Mechanic Advised Me to Sell My Corolla!?! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jklivingston · 11-07-2006, 12:20 PM

I took my 1999 Corolla to a mechanic due to a break in my car's electrical circuit. (Details: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t162670.html)

After fixing the car, the mechanic advised me to sell the vehicle before it's oil rings fail (Its got 110K miles on it). He said this is a common problem with the 1.8L engine and that it would cost around $3K to fix. Is this really a common problem?

TheOtherCarolla · 11-07-2006, 12:25 PM

3k to put new rings in???

I'd say get a new mechanic.

Pineapple · 11-07-2006, 12:28 PM

3K you can swap in another engine. Oil burning is common for the ZZ family (1ZZ-FE, 2ZZ-GE).

psychocoder · 11-07-2006, 03:27 PM

$3000 for new rings??!!??!! I just rebuilt a 93 7AFE (rods, rings, pistons, valves, valve seals, valve springs, oil pump, timing belt setup,all gaskets/seals,professsional head job) and it only cost me $1045, so if he's going to charge you $3000 to change the rings you're being hosed man. But if you're willing to pay that for new rings Ill do it for $1500

stubborn1 · 11-07-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklivingston

I took my 1999 Corolla to a mechanic due to a break in my car's electrical circuit. (Details: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t162670.html)

After fixing the car, the mechanic advised me to sell the vehicle before it's oil rings fail (Its got 110K miles on it). He said this is a common problem with the 1.8L engine and that it would cost around $3K to fix. Is this really a common problem?

Why bail out at this point? You've got a 99 with 110k miles, so most of the depreciation is done. If it does start burning oil, you can always drive it into the ground or sell and take a hit on the bad engine. Selling a vehicle because a problem MAY occur is just bad advice.

My 98 has the bad rings issue. For the past 25k miles, i've been adding a quart every 800-900 miles with no other side effects. I'm on the drive it into the ground path.

freakinbox · 11-07-2006, 09:14 PM

don't listen to them lol

Fix it

jklivingston · 11-09-2006, 05:08 PM

As far as I know, it isn't leaking oil now, the mechanic just thought I should sell before it starts. I plan to keep the car as long as possible.

punter · 11-09-2006, 05:52 PM

Then just keep it, ifs its not broken don't worry

diver9000 · 11-09-2006, 08:54 PM

If its not broken than dont fix it. Not much at this point you can do to prevent the rings from leaking. If they are going to leak than they are going to leak. Dont worry about it until then, just get an idea of what you want to do if and when it happens. Until then enjoy the ride.