Engine has the death rattle *UPDATE* Car's dead

[Tommy]

started it up yesterday, real bad knock, sounds like its coming from the #4 piston. Dont know what's caused it, but its bad. Pulled the dipstick, i can see bits of metal.

i guess thats all, dont know what else i can do with it. im really not down for putting another engine in it. I dont know what to do, i thought it was dead a few months ago with the transmission slipping, but that stopped so we called off the funeral, but now with this, it looks pretty terminal.

Guess its time to go pick up an auto trader and find a new car.

[REAPER STRAIN]

That sucks ass. You dont have any idea how this happened? I would have complete renal failure if my carmy was running fine last night and then decided to have a knock in the engine the next morning. I say go for the engine change though. If you are mechanically inclined (or know ppl) and can get your hands on a good used engine go for it. It a hell of a lot cheaper than buying another car. And they say the devil you know is better than the devil you dont. Unless you are fed up with your car and have been planning (and saving) to make that switch for a while.

[BullMarket]

Sorry to hear. I hope I never have to hear mine breath her last breath. You *better* pull that gauge cluster

BULLMKT

[88 LE]

Sounds like it chewed up a bearing.

Remove the oil pan, rod caps, main caps, and inspect the damage.

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by REAPER STRAIN

That sucks ass. You dont have any idea how this happened? I would have complete renal failure if my carmy was running fine last night and then decided to have a knock in the engine the next morning. I say go for the engine change though. If you are mechanically inclined (or know ppl) and can get your hands on a good used engine go for it. It a hell of a lot cheaper than buying another car. And they say the devil you know is better than the devil you dont. Unless you are fed up with your car and have been planning (and saving) to make that switch for a while.

Im really sick of this car, like more than you have any idea. I already replaced the engine last year, about october or so. Its only had about 20k miles since then.


88 LE, how hard is it to replace the bearings? how much of the bottom end needs to come out?

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Tommy

88 LE, how hard is it to replace the bearings? how much of the bottom end needs to come out?

Depends how bad the damage is.

If the crank is damaged, your gunna have to pull the motor.

And if a rod is damaged, you can pull the cylinder head and knock the rod + piston out through the top.


For now I would remove the oil pan, unbolt the rod/main caps, and inspect.

This is what you'll be looking at.


Piston, rod, rod cap, and nuts:




Rod cap. Bearing has been removed:




Bottom of the rod (big end). Bearing has been removed:




Bottom of the block, crank, and main caps. Rods have been removed:

[Tommy]

I might do that tonight, dont know why, but whatever. Would be good to know whats going on. I really dont want to fix it, expecially if it requires taking the engine out or the head. If i could just replace the bearings, i would, but doesnt sound like there's a possiblity that thats all the damage thats been done.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Tommy

If i could just replace the bearings, i would, but doesnt sound like there's a possiblity that thats all the damage thats been done.

Well if a bearing(s) is spun (sounds like it from your description (bad knocking sound)). Either a rod(s) and/or crank is damaged.


If the crank is damaged, you can have it machined. But that depends on how bad the damage is. Which requires that you pull the motor, remove the crank, and bring it to a machine shop.

The crank will need to be balanced too. So if thats the case, you might as well buy another used 3S-FE.


If a rod is damaged, your looking at a new rod and balance the crank.

[Tommy]

well, my dad doesnt want me to touch it. We're gonna have it towed to his mechanic tomorrow morning, and if he wants more than about $1500, the cars goin to the junk yard.

I know its gonna cost more than that to have a new engine put in, you just have to understand my dad is....well, he's just my dad. If its dead (which i know it is) Im gonna take the money it would have cost and put it down on a used car.

[88 LE]

Can you even buy a new 3S-FE? The correct one for your car.

Cos I'm thinking a new 3S-FE would be one for something like a Rav 4. Which is not the same 3S-FE gen 2 Camrys came with.

You could buy a rebuilt one, but thats going to cost quite a bit.


Did your used 3S-FE come with a warranty at all?

[Tommy]

i didnt mean a NEW new 3SFE, i meant like a rebuilt on or another JDM one.

The JDM one i put in last year had a 6 month warranty, so thats been expired for a while.

[Tommy]

she's gone....time of death - 8:00am 8-17-2005

may she rest in peice.


parts going up for sale shortly, stay tuned.

[88 LE]

^ That sucks. Another gen 2 bites the dust.

Hopefully the digital gauge cluster will find another good home. I didn't make up that wiring chart for nothing.

[Your Uncle Moe]

Aw man, is this the same one with the digital dash??

[BullMarket]

Originally Posted by BullMarket

You *better* pull that gauge cluster

BULLMKT