Help! '13 LC w/ blown engine on vacation

[mkh2539]

Hi team,

I'm currently dealing with a worst-case scenario and I'd appreciate your input...

With the family on vacation in Miami, 1,200 miles from home (Indianapolis) and my LC's engine blew while driving down the highway. I was on the way to a nearby Toyota dealership because it was driving weird -- the 4LO light was flashing along with the check engine light having popped on. Making a bit of a clanking noise too. I knew it wasn't good, but didn't think it was that bad.

From the side of the highway, I had it towed on a flatbed to the dealership and they just confirmed that the engine needs replaced. Apparently the engine had overheated due to an improperly installed hose on the radiator, which allowed all the fluids to gradually leak. The brand new radiator was installed just 1 month ago, right before the start of this road trip by a 3rd party (Goodyear). I'm obviously dealing with some regrets here on multiple levels, but at the moment what I really need to do is figure out a solution.

Right now - I'm waiting to hear back from the Toyota dealership here in Miami on their solution for the path ahead. I'm expecting them to say it's going to be well into 5-figures $$$$ to get the new engine put in. The car is a 2013 w/ ~160k miles on it. I bought the vehicle used 1.5 years ago for just over $30k.

Here's my immediate plan, but I'd love your input:

1. Call the Goodyear branch that improperly installed the radiator; tell them Toyota says they're at fault, ask what they're willing to do to help out here
2. Call my insurance provider and see if we can file a claim

As far as getting the car back on the road, I'm trying to decide which of the following would be the best option:

1. Replace the engine here in Miami at the dealership (source a rebuilt LC or Tundra engine?)
2. Ship the car to an independent auto shop and have them do the work (any recs near Indy?)
3. Ask Toyota what they'd offer for the car in its current condition

Thanks in advance. I'll share more details as I have them...

 

[doru]

It depends on the financial math.
How much you paid on the truck.
How much the repair path you chose will cost.
How much Goodyear is going to pay of it.
and
What is the truck condition now (besides the engine).

Then we can give some options. The issue is that the used truck prices are through the roof. If this is a good conditions one and you can get some cost recoup from the party at fault it might be good to keep it.

In general you lose money when trying to sell with a blown engine. But you do not have to worry about fixing it.

 

[toy_tek]

I’d be inclined to get it shipped home so you have more options and aren’t under a time constraint. Probably looking at a grand to do that, but might be worth it. Could also possibly source a used engine.

Get a clear and thorough WRITTEN determination of the engine condition and what caused it from Toyota, this will help your case dealing w Goodyear, whether insurance deals with it or you end up in court to recoup money from their failure to complete the job correctly.

Best of luck.

 

[BIC JET]

On your plan, I would do both 1 & 2.

Doru is correct in his questions, but I also think you might check the market and see what hte used prices are for a similar 2013-2014 model so you can see what you are up against. A new motor might serve you well, for a long time and would most likely come with some warranty. If the body on the truck is straight and all is well with it, then you might keep it, or you could consider a sale and a new (used) purchase. Another thought, depending on the severity of the damage to the engine, it mught make sense to rebuild it, but you would need a professional to look it over and provide some idea of what actually occurred and how severe it is.

 

[mobi-arc]

5 figures sounds like a lot for a high volume engine replacement. For comparison, my old man had an R8 and a downshift caused an engine problem such that the dealer was either going to replace it with a new engine, or a reman engine, and the reman engine install ran around $20k....and that's lower volume Lambo/R8 engine, so your TLC should be waaaaay less. Wild-ass guess would be somewhere in the $5 to $7k range if the engine is pulled from a lower mile wrecked LC. Again, I have no experience so take my info with a grain of salt.

 

[Supra Turbo]

I would throw a good used engine in there for $3-4k's or a new one. At that point, you could either sell and potentially break even compared to what you paid 1.5 years ago or continue driving it for the next 20 years...

But as others stated, start at Toyota by getting their help documenting the issue and speaking with Goodyear.

 

[bloc]

Personally I'd prefer a used engine over a rebuild. I trust a well worn toyota-built engine more than what some random shop churning out cheap rebuilds will produce.

Beyond that, lots of good advice here. Sorry you are dealing with this, and good luck getting some coverage.

 

[UnFadeable21]

Luckily it’s a common engine because it’s the same as a Tundra. Should be one in a junk yard somewhere.

s***ty situation though, good luck brother

 

[manofthewoods]

Personally I'd prefer a used engine over a rebuild. I trust a well worn toyota-built engine more than what some random shop churning out cheap rebuilds will produce.

Beyond that, lots of good advice here. Sorry you are dealing with this, and good luck getting some coverage.

I'd second your thoughts above, the only concern would be how well cared for was the donor engine?
Me? I'd do a rebuild myself. 'cause that's who I trust. Not a practical solution for a DD though.

 

[Sandroad]

I'd suggest shipping it home and dealing with it on a non-emergency basis. I think it's worth keeping, assuming the rest of the truck is ok.

For sure get the Goodyear place involved, after documenting the problem they caused with the Toyota dealer where you are.

Since you live in Indy, when the truck gets home, give Eric Sergeant at Ed Martin Toyota in Noblesville a call. He's familiar with the 200s and may have some ideas about getting an engine in there and saving a good LC. 317-764-2700

 

[bloc]

I'd second your thoughts above, the only concern would be how well cared for was the donor engine?
Me? I'd do a rebuild myself. 'cause that's who I trust. Not a practical solution for a DD though.

Until a few years ago I’d do the same thing, but production technology has advanced so much that it would be worth the effort researching and cost of an unlimited carfax to find a good used engine with a good history somewhere, vs doing the rebuild myself and paying for the things I can’t do.. like simple block and head work.

