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I posted a while back about a 99 Toyota Camry CE with EGR issues. Got that taken care of along with some other things that set me back about $600 on a car I paid $2900 for. I bought it in another state, drove it 1600 miles back home, and two days later, the engine craps out. It isn't worth the money they're asking to rebuild it. The car BBs at less than $3000 and I'm already $3500 in. If I sell it, I can't imagine what I would get for it with a blown engine.
1. How do you know that the engine is shot? Who has given you that diagnosis?
2. If it actually is a blown/ruined engine, and you choose to not rebuild it, you MIGHT get $1,000 out of the car. Advertise it on Craigslist and see what happens.
I took it to a shop, they said the engine was shot. How can one tell it is though, without actually going in the engine itself?
A good mechanic at a good shop will explain to you, in detail, what is wrong with the engine - assuming he knows. If he suspects "this or that" but cannot tell unless he tears the engine down, he should tell you that as well. Because it is highly likely that you won't really understand what he's saying, he should put it in writing as well
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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You have to determine what someone can get a used engine for at the wreckers in your area, plus the cost of the swap. The difference between that and BB is about what you can expect to get for it. For example, if engines are available for $600, and the local labor rate is $1,400 to do a swap, you may get $1,000 for it as is. That would be adjusted up/down based on the condition of body, interior, suspension etc.
A good mechanic at a good shop will explain to you, in detail, what is wrong with the engine - assuming he knows. If he suspects "this or that" but cannot tell unless he tears the engine down, he should tell you that as well. Because it is highly likely that you won't really understand what he's saying, he should put it in writing as well
Did the shop give you specific details?
He didn't say what was wrong specifically. He turned the car on, popped the hood, leaned in and listened, checked a few things, had a co worker come over and check and they both agreed the engine was done. They don't do engines, so I would have to take it somewhere else.
He didn't say what was wrong specifically. He turned the car on, popped the hood, leaned in and listened, checked a few things, had a co worker come over and check and they both agreed the engine was done. They don't do engines, so I would have to take it somewhere else.
Okay yeah, you need to take it somewhere else - at least for another opinion. The fact that these guys don't do engines is a pretty good hint that they might just be blowing smoke.
Who knows, you might get luck and find out that it's something minor. Here's hoping!
Okay yeah, you need to take it somewhere else - at least for another opinion. The fact that these guys don't do engines is a pretty good hint that they might just be blowing smoke.
Who knows, you might get luck and find out that it's something minor. Here's hoping!
IF it's a V6 and it slipped the timing belt, it is an interference engine and is toast. If it's knocking, that's most likely the issue. But if you can get someone else to take a look at it at no cost, I'd still have it looked at. Never know, might be something cheap.
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