Where to buy 2uzfe (11 Viewers)

[wickedStoic]

Hello all,

I have been using this forum for a while now as a source for info for a 1993 fzj80.
Recently decided to upgrade to a 2000 lx470. Seemed to be in great shape, 112,000 miles, had it checked out, and talked to the lexus dealer about an inspection they did on it prior to me having it checked out. No big issues found from either inspection.
A week after buying it, the #4 piston broke; I guess it chipped, or a chunk broke off. This is very surprising and frustrating because of the relatively low miles, and now needs a new motor.

Does anyone know where I could get one at a good price out west? Or if there are other less expensive options, I am all ears. I am handy, and try do do my own work on vehicles, but not a mechanic, and have never rebuilt a motor.
I am in Boise, ID.
Also, would a 2003 and newer 2uz with the more power and 5 speed tranny swap in with no modifications?

Thanks.

 

[timer00]

Wow, talk about bad luck, did you actually buy from a Lexus dealer or just have it checked out there?
If bought from a dealer should have usually got a small limited powertrain warranty, I know I got a 30 day one on my 99 LS400 I bought years back from a Lexus dealer though lots of times nowadays if its too old they just shoot them off "AS IS"

 

[hankinid]

I would start by checking with LTS in Boise... ltsmotors.com.

It's at 507 North Partridge Place, Boise, ID 83713. I've never used them but they come well recommended. 10%-off coupon on their website.

I've also had outstanding service, reasonable pricing, and zero BS from Heritage Auto in Meridian, near where Linder crosses Franklin. I've seen a number of Cruisers and LX's in there and they've done wonderful work on 's Ram diesel horse-hauler.

I've read here that Tundra long blocks can be swapped. Did you get the truck from Peterson or Tom Scott??...I don't think my testicles would be large enough to call them for a price on a replacement engine.

If you decide to diy it, I'm in Kuna and have some time and tools. Email me from here if you have questions or just want to commiserate.

Steve

 

[brosama]

Can't help you on sources. But, one option is, if you don't mind getting a little dirty, you could pull the motor yourself and take it in to get rebuilt (or swap in a long block). It'll save you a ton on labor.

Whatever you do, try to use OEM parts and specs to the extent possible.

Good luck!

 

[wickedStoic]

I did not get it from a Lexus dealer and there is no warranty. I did not have it checked at the dealer, it was done prior to me, but I called them and gave them the VIN number and talked to them about the history, and the prior inspection.
It is at the place that originally checked it out for me. They are not finding much for replacement used motors near by and I am trying to explore all my options. They did say they will work with me on labor, though, and I am going to try to help wrench on it if they will let me. I am mechanically inclined and try to do most of my own work (did a timing belt/water pump on an LS400), but don't have the tools or expertise for a motor rebuild or swap.
Really strange, the rest of the motor looks new; no varnish or anything in the head. Just a chunk missing from the top of the piston.
Apparently having someone rebuild the whole motor is more expensive than it is worth, and a used motor may be the best option. I would think it would be extremely unlikely that I get 2 lemonized 2uzfe in a row.

Can just that one cylinder be reworked and the piston replaced, or do they all need to be done? The cylinder does not have bad scoring, but it does not look perfectly smooth like the others, either.
Is a rebuilt motor as reliable as an original with around 100,000?

Thanks for the responses.

 

[scottryana]

www.car-parts.com - a lot of salvage yards post on there

Spalding up in Spokane Washington could be a good bet cheap shipping.

If you can find a used motor with 100,000 I would rather use that than a rebuild. Rebuild is going to depend a lot on if the local tech knows what he is doing. Given the fact not a lot of these probably get rebuilt, I don't trust many people.

 

[wickedStoic]

I would agree with that. It would probably be cheaper and easier to get a used one.
It seems to be difficult to find these used, though, and then pulling a few things apart and check compression and stuff to make sure it is good to go before you put it in... The problem with non-local ones is if I get it and it is crappy and varnished inside, or low compression, have to pay send it back, too.

So the update is that they will pull the motor, send the short block to a machine shop to be rebuilt with new pistons/rings, etc, and send the heads to be machined, whatever that entails, and put it all back together for about $5000. This would basically be a rebuilt short block and existing rest of the motor.
Does that seem high?

 

[ElHefe]

There are a ton on car-parts.com with low mileage. Worth a shot.

