Rebuild or Used Engine?

[RoughOne]

I just recently had my starter replaced by a local mechanic who let his apprentice do the whole job unsupervised. I was in the waiting room watching. After reassembly my LX470 sounds like crap. He does not want to take responsibility.
I was told by another shop that a lifter is out of adjustment and that the whole top end needs to be redone. At this point considering the mileage they suggested replacing with a used engine.
I have gathered $3500 this month. I was quoted $1100 for a used 120k engine and another $2000 parts and labor.
Should I go this route or can I get it rebuilt for less? My engine was running flawless before with 278k on the dial.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Take it to a reputable independent land cruiser or Toyota-specific shop before you do anything else.

 

[pocarles]

Take it to a reputable independent land cruiser or Toyota-specific shop before you do anything else.

That's something I would love to do too... but Palm Beach County in Florida doesn't seem to have any

 

[94SRUNNER]

Several Cruiser specific shops in California depending on where you are. If you let us know your city, we can help direct you to a reputable shop.

 

[RoughOne]

Take it to a reputable independent land cruiser or Toyota-specific shop before

Several Cruiser specific shops in California depending on where you are. If you let us know your city, we can help direct you to a reputable shop.

Thank you, I went ahead and emailed MudRak cruisers which is not far from here.

 

[ChadHahn]

Take it to the place you found and ask them if the problem could be caused by having the starter replaced. If they think that that could be the cause, take the guy who screwed it up to small claims court.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

FYI, one potential problem that can occur from doing the starter job, which could wreak havoc on the engine, is knocking debris or dropping something down one of the intake ports. Considering an apprentice did the job, he/she probably didn’t know about this risk and just yanked the intake off.

Below is an example, albeit rather extreme, of what could be hiding underneath and easily fall into one of the ports. This is from a buddy’s 100 when I did the starter, valve cover gaskets, and timing belt/water pump jobs for him.

 

[Mike NXP]

FYI, one potential problem that can occur from doing the starter job, which could wreak havoc on the engine, is knocking debris or dropping something down one of the intake ports. Considering an apprentice did the job, he/she probably didn’t know about this risk and just yanked the intake off.

Below is an example, albeit rather extreme, of what could be hiding underneath and easily fall into one of the ports. This is from a buddy’s 100 when I did the starter, valve cover gaskets, and timing belt/water pump jobs for him.

View attachment 2787223

Wow thats brutal,

PSA : Every now ands then shine a light into all the gaps around the intake to inspect. Once a year or so a mouse likes to make a home in mine. A long grabber tool is a perfect way to keep that area clean without any disassembly.


Not sure what could have caused OP's problem. Will need to narrow down the symptoms a bit more to see what's going on

 

[RoughOne]

Here is what I received from Gary at MudRak Solid advice unlike what I've been hearing from other shops:

sorry to hear about your problems with another shop. something was overlooked. injector plug due to brittle broken clips .or reuse of manifold gaskets. or a coil just gave out after the work was done.
this will be ### plus parts. gaskets ,injector plug or plugs.possible coil or two. if just coils then the job will much less.
we have an opening on the oct 13th . of course this can change after diagnostic.
Gary

 

[ih8everything]

Gary and Mudrak are great! I can't recommend them enough. What he mentioned is very much a possibility, as is foreign material going into the intake like @JunkCrzr89 mentioned.

 

[Berkut10r]

That's something I would love to do too... but Palm Beach County in Florida doesn't seem to have any

Hey mate,

If you have any family in Tampa, Toy House rules West Florida.

 

[J1000]

It could be as simple as a small vacuum leak in the intake gasket or an unattached hose causing it to run like crap and sound awful or it could be much worse but either way it's probably a little premature to be pricing out new engines.

 

[pocarles]

Hey mate,

If you have any family in Tampa, Toy House rules West Florida.

Tampa is not close but it’s good to hear we have an option there. Thank you for sharing.

 

[RoughOne]

It could be as simple as a small vacuum leak in the intake gasket or an unattached hose causing it to run like crap and sound awful or it could be much worse but either way it's probably a little premature to be pricing out new engines.

From what I was told by 2 mechanics it is a Lifter. The engine I had on hold at the recycling yard seems to have been sold. Talked to several local shops yesterday, will call some more today. Really can't wait another month without transportation.

 

[J1000]

From what I was told by 2 mechanics it is a Lifter. The engine I had on hold at the recycling yard seems to have been sold. Talked to several local shops yesterday, will call some more today. Really can't wait another month without transportation.

If you talked to them over the phone and they pictured an American V8 engine maybe they thought that. But on the 2UZ the lifter is like the last thing that could be affected by a screw up on this job. Maybe a scored cylinder or bent valve but the lifters, no.

On an American pushrod V8 when you pull the intake manifold the lifters are exposed and potentially could be screwed up but on the 2UZ when the intake manifold is removed only the intake ports are exposed. The valvetrain is not.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

From what I was told by 2 mechanics it is a Lifter. The engine I had on hold at the recycling yard seems to have been sold. Talked to several local shops yesterday, will call some more today. Really can't wait another month without transportation.

What noise is it making? Very unlikely it’s a lifter. But Even if it is a lifter, you don’t need a an entire engine replacement to fix that…

 

[RoughOne]

Can I upload a small video? I would like for everyone to listen.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Can I upload a small video? I would like for everyone to listen.

Please do.

 

[kidphc]

The PO of the hundy I bought said his son (a mechanic at a dealer) bought a hundy from the dealer. Apparently, some one changed the starter and dropped a screw (unknowingly) down into the motor. Almost sounds the same.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Can I upload a small video? I would like for everyone to listen.

Sometimes videos are a bit tricky. You can always upload it to Youtube and provide a link.