heads. If they are salvageable?

 

Your best best is to find a well established mechanic that isn’t a dealership.

 

How many miles were on it?

 

Oh even worse

 

My vote goes to part it out and get treat yourself to a new one.

 

I got it for just over $9,000 at 134,000 miles and this happened at 158,599 miles (HUGE bummer). The dealership said they would be buying a short block and re-using the old heads. I think the rest of the car is in pretty good condition, I put a new suspension system, tires, and had plans for new exhaust & headers. I feel that it be hard to find as good of a deal. Plus I'm on a bit of a time crunch with graduating college here in May and moving half way across the country.

I think I'm gonna call around to different dealerships and see what I can find out. Hopefully that or YouTube University can bring down that cost significantly.

 

If I went the $13k route, I think I’d be looking at a different vehicle entirely.

 

Check local sources for privately owned shops who specialize in working on Japanese cars. Make sure they come with credible references. If you decide to refresh the motor? Have all the drivetrain fluids changed too. That may save you from another headache. The dealers bid is likely 30% higher or more than a reputable shop will charge you. I'd venture to say you can save 30% even if the existing heads need reworked. Unless they are found to be cracked or warped. It's hard to judge all this from 30 thousand feet. Take your time finding the 'right person' to do the work, because it'll go relatively fast once they begin. hope this helps a little.

 

That seems quite early for any engine to throw a rod. Some critical maintenance must of not been done, apart from the 3vz and the teflon Tercel engine, Toyota engines should be able to get to 200k+ easily.

Take it to a shop that is reputable for doing engine rebuilds and swaps and see what they can do. The dealership is usually the absolute maximum price you should pay to fix any issues.

 

Thank you all for your replies! I am leaning more towards finding another shop to swap the engine. I don't think I am ready to part ways with my 4Runner just yet and because I am about to graduate, I don't think I will have a whole lot of time to be able to part it out.

I really appreciate it yall!