 

[wickedStoic]

I looked on car-part.com and there are some options within 800 miles. The search specifies "thru 4/00" or "after 5/00".
Does anyone know what the difference might be?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[scottryana]

A later model 2003+ with more power and 5 speed will not direct swap, you would have to get the ECM and TCM computers and see if there were wiring changes, etc. Don't remember off of the top of my head when they went to drive by wire on the 2UZ maybe that is the 5/00 change? I thought that was in 2004 though.

 

[brosama]

So the update is that they will pull the motor, send the short block to a machine shop to be rebuilt with new pistons/rings, etc, and send the heads to be machined, whatever that entails, and put it all back together for about $5000. This would basically be a rebuilt short block and existing rest of the motor.
Does that seem high?

The price will be relevant to other shops in your area. When you account for the amount of work all that is, it seems fair. But, I'm no expert so I could be way off.

Questions to think about: is it a reputable shop that only outputs high quality work they stand behind? What kind of parts do they use? Do they have experience with toyota motors?

If cost is an issue you could probably cut a huge portion of that if you pulled the motor yourself, took it to the shop, then dropped it back in. You seem confident and willing to get your hands dirty (timing belt, etc.). Consider it, at least.

 

[Bombdefuzer]

Hello all,

I have been using this forum for a while now as a source for info for a 1993 fzj80.
Recently decided to upgrade to a 2000 lx470. Seemed to be in great shape, 112,000 miles, had it checked out, and talked to the lexus dealer about an inspection they did on it prior to me having it checked out. No big issues found from either inspection.
A week after buying it, the #4 piston broke; I guess it chipped, or a chunk broke off. This is very surprising and frustrating because of the relatively low miles, and now needs a new motor.

Does anyone know where I could get one at a good price out west? Or if there are other less expensive options, I am all ears. I am handy, and try do do my own work on vehicles, but not a mechanic, and have never rebuilt a motor.
I am in Boise, ID.
Also, would a 2003 and newer 2uz with the more power and 5 speed tranny swap in with no modifications?

Thanks.

You should look at a 1uz. Smaller, lighter, and plenty in the junk yards.

 

[wickedStoic]

Will a 1uz bolt up? Probably hard to find a low mileage one, but they are about 1500 cheaper than a 2uz, and non-interference.
What about power of 4.0 vs 4.7?

 

[scottryana]

Won't bolt up, electronics won't be the same, different water pump as the 1UZ's had electric fans so no way to bolt on a mechanical fan, 1UZ makes less torque than a 2UZ because of the shorter stroke.

Toyota had the 1UZ available and they didn't use it instead making the 2UZ for a reason.

 

[Bombdefuzer]

I'm sorry, for some reason I thought you were putting it in an FJ40. I wouldn't put a 1uz in an 80 series.

 

[yotasavg]

I'm sorry, for some reason I thought you were putting it in an FJ40. I wouldn't put a 1uz in an 80 series.

100 series...

 

[Maltrix]

I looked on car-part.com and there are some options within 800 miles. The search specifies "thru 4/00" or "after 5/00".
Does anyone know what the difference might be?

Thanks for all the responses.

Does anyone have an answer for the differences? Been trying to find out for myself but can't seem to find anything

 

[2001LC]

Not heard of this happening before.
I'd sure like to see pictures of your piston and cylinder?
Did it have new spark plugs or factory originals still in, or compression test done prior to this?
I ask because as I can only think of two reasons this would happen on engine with 112K miles. Red-lined or something fell in cylinder #4 while spark plugs out.

There have been numerous post in mud concerning engine swap. The consensus has been it's easier to swap, then change a head gasket. If you can do a T-belt job you can DIY a swap. Just rent a engine hoist.

The 4.7 2uzfe was used in many Toyota's & Lexus', not just 100 series. Just don't buy a VVTi engine or you'll need to change-out ECU at minimum. Check vin for maintenance history, look for regular oil changes, coolant flushes and low millage. I'll assume your head at #4 was damaged, so buy long block (block with heads). You'll use many bolt on parts from your old engine like T-Body, fuel rail, injectors, coils, intake & exhaust manifolds, alternator, compressor and PS pump.

You should be able to find for ~$1K plus do a T-belt job and tool rental, and you'll be all-in for ~$1,500.