First post, crappy reason

[serialtoyotaguy]

New guy here, with my eighth Toyota and a big problem.

I've gotten lots of info from this forum in 9 years of owning my 98 Avalon XLS, and I really have appreciated being able to find others with the same (few) problems and be able to fix them. Thanks to everybody. But...

Yesterday, coming back from a 100-mile trip, the oil light flashed then stayed on, and as I cut the engine off, I heard the unmistakable sound of a bad bearing starting to thump. I was able to coast the last block home.

In 219,698 miles, it's never let me down, and it got me back home this time too. But the engine's gone, and I don't know what to do.

I've priced a guaranteed used engine, installed, for $2,250, but the Avalon needs another $1500 in age-related repairs, like suspension bushings and a moaning rear hub bearing.

But I hate to junk it for next to nothing -- it's been the best car I've owned, even with its little quirks.

But I really need a Tacoma, or a T100...

So I'm not sure if I'm looking for sympathy, suggestions or the Engine Fairy to make it all better, but I feel better for sharing.

What do you guys suggest?

[zythr]

Originally Posted by serialtoyotaguy

New guy here, with my eighth Toyota and a big problem.

I've gotten lots of info from this forum in 9 years of owning my 98 Avalon XLS, and I really have appreciated being able to find others with the same (few) problems and be able to fix them. Thanks to everybody. But...

Yesterday, coming back from a 100-mile trip, the oil light flashed then stayed on, and as I cut the engine off, I heard the unmistakable sound of a bad bearing starting to thump. I was able to coast the last block home.

In 219,698 miles, it's never let me down, and it got me back home this time too. But the engine's gone, and I don't know what to do.

I've priced a guaranteed used engine, installed, for $2,250, but the Avalon needs another $1500 in age-related repairs, like suspension bushings and a moaning rear hub bearing.

But I hate to junk it for next to nothing -- it's been the best car I've owned, even with its little quirks.

But I really need a Tacoma, or a T100...

So I'm not sure if I'm looking for sympathy, suggestions or the Engine Fairy to make it all better, but I feel better for sharing.

What do you guys suggest?

You've answered your question. You're questioning spending probably a large sum of money on a 13 soon to be 14 year old car, probably means you want to junk it and get something else.

[ottogaus]

Sorry to hear of your engine trouble serialtoyotaguy. I am in similar situation with a 98 XLS, 215k miles that I have owned for about 10 years. Also located in NE Georgia. Except I don't have an engine problem. What I am curious to know is the exact nature of the engine failure and what I can do, if anything, to prevent it from happenning to my "baby". Thanks in advance.

[serialtoyotaguy]

Otto, I'm pretty sure it's the old sludging problems our cars are infamous for. I've been fighting it with frequent oil changes, but I've always used dino oil, and I probably should have been using synthetic. It only takes one blob of sludge to block a critical oil passageway, kinda like a stroke.

I was just being a tightwad, and it came back to bite me.

The rest of the car is so good, and I just put new tires on it. I just hate to sell it for cheap to the junk man. I'm thinking about just parting it out to my fellow Avalon fans -- has anybody done that?

At least parts of it would go to a good home. Lord, I feel like a pet has died.

Kip

[Jigg007]

As much as I love and adore my car, if it needed $4000 off the batt to become road worthy again, I'd probably be parting it out to everyone. I mean, who wouldnt want super customa and propriety avalon parts? Though, I'd die a lot on the inside. A lot.

...
I wouldn't be able to sleep for weeks!


But dont get me wrong, My Avalon has seen over $5000 worth of repairs go into it thoughout my ownership. Maybe $7-8k if you count body work! If It just needed a new engine, and you really like the car, then I'd go the repair route.


(dino oil eh? As long as the used oil coming out of the engine is relativity clean, I dont see much concern.)

[ottogaus]

Kip, I know exactly what you mean and how you feel. Good analogy with the pet dieing. Let me know if you decide to part it out or what you end up doing. Out of curiosity, in which town do you live? (Just wondering how close your parts would be.)

[serialtoyotaguy]

Well, it ain't easy, but I've decided to offer my Avalon parts to you guys. It took a while, but I'd rather send a stripped carcass to the junkyard.

So I'm located in Washington, Georgia, which is Wilkes County. It's halfway between Athens and Augusta on Hwy 78. Less than 2 hours from ATL.

All my Avalon's interior trim is in great shape, the "wood" looks like new, all the windows, locks, and sunroof work fine. The climate control doesn't change the fan speed anymore, but the AC works fine otherwise.

The tires aren't even 2,000 miles old -- Kumho Solus. There's a bit of rash on one rim, other three are nearly perfect.

It's a Georgia car, so there's no rust, and all body panels are unbent except for a small dimple in the trunk lid and rash on the back bumper cover.

What a great car. But it's time I guess.

Kip

[ottogaus]

Kip, my day will come as well. Nice of you to offer parts. Can you tell me the paint color and also interior color? I probably need new struts. What shape are yours in and how old are they??

[serialtoyotaguy]

My exterior is champagne and the leather is ash -- Toyota talk for metallic tan and tan. My struts have 100 k on them, so they're not worth messing with, I'm thinking. The strut mounts aren't making noise yet, though.