Boy, talk about screwing up, My son bought a 1992 Celica ST from someone in NH who said he worked for Manchester Toyota. The car showed 190000 on the spedo. But the seller said he swapped a newer motor with only 95000. OK, so as it goes, we checked out the car, seemed to run great, had a minor exhaust leak, needed 2 tires, but nothing else looked off. 400 miles later while driving down the highway, the engine just stopped. Would crank but not fire. Towed to my favorite mechanic. Had spark. opened the cam cover and found little to no oil on the front cam bearings. Metal shavings everywhere.. Looks like we need a new motor. I imagine there really isn't much chance of going after the seller. Does anyone have any ideas. Found another 4AFE engine at a junk yard for $300 with a 90 day warrentee. About $550 to swap out. Now, the morral... I thought the price was too good at $1200. Adding the $800 for the engine swap brings the total up to $2000. Still a good price??. hope so. Feel very bad for my 19 year old son but maybe it will be a lesson learned... the hard way.
Last edited by $modelman$; 05-16-2005 at 02:45 PM.
Reason: add text
locker is right 4AFE, as long as you don't have to many more problems $2,000 isn't that bad. A '94 ST will run about $4,000 in Charlotte with around that many miles.
according to my research, that year came with one of 3 motor sizes. 4afe: at 180, 5sfe st 184 and the st 185 2.2l, the motor in my car seems to be the 4afe. As I said before, the previous seller swapped the original engine.
You bought a car without looking at the oil dipstick!
Yikes, you were kinda asking for trouble.
I'd walk away if there was no oil on the dipstick no matter what the price!
modelman, my advise is take time and if you have friend a mechanic than you might asked a help from him to find a good engine for your son,or try this site: www.uneedapart.com , they will send you email the information what part you are looking for from some different usedpart shop and you can compare the price one to another,Ifeel soory about the hard way lesson and one more thing never belive what seller say, they just one you buy theirs
Last edited by manasseh61; 05-16-2005 at 06:03 PM.
how about buy a fully rebuilt engine for your son as a gift. Properly cost around extra 3 grand. He will happy for life. j/k Good luck to find a new engine. Hope you don't run in trouble this time.
Thanks, I will be looking at an engine this morning from a reputable salvage yard. Says it was running when it came in. They will deliver to my mechanic... cost of $300. Going early to see if the engine can be run before removing it from the wreck.
Why don't u upgrade the engine to 5sfe??? I don't know a lot about fitmen and ecu, but you can ask your mechenic. I think 5sfe is last longer and more popular.
Would do it but we are on a very tight budget. I like these little cars so much, I just listed my 1999 Sable for sale, going after a 6th gen Celica. The engine swap is happening as we speak, hope to have it tonight on in the AM.
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learning a lesson, the hard way!
Boy, talk about screwing up, My son bought a 1992 Celica ST from someone in NH who said he worked for Manchester Toyota. The car showed 190000 on the spedo. But the seller said he swapped a newer motor with only 95000. OK, so as it goes, we checked out the car, seemed to run great, had a minor exhaust leak, needed 2 tires, but nothing else looked off. 400 miles later while driving down the highway, the engine just stopped. Would crank but not fire. Towed to my favorite mechanic. Had spark. opened the cam cover and found little to no oil on the front cam bearings. Metal shavings everywhere.. Looks like we need a new motor. I imagine there really isn't much chance of going after the seller. Does anyone have any ideas. Found another 4AFE engine at a junk yard for $300 with a 90 day warrentee. About $550 to swap out. Now, the morral... I thought the price was too good at $1200. Adding the $800 for the engine swap brings the total up to $2000. Still a good price??. hope so. Feel very bad for my 19 year old son but maybe it will be a lesson learned... the hard way.
j/k Good luck to find a new engine. Hope you don't run in trouble this time.
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