Wrong engine replaced???

[tobyturtle]

Hello all. I am a newbie to this forum but I have been reading posts here for several months now. This shall be my first forum posting. I drive a 1996 Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder by the way.

I had a blown engine replaced due to a poorly done axle replacement job. Apparently, when they drained the oil from taking out the axle, they failed to replace it when the put the new one in. Their fault.

Anyway, the new engine seems to be lacking in power/throttle response and makes much more noise and vibration compared to my old one. Especially noticable is when it is around the 2000-3000 RPM range. I was told that it was a JDM engine with less than 30,000 miles. From another post that I had read, I am afraid that they replaced my 2.2L 5SFE engine with a smaller 2.0L 3SFE engine without my knowledge or consent. Physically, appearance-wise, my original engine was more of a silver/aluminum color. The replacement appears grayish-black?

My question is this...how do I go about finding out what engine they put into my car? Is there a certain place to look for it stamped on the engine itself? Photos or pictures would help immensely. Also, what are my legal options if they did indeed try to substitute an inferior engine as a replacement without my knowledge or consent? It has been less than two weeks since this was completed. Thanks.

[Rdizzle]

I don't think the 3s engine would fit correctly on the 5s engine mounts. I think they just gave you a crappy engine to "shut you up." The color may just be because it is so old and crappy. And somewhere on the engine should be a a stamp that tells you the engine type. Just go to a different shop, tell them to make the engine run perfect and have them bill the shop that installed it. Sorry man.

[shingouki808]

Here's a pic of the 3sfe. Do a comparison between this and the engine you got.

[bmxr4life87]

the 3sfe is almost impossible to get to the oil filter without burning your hand on the manifold, but the 5sfe has a manifold that sticks out about 6in from the block and then points down!

[islandboy57]

What did the shop say when you went back to explain what was going on with your car after the replacement?

[eyeball96]

Why did they drain the oil to replace the axels?? My mechanic didn't when the axels were replaced on my 96!....seems they didn't know WTF they were doing in the first place!

"Sue them some a bitches"! seems they can't replace engines any better than they do axels

[fat_bastard]

OK, The JDM replacement you got most likely is a 3S. I work in a salvage yard/locator and we deal with these all the time. A JDM 3S will bolt directly into place of a 5S but costs about half the price. These engines have between 35000 and 40000 miles on them. When we quote these to people we make sure to tell them that it is a 2.0 replacement. I think I have to agree with eyeball. time to break out the lawyers, but first make sure you didn't sign anything saying 2.0 replacement on it

[Klutch]

Originally Posted by fat_bastard

but first make sure you didn't sign anything saying 2.0 replacement on it

Wouldn't matter much, it'd be easy to convince a jury that he didn't understand the tech jargon about what they were doing. You'd EASILY win such a case. I guarantee their lawyer would immediately tell them to make it right as they don't have a prayer. Every potential juror in the world has been screwed but a mechanic shop at one time or another and a unbias jury would be impossible...

[fat_bastard]

The law is too important to leave up to juries

Name the movie and you get a cookie.

Still though I'd approach the manager of the shop and see if they'll fix it first. (Make it look like you tried)

[toyota43]

If it lacks power the timing belt may not be installed correctly. The reason it seems to shake more is the JDM 2.0 replacement may not have a balance shaft. Power wise there is not much difference between the two engines and with proper care shold hold up well.It sounds more like a problem with who installed the engine than the engine itself.

[fat_bastard]

I think the issue is that he was given a certain item as a liability replacement and it was not identical to the original as he was told. Granted, from the aspect of whether or not it matters in power and reliability, it makes no difference, but he would be in a world of hurt if he ever sold that car as-is without knowing that the engine was different and the buyer found out that it is the incorect engine. He should look into this to cover his own ass if not just because they f****d up.

[tobyturtle]

Thanks for all the replies, people!

While true that reliability and power difference between the two engines is not a critical factor, I am particularly concerned at the possibility that they destroyed my perfectly well-maintained engine through their negligence, then replaced it with an inferior one. One that, although a compatible fit in the mounts, is lacking balance shafts that the original 2.2L 5SFE had.

I just do not want any unnecessary vibration to the chassis resulting in the structural integrity diminishing at an accelerated rate. Wow. That was a lot of words.

Anyway, I think I may just take it to the local Toyota dealership and have them find out what engine it is as I cannot find where it is stamped on the engine. Actually, where it SHOULD say "2.0 16 Valve" on the 3SFE or "16 Valve" as it is definitely on the 5SFE engine in my neighbor's 96 Camry and my original, my replacement engine just has it filed off and it is just blank. I believe that externally appearance-wise, the 2.0L 3SFE and 2.2L 5SFE are identical except for the bore and stroke and the balance shafts. That is why I may need some outside help with this one.

Just need as much "ammo" and facts as I can get before I go ahead and confront the shop with any issues. Also, on the work order that I signed, it clearly states that a 2.2L engine was being put in. Locked and loaded.

[toyomoho]

My 1995 5SFE has "5S" stamped in large letters on the block. The location is on the side of engine block, below the coolant outlet on the head. The intake manifold plenum also appears longer then the 3FSE photo provided a group member. About 13 inches long by 4 inches diameter. It has in very large letters "2200."

If your engine really is the wrong one, I suggest you first determine if the shop that worked on the car understood this. Legal action using a lawyer is extremely expensive! And many courts will require the service provider be given a chance to make things right first.. As such I would attempt to work with the shop first before going to court. Make a note book of all your conversations (date/time), paperwork, etc for referance if/when you do seek legal action.

[toyomoho]

The 5SFE and 3SFE engine blocks have the prefix 5S and 3S in front of their serial numbers.

[DAMON]

snap a pic and post it up, we could tell you which it is im sure