To replace the motor in 2007 or not, that is the question....

Guys,
I need some advice from anyone willing to give it, even if I don't like it or you bash me for being an idiot about vehicles and engines. lol Long story short, my son's 2007 Toyota Tundra needs a new motor I'm being told. A private mechanic and a Toyota dealership have both stated this, plus new radiator and water pump. Cost to replace this engine, water pump and radiator plus fluids is approximately $7200. I'm torn between fixing it or scrapping it and taking that money and putting it towards something newer? Current miles is 195K, its 12 years old already but the rest of the truck is in nice condition, and I paid 12K for it two years ago. Its got the 5.7 V8 in it, and replacement motor has 140K on it with 90 day warranty. All other parts have a one year warranty from Toyota. I don't have the money to fix it or buy another truck either way, so I'll be borrowing from my bank. He's a full time college student, also playing football, also 9.5 hours away from us. I'm leaning towards fixing it, tell me I'm not making a mistake.... Thanks appreciate it

 

I've never had luck with vehicles post surgery (2 Hondas, engine for 1 and trans in the other). Something always feels a little off or am left hunting a little afterthought gremlin.

I'd take the money and buy him something more fuel efficient so he can come home more often.

 

You can get a sub 90k motor in the US for 4500. Labor should not be more than 1500. If the rest of the truck is good I'd do it. I replaced my transmission on my 170k 2010 with an 83k mile unit for 2k about 6 months ago, it's good as new.

Good luck.

 

Thanks so far guys, appreciate it....

 

I'll bite. What is wrong with your engine? 200k is well broke in.

 

I’m curious as to what failed with the engine? Did it overheat from a waterpump failure? Is rebuilding off the table?

 

Private mechanic told me it has no compression in 3 cylinders, and that could be coming from bad timing chain or blown head gaskets, and he also found oil in the coolant. Toyota garage said it had no compression in any of the cylinders, and that water pump was loose? Also radiator has a hole in it at top of radiator around cap? Yes, when my son called me broke down along side of road, it was steaming from under hood. About a month ago, it got hot on him but he caught it, by seeing temp gauge rising. He filled coolant tank back up and went on his way as temp went back down. This time, he was either not paying attention to temp gauge until it started steaming out from hood. once he pulled over and let it cool down, it never started again? I should have dealt with it last time it got hot, shame on me.

Also, I'm waiting on a call back from the Toyota tech (if they let him talk to me) as I wanted a clear diagnosis from him, and service writer was vague at best. I know he can't be 100% certain until he starts taring into it? I guess? I'm no mechanic...

 

Go here:
http://www.car-part.com/
Find a better motor. 140k is too many.

 

I will check that out, thank you. I thought so as well, I thought when a motor was re-manufactured, they had 0 miles on them? There's a difference between re-man and used obliviously.

 

Buy a Camry for $7k, or if you can swing it $10-12k will get you a really nice low miles 2013+ camry.
He is in college, why does he NEED a truck?

 

He doesn't NEED a truck, but that doesn't really matter now as he's had it for two years already and doesn't come home that often. Yes a car would be more practical for sure, only catch is he's 6'5" and weighs 280lbs. I may have to squeeze him into the Camry though..
If I don't fix it, we will definitely be getting a truck with smaller engine or a car.

 

Those numbers seem out of whack. Especially for a motor with 140K going back in. You would have 19K in something that isn't close to that in value. It's a pickle for sure. I'd find out what it's worth as it sits. It's not like this is a newer model with say a 100K on it. If you could find a motor and tranny with much less miles maybe. Still $7500 is steep. I feel for people that aren't DIY sometimes in these situations as you are at someone's mercy.

 

Son plays college football.....

 

Tough decision as your son is a big guy and it's easier for him to get in and out of the truck. If you have to keep the truck, I'd do a lot of looking for a used engine. There's salvage yards all over the US and I'm sure you can find a used 5.7 for less money. Sure, it will probably be a higher mileage engine but the point is to fix this truck as cheap as possible, right? You are already $12k into a truck that probably isn't worth $12k and now you want to fix this YUGE problem rather than cut your losses?

IMHO, my recommendation is to look for the cheapest used replacement engine you can find, buy it and get it installed and then hope your Tundra doesn't have any more problems.

Best wishes, good luck

Edit, I just did a quick search on ebay for a used engine for my 2011 and I found one for $2800

 

X2

 

You have a tough decision for sure. If the the Tundra is in otherwise good condition then try to find a decent used motor as mentioned. I took a friend to DIA several years ago. He was flying to Phoenix. We were killing a couple beers while waiting for his flight when several monstrous male humans sat down at a table next to us. The guy nearest me was wearing a red hat with a "N" on it. I stupidly said...."you must play football?" Turns out he was a linebacker for Nebraska. Got beef??? Heh...heh...