As pointed out above this engine is the same as in a tundra. There are just so many out there your odds of being able to find a good example must be pretty good.

 

[Cruisin911]

These trucks are not coming back any time soon. My advice is to put a brand new engine in it and drive it for another decade or more. Keep another one on the road. Best of luck with goodyear on this. I wouldn't set my expectations too high.

If it leaked and eventually ran out of fluid, was the temp gauge broken? Did you just not notice it overheat?

 

[04UZJ100]

**** - mechanics are on a roll with killing 200s recently. Are they working for the government trying to kill ICE?

I am sorry to hear this - bad situation at the worst time. I hope that they step up to the plate - document everything.

 

[Docwyte]

Agree on the good, used motor. Nobody builds them like the factory, I'll choose one over a rebuild any day of the week. Good luck with Goodyear, especially after a month it can be hard to prove that they were the cause of the issue...

 

[linuxgod]

We really need someone who is a lawyer who has dealt with these types of issues to explain how people should deal with this kind of situation. IANAL, but I believe this is the path you'd want to take:

1. Ask the Toyota dealership you're at if they will put the failure diagnosis in writing.
2. Call the Goodyear shop and talk to the manager, call corporate as well. If they're solid they will likely do an insurance claim. Most likely given my experience with bad shops in the past they'll claim it's not them and you'll have to sue them to sort it out. If the dealership agreed in #1 to put it in writing and the shop is solid they may work it out together for you.
   1. Even if the shop says "tow it here and we'll take care of it" I would not trust them without corporate putting it in writing. Also if they messed this up I wouldn't trust them to fix it.
3. Call your insurance company and see if they will assist under your comprehensive coverage.
4. Assuming 1-3 don't work...

 

[linuxgod]

BTW I recall reading recently that the 5.7 is designed to be rebuilt 3 times. First time is a light honing of the block, second time was more thorough, third was boring it out. If you have a reputable shop with experience doing a rebuild wouldn't bother me on a truck that has 160k, since the rebuild will easily go 200k which sounds like is another 10+ years of use for you. IIRC the FRM says it's a 40 hour job, so that's at least $5k labor at a dealership (though I could be remembering wrong).

That said, if the engine ran low on coolant and overheated I suspect the block is at least warped if not seized and therefore is toast and unlikely to be worth trying to rebuild.

I vaguely recall seeing used Tundra motors going for $4-5k, maybe more, in another thread recently. Then there's the labor to do the engine swap. You might get a cheaper high mileage engine but honestly if I was going through the effort why swap in a high mileage engine to save a couple grand? I know indycole did a motor swap after hydrolocking and I think the dealer bill was around $15k. An Indy shop might do it for less and you might find a cheaper motor but I would not be surprised to find it run you $8-10k minimum.

 

[04UZJ100]

BTW I recall reading recently that the 5.7 is designed to be rebuilt 3 times. First time is a light honing of the block, second time was more thorough, third was boring it out. If you have a reputable shop with experience doing a rebuild wouldn't bother me on a truck that has 160k, since the rebuild will easily go 200k which sounds like is another 10+ years of use for you. IIRC the FRM says it's a 40 hour job, so that's at least $5k labor at a dealership (though I could be remembering wrong).

That said, if the engine ran low on coolant and overheated I suspect the block is at least warped if not seized and therefore is toast and unlikely to be worth trying to rebuild.

I vaguely recall seeing used Tundra motors going for $4-5k, maybe more, in another thread recently. Then there's the labor to do the engine swap. You might get a cheaper high mileage engine but honestly if I was going through the effort why swap in a high mileage engine to save a couple grand? I know indycole did a motor swap after hydrolocking and I think the dealer bill was around $15k. An Indy shop might do it for less and you might find a cheaper motor but I would not be surprised to find it run you $8-10k minimum.

Man would love to see that white paper if you have the link. Wonder how many times the 2UZ is designed to be rebuilt? Who the hell do you trust to do it nowadays?

 

[tacoduck]

I can’t believe there is not a low coolant warning, or a red check engine light. Something to tell you that the engine is about to grenade.
Also, if the truck is leaking coolant, there should be puddles and smells and sounds that should tell you there is a problem.

My lx470 blew the radiator on a hot day a couple years ago. I could smell the coolant and see vapor coming from the front. Granted, the failure was sudden vs gradual.

Imo your truck is worth a lot more with a working engine, and should be replaced. I’d have no problem swapping a used tundra engine into that rig. I would most likely ship it home and have locals do it vs having some hack 1200 miles away do the swap. If there is an issue afterwards, you have no recourse with the installer.
Sucks for op.

 

[El Skywalker]

Maybe see what the Miami dealership would be willing to give you as a trade in?

I would then compare that to the cost of repair and base the decision on that.
Really sorry to hear about your luck...

 

[Moby]

BTW I recall reading recently that the 5.7 is designed to be rebuilt 3 times. First time is a light honing of the block, second time was more thorough, third was boring it out. If you have a reputable shop with experience doing a rebuild wouldn't bother me on a truck that has 160k, since the rebuild will easily go 200k which sounds like is another 10+ years of use for you. IIRC the FRM says it's a 40 hour job, so that's at least $5k labor at a dealership (though I could be remembering wrong).

This was certainly true of the 1FZ-FE and I wouldn't think that it would change with the 5.7

I would outsource a rebuild, but I can't recommended it generally. It takes a fair amount of knowledge (or luck) to find a rebuilder that will get you to the quality that you expect. In my cases I worked through general shops and they worked with their preferred machinist. I won't do that again. I would swap and find the machinist I preferred and then either pull the engine myself or find a shop to do it.

For most folks a good used is going to be a better bet for our engines.