Reconditioned engines

Submitted: Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 10:13
ThreadID: 88817 Views:2784 Replies:7 FollowUps:4
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G'day,

After the mild disaster on our 'holiday' my HiLux needs a new motor. It's the 5L 3.0L diesel. The cam shaft has broken in 3 pieces and the piston faces have shiny valve patterns worn into them and the internals of the head are warped and worthless - the belt skipped a tooth before it 'went'. This after I paid someone to fix the sudden loud tapping - I got about another 24km out of it! Anyways, $1100 for the work done (they replaced the injectors and assured me the ongoing noise would resolve itself), a wrangle with the nation-wide franchise and life without a HiLux is pretty tough! I should also add the wife's not too pleased.

I'm wondering what I can expect out of this exercise? It'll cost me about $7k for swap over, + freight. They generally offer a 12 month warranty on the motor. Is this 12 month warranty a sign of what I can expect?

The local Toyota dealers will be doing the swap when it arrives, that's if I don't hear from the franchise in question by COB Monday. I'm just wondering what others have experienced. Are they reliable? Is it a sound investment, or should I reconsider my choice?

Thanks all.
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Reply By: Member - Michael A (ACT) - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 10:28

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 10:28
Joshuah
It just happens I was reading a 3 series article on this topic in '4wd Custom Guide' Magazine no's 43, 44, and 45. No. 45 has compartitive costs shown.

Hove an optic it may help

Regards

M

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AnswerID: 464107

Follow Up By: Joshuah - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 11:03

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 11:03
Thanks Michael.

I'll see if I can find a copy.

J.
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FollowupID: 738020

Reply By: Michaeljp - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 12:01

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 12:01
Mate, I was thinking about replacing my 3L 2.8L recently and was talking to a toyota spares bloke in sydney and he said i can get brand new toyota engine from japan for about $8500. But would take about a month to get here.
AnswerID: 464111

Follow Up By: Cruiser .- Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 12:22

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 12:22
Have a look at http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Wheels-Tyres-Parts-Accessories/Engines-Transmissions/AdNumber=TP004581808

Cheers,

Cruiser
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FollowupID: 738023

Reply By: stevo - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 13:55

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 13:55
Hi Josh, Back in May due to a stone fracturing the radiator core way up the Cape York rd near Hann R roadhouse I "cooked" my Mazda Bravo at 99,000kms ---- Got a good replacement from Gold Coast 4wd Wreckers --- don't know where you are but freight is a big factor --- check em online or phone 07 5591 5988 for a price --- good luck with the replacement --- Rob
AnswerID: 464115

Reply By: splits - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 22:55

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 22:55
Joshuah

Are the pistons definitely damaged too much? When a belt breaks and the valves hit the pistons, the camshaft is supposed to break in multiple places to prevent damage to the pistons and con rods. It is the designed weak link. Make sure the whole engine really has to be replaced before you go that far.

AnswerID: 464153

Follow Up By: Joshuah - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 07:18

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 07:18
G'day Splits,

Yeah, it's the big question! The valves had been making contact with the pistons for about 220km of travel before the belt totally went, so the faces are indented a bit. The mechanic said that it may be ok, but the repeated stress may have caused some ballooning around the edges of the pistons. Without pulling them out, it's hard to confirm. I'm also under a little time pressure to get something done, so I can't really wait for that.

So I'm not sure I want to take the risk if other problems result from this. Although I can save $3-4k by just replacing the head, I tend to err on the conservative side (not conservative for my wallet!). But if the block is rubbish, i'll be up for more $.

Visually, I can't see any deformation. I suppose these forces would have transferred down to the main crank and bearnings too?

Thanks Splits, I'll look into it some more.

Joshua.
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FollowupID: 738058

Reply By: Member - Krakka - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:48

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:48
Hi Joshuah,
To be honest I wouldn't let a Toyota dealership do any major work like that on my truck.
Cut a long story short..............wifes camry started making this loud clanging noise one day, took it to the dealer and asked them if they could find out what was wrong, and we went on holidays and left it there. They rang me a week later (was over xmas) and told me it had dropped a piston and had badly damaged the cylinder. For 10K they could have me on my way, new short motor and they bolt all my old gear on, plus extra 1K per head to overhaul.
Told them no. Got home and organised a Repco dealer to order a recon motor, go to pick up camry from dealer, and EVERYTHING had been removed from engine bay and placed in cardboard boxes and they give me a $1200.00 bill for labor, took it all to Repco and he has to charge me another 1K in labor to assemble for xchange, then cost another 5K for recon and change over.

Should have just gone to Repco to start with, nationwide guarantee also.

Regards

AnswerID: 464184

Follow Up By: Joshuah - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 06:54

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 06:54
G'day Krakka,

$10K for a new (short) engine fitted is not too unreasonable, is it? I mean, it's a lot of money, but I assume we're talking Toyota factory new parts.

So, how did the repco recon motor go?

Joshua.

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FollowupID: 738123

Reply By: Joshuah - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 06:46

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 06:46
Thanks for the input regarding the replacement.

I'm still looking for any info people can share about their own reconditioned motor experience. (I'm yet to find the magazine).

This info would be great for me and probably good for anyones future reference.

Thanks all.

Joshua.
AnswerID: 464231

Reply By: mountainman - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011 at 22:50

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011 at 22:50
my experience.
i paid 6g to rebuild my 2h model with sleeves damn it!!
anyway paid upfront and 14 weeks later finally got it back.
id get a local guy to rebuild it as you have a local guy to hassle than a big franchise, me personaly.
GET IT BALANCED
AnswerID: 464468

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