 

The rest of the truck is in what I'd say is "very good" condition. Never been wrecked, new bed-liner, leather interior and everything else working. I know the decision ultimately ends with me, as there is nobody else to help with it. I appreciate all the good advice thus far, plus he likes the truck which is why I'm leaning towards fixing it. Yes, I need to do some price shopping for a more affordable engine. I will add the dealership said the price of motor was 4500, still seem high like you all are saying.

 

Yeah, that's high. Overheating an aluminum engine ain't cool. No pun intended. But it I would check hard to see if replacing the head gaskets would work. But something should have been done after the very 1st sign of overheating before the waterpump took a dump. It was losing coolant. Sounds like some crap my wife would do

 

Well, just replace the headgasket....no reason for a new motor. That should be a $500 ish job over a couple of weekends. Radiator is $100 Going in debt to a bank right now....I wouldn't do that for anything but major medical problems. Fix the sucker rather than spending money you don't have.

 

There is a 77 mile motor for 6500 in there:
http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

 

My thoughts too. Head surfaces might need to be milled which doesn't cost much. I agree the motor can be fixed for a lot less imho.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O5l9FbwBSE

 

Dang...that's definitely low miles.

 

Yep just make sure it gets decked in case something is a little warped.

 

I just purchased a real nice 2007 Tundra With less miles for 1k and some change more than that repair price, I just did a quick local search for the 5.7 Engine with documented miles and warranty and average price is from $3500 to $4300 Full engine and for a Rebuilt short block $1850 to $2500 so you need to look around more and check engine shops in your area too that $7200 is a bit high their labor rate must be $200 an hour if that is the case I'm going back to being a Mechanic again.......... NOT

 

Thank you for all of the great input fella's, I appreciate it. I agree its high, but I'm at the mercy of the dealership I feel at this time (like I said, 9.5 hours away and not knowing anyone in the area). I found the same when doing some searching for motors, 3500-4300 on used motors. The $7200 included the prices for parts, fluids and labor which is 110/hour. I also know the dealership marks up the parts they are putting in, even I'm not that stupid. Also I'll add, they quoted me worst case, so there's always a chance when they get into it that its not as bad???

 

This is not a repair I would give to a dealership. They will use new Toyota parts for anything they want to replace ($$$), and this truck will run just fine on much cheaper aftermarket parts; e.g. the radiator. Parts expenditure will be like writing them a blank check. The size of the bill will limited only by the honesty and compassion of the technician.

Ideally, you would be able to check out the need for head gaskets before hand. But...Once you let someone start wrenching on it, you'll be committed and they know it. Even if you're willing to have the truck towed ($$$) to another cheaper mechanic for the engine swap afterwards, you'll spend several hundred checking out the head gaskets. First, I would get labor quotes from several independent mechanics on a turn-key engine swap. Have them quote labor only, you buy and supply the parts except for incidental consumables, say less than $25. No new parts, except for maybe a radiator if it's leaking.

Unfortunately, the only thing that makes any real sense in these cases (older truck in good condition, blown motor) is a DIY used engine swap. Doesn't your son have any gearhead friends that could help him with the swap? Christmas break coming up...you and he would need to get organized quick.

 

I know others will disagree but right now, with some of the lease deals available, I’d snag a 24 month / 12K miles a year Tundra lease and let him drive that. I own my 2017 outright and lease my 2019. It’ll be 150 months (assuming no repairs or maintenance of any kind... which of course isnt possible) before I’m at 292/month with my 2017. That $292 is what my sign and drive Ally lease cost me for my 2019 SR5 ORP Crewmax. And I’ll never have to pay a penny for tires or anything on the 2019. It’s about impossible to get actual cost of ownership below $300/month in the short term on anything you own outright.

 

I'm not as knowledgeable as you, but what about the lack of compression? Is that a result of the blown headgasket? Almost seems like he has bigger problems than just the H.G.

 

Couple of thoughts....

You didn't get all of the story from your son....
Like others have said, that is too much for the repairs.

In all honesty, I'd sell the truck "as is" for the most I could get out of it. Put the money toward a well maintained replacement. I've seen 2wd Tundras with around 200,000 miles for just a little more than what you're looking at in repairs.

You could also buy a used Sienna (Big enough for a BIG GUY) for about what you've in repairs. Minivan will humble a college boy. Something all of them probably need. Just my penny.