Gen2 3SFE with snapped connecting rod - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

KeithT · 07-10-2005, 11:15 PM

I'm helping a friend whose '91 camry left him stranded 400 miles from home. We've towed the car back and performed "exploratory surgery" today. The #1 connecting rod is in several peices lodged between the #1 piston and the crankshaft. The crankshaft is damaged, presumably from hitting peices of the broken connecting rod. There's also metal shavings throughout the oil pan. Looks like it's time to write this engine off.

I did some quick checks on the Internet and there are several places offering JDM engines. Some of them are offering a 5SFE saying that it is a bolt-in replacement for the 3SFE (after modifying the engine mount). Any hints or suggestions for buying one of these JDM engines? I checked a few of the websites and it seems that most of them have very strict warranty policies. Must be installed by a qualified tech, must swap manifolds and all sensors, must rod out radiator, install new front & rear main seals, etc. Are there any places with less strict warranty policies?

Thanks,
Keith (a BMW guy trying to help a friend with his camry)

chronoti · 07-11-2005, 01:32 AM

the 5s isnt all drop and play. you need a diffrent ecu and wiring harnest. you have better luck checking the condition of the block and it's good go to a junk yard and pull what you need. if the block isnt good your still looking to be ahead pulling a new engine from a junk yard.

white90dx · 07-11-2005, 03:32 AM

The 3s-fe is the only bolt-in motor for a care equiped with a 3s-fe.

You should be able to pick up a JDM 3s-fe for under $300. If you are in a state that checks emissions, it won't be legal, but otherwise you are good-to go.

Any idea why the rod went? I wouldn't expect that on a stock motor... My 3s-fe is turbocharged and I haven't broken a rod yet.

-Charlie

500KCamry · 07-11-2005, 04:17 AM

Never heard of that kind of damage before. Wonder why?

KeithT · 07-11-2005, 04:51 PM

I don't know the source of the problem, but it may have involved low oil. He said he tried adding some after the car died because it was low. I don't know if the low oil light was on or not, or if the low oil came before or after the engine failure.
There was something else that seemed weird to me. There was almost no oil puddled anywhere on top of the head. I'm used to seeing small puddles of oil in the nooks and crannies on top of the head. This was practically dry. After dropping the oil pan, the #2 rod end was dry also, but #3 and #4 had oil drops on them. I'm thinking that maybe an oil passage has been blocked, possibly from the sludge buildup.

Keith

25psi · 07-11-2005, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithT

I don't know the source of the problem, but it may have involved low oil. He said he tried adding some after the car died because it was low. I don't know if the low oil light was on or not, or if the low oil came before or after the engine failure.
There was something else that seemed weird to me. There was almost no oil puddled anywhere on top of the head. I'm used to seeing small puddles of oil in the nooks and crannies on top of the head. This was practically dry. After dropping the oil pan, the #2 rod end was dry also, but #3 and #4 had oil drops on them. I'm thinking that maybe an oil passage has been blocked, possibly from the sludge buildup.

Keith

Low oil will toast bearings but I don't know about snapping rods.