Due to lack of changing the oil ( 30,000 miles ) ive blown my engine. I know very stupid thing to do but i did it. Now im planning on finding one out of a wrecking yard or possibly an auction but im not sure if i want to do the swap myself. Ive done engine swaps before but never a front wheel drive. Not sure if i can pull the engine from the top or if i have to drop it out from the bottom. Car still runs but its knocking really bad. Any info on procedure or just any warnings or advice would be great.
2008 Toyota Corolla S, 4cylinder, 5speed manual transmission. Everything stock. Thanks again.
I have never done this before. My buddy works at a repair garage and he says that he has done one and he pulled the engine from the top.
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
Engine can be dropped from below or plucked from above - depends on the shops experience. On past transverse engines - I've done it both ways. Typically "faster" to pull an engine from above, but generally less stuff to remove when you drop it from below - example, some of the A/C plumbing, you can avoid disconnecting the lines (have to suspend the plumbing in the mean time - won't need to use that SST to disconnect the lines and evacuate the system properly).
Depending on what is wrong with the engine - there is a chance you can rebuilt it in place. Saves a lot of headache with missing electrical connections, etc. You know what is wrong with the engine - rod knock, blew a rod through the block, scored the cylinders? Planning on swapping the engine only - considered rebuilding it?
Toyota told me i needed a new engine. No suprise there. It started out sounding like the valves were tapping pretty good. Lasted for a few weeks like that because i didnt have the nine grand toyota wanted for a new engine. Then on my way to work i lost all accleration and the engine died. Now when i start it, which i try not to, it sounds like a rod knocking. Sounds horrible but what do i expect huh. Cant really get mad about it, all i can do is laugh. Thanks again for the input and even your 2 cents Habs.
Last edited by Wilscojeff; 03-17-2010 at 10:14 PM.
Given how much room you have in an 03-08 Corolla, your best choice is to pull it from above. I have seen these motors go for about $800-$1400 depending on where you look. You have to realize that in the end, most if not all 4-cyl engines are the same. If you have done it before, it'd be cheaper to do it yourself. The 1ZZ timing chain system is really easy to do. If anything try to look for a short block to minimize expenses and put your head (assuming its good) on the new short block.
Other then that, seeing it from a car lover point of view... that was really dumb of you to not change your oil for 30k miles. It is one of the simplest and cheapest maintenance items you can do for your car. I don't know if you lost a bet or something, but to do that on an 08 Corolla is pure stupidity. When my buddy asked me if he should use synthetic oil so he can skip out on his oil change for his 2004 Corolla for "15000 miles," I told him hes an idiot. I buy Toyota oil filter and Toyota oil for less then $20 and do it every 4000 miles and my car hums like it just came out of factory. If anyone learns a lesson from this... just take care of your car. Waste of a car, waste of money, and its going to be waste of time that all could have been spent doing something else.
Hopefully the $9000 Toyota wanted for the engine is a brand new engine installed, which is still ridiculously overpriced... Since you can buy a used 03-05 Corolla with about 80-150k miles for around or less then $9000.
Another "knocking" sound could be your timing components, but it is usually a "tapping" sound. The timing chain guide(s) could have snapped... or tensioner could have gave out. But you said it still "runs." So maybe bad rod or timing chain guide.
Im aware it was stupid that is why i put that in the original post. But thanks for your two cents anyway. Its a rod for sure, im positive of that. I found one through a local wrecking yard with 66k on it for 1100 bucks. They compression tested it and said it was at 150psi. Not sure what stock is and if that is still in good range.
Holy Crap 30,000 without an oil change ! ? That Is impressive ! Says alot about Toyota's Engine For Sure.In my experience with pulling transverse motors it can be done both ways but from the top with trans attached is the easiest way Ive found.I don't know where you are going to get your motor but there is a place in Chico,Ca Called Rising Sun and they do Only Japanese Doc Motors with 30,000 miles on them from $800 to $1500 depending on what is on the blocks and they will ship right to your door.
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