My sister thinks she needs a replacement engine for her 2002 Sienna, and is considering the dealer's quote of $2k labor and $4k engine. The j-d-m engine guy thinks $1k for a used 1mzfe engine is fair. What do y'all think? I understand some folks got a settlement due to sludge problems.

 

4k for an engine is a rip.

 

Apparently the symptoms indicate a spun rod bearing probably from a sludged up oil pump, without a tear down to confirm. I agree $4k for an engine is too much. The dealer says it's rebuilt by LKQ and comes with their 3 year, 100k miles parts and labor warranty, and is now $3,700 with $1,950 remove and replace labor. If she needs service later on, do mechanics usually honor their warranty, or demand payment from the customer and give a receipt to file a reimbursement claim with LKQ? The free replacement engine deal, from a class action lawsuit, has expired. I wonder if begging to Toyota corporate for half of the replacement bill would be a waste of time.

 

I can't see where calling to Corp would hurt anything the worst they can say is no and maybe they'll stand by what they've previously stated about the engine and replace it for you. Worth a shot IMO. 15 minutes could save you 15% on your engine replacement...

That was just horrible but sounded funny at the time..

 

Well depending if your the original owner of the car and had your vehicle serviced at the Toyota dealership you might get some price cut. If not so and you haven't taken care of the vehicle and don't have much or any service history with them your out of luck. If your going to have the motor replaced and you don't like the dealerships price go to a non dealer shop and have them do it. The pricing sounds correct from what your saying. The warranty won't be as long with a non dealer ,but if you need a motor to get back on the road that would be the better route.

 

Next time change ur oil more often and u wont have that problem. If it was me id get the new motor from the dealer. It prolly comes with a warrenty.

 

On a side note, if you wanna sell me that sludged up motor currently in the sienna, shoot me a PM!! I'm looking for one to rebuild so I can swap it into my 6th gen celica...

 

hachibill, as i noted, for $3,700 it's not a new motor. it's a rebuilt junkyard motor with a junkyard warranty, which i wonder about, having never sought repair with a warranty from an independent company instead of cash.
mr. d., there's probably a core charge for the original motor.