[Rachel S.]

We just got word from our mechanic that our engine is completely shot and the car could stop running any day. Told it was a total fluke and happens every once in awhile. 2014 Camry we bought new with 126K miles on it. We expected it to last for years to come and are struggling with this news.

Any advice or thoughts?! Thanks so much!!

 

[Flounder_Pounder]

First, I would get another shop to look at it. I wouldn't take one person's opinion on trashing anything yet.

Why did it end up in the shop? Have you changed or had the oil changed regularly? If the oil has been changed regularly I do not see how the engine is trashed other than if you were racing it

 

[Pvt-Public]

There is no easy answer, since only you know what is financially viable for you. And several questions you need to answer or get answered.

We just got word from our mechanic that our engine is completely shot and the car could stop running any day.

Is really vague and not an explanation at all.
What is really broke? And can it be fixed?
Cost to fix?
Cost to replace engine with a used engine preferably with less miles on it?
Cost to rebuild present engine?
Is the rest of the car in good shape ie. transmission, brakes etc…
Any warranty on any of the above.
Apparently since it is still running, a second opinion as mentioned above is a great idea.
Then you can start making decisions. Please do not add any sentimental attachment as a lot of people do. It has no place in financial decisions.

 

[Demoncow666]

i agree we would need to know what caused it to go into the shop in first place. i have a camry with 330k and runs good. its like any car once in a while there may be a bad one in the bunch but we need more details to help

 

[glend123]

If it's "completely shot" doesn't sound like it's possible to still be running.
Need a better idea of what's wrong to diagnose.

 

[Pvt-Public]

f it's "completely shot" doesn't sound like it's possible to still be running.

Very first sentence of the original post.

We just got word from our mechanic that our engine is completely shot and the car could stop running any day.

So it must be still running.

 

[corollacoaster]

We just got word from our mechanic that our engine is completely shot and the car could stop running any day. Told it was a total fluke and happens every once in awhile. 2014 Camry we bought new with 126K miles on it. We expected it to last for years to come and are struggling with this news.

Any advice or thoughts?! Thanks so much!!

Get another opinion, and that opinion is pulling the OBD2 trouble codes. Those codes are very specific to engine operational problems. If a mechanic summarily said, "The engine is shot...." without any reason they belive it's shot, they need to tell you what the defect IS, and it doesn't sound like they want to do that. I've heard unscrupulous mechanics tell that lie especialla to women customers and even offer to take the car off their hands as junk, but go on to repair and sell the car for a profit. After you get the OBD2 trouble codes, tell them to us and we'll try to help you better. Car part stores pull codes for free. Write the codes down exactly.

 

[new echo owner]

Seems like OP should provide more information on why was the vehicle down at the shop to start with.
If it is a L4, maybe it is just one of those with head gasket issue! Until there is more information on what the issue is with the vehicle, making any suggestion might not be very useful!
Just saying!

 

[glend123]

Very first sentence of the original post.

So it must be still running.

I know. the mechanic is contradicting himself saying that a running engine is completely shot.

 

[CRomanVegas]

Why did you bring it into the shop?

 

[retiredat444]

the only time an engine is shot overheated bad, run out of oil, thrown bearings and metal... even an engine with out of round cylinders can be fixed...seazed, fixed.. but cracked blocks are not worth the effort... a replacement , exchange with a rebuilder is usually good, used if it is warranteed. Shot is a worthless word ona new car... new is the last 0-10 years...

 

[Pvt-Public]

I know. the mechanic is contradicting himself saying that a running engine is completely shot.

Not really, there can be a few reasons for the “completely shot” comment.
Oil pressure low enough that damage has occurred and will continue to get worse.
Spun main bearing. I drove one for almost a week before replacing the engine, that was still running when I pulled it.
Compression so low that it won’t produce enough power to be of any use.
Just a couple, I’m sure others can come up with more.
And as said before more information is need. What were the symptoms to begin with? Was there an actual diagnosis? Is the rest of the car even worth trying to keep?

 

[Pvt-Public]

the only time an engine is shot overheated bad, run out of oil, thrown bearings and metal... even an engine with out of round cylinders can be fixed...seazed, fixed.. but cracked blocks are not worth the effort... a replacement , exchange with a rebuilder is usually good, used if it is warranteed. Shot is a worthless word ona new car... new is the last 0-10 years...

You’re right. Just about anything can be fixed, with enough time, money, and effort. Then it comes down to is it financially justifiable. Sometimes just replacing the engine or the entire car is the most reasonable solution. I know this is just semantics but, new is new, anything else is used.

 

[dddd]

A woman friend of mine had her car towed, then was told that it wouldn't start and that the car could be sold (cheaply) to the people who own the storage lot.
It was just an issue with the key!
Somebody likely stood to make some money on that car!

Not saying that the OP's mechanic is at all unscrupulous.

 

[Wigyota]

After all these comments I'm waiting to see what more information the OP might have that might be useful to know in this thread.

 

[sdspeed]

I think the warm welcome scared the OP off.

 

[Wigyota]

I think the warm welcome scared the OP off.

The warm welcome is exactly why I joined this forum. 😊👍We all try to be a support to each other on here. I just assume that's what new people that join want to expect as well. I'm personally dying to know the same thing a lot of people on here are though. How's this engine "shot"?? Either it's the 2AR-FE or the 2GR-FE. Both very solid engines and if taken care of, even with minimal maintenance still last. Either way I really have a hard time with it being deemed as "shot" unless the thing was being used and abused for its whole life.

 

[Rachel S.]

Wow, thank you everyone! Encouraged me to get a second opinion. Here is what I was told by a Toyota Dealer - I didn't tell him anything except that the engine sounded rough and something was wrong. He said we needed the following - did my best to take notes, so some of the lingo may not be exact. but he said the problems were all exterior to the engine and that the engine components themselves, pistons, rods, etc. were all good, as were all other systems in the car based on their 27 pt. inspection. He said the main culprit was the oil filter housing and the spark plug coil. Thoughts or comments based on all of this new info? Total cost was around $1,500 which I'm willing to pay if I get the car in good working order again.

-New oil filter housing (95)
-New spark plugs/spark plug coil (297)
-Refresh the computer system (165)
-New coolant/brake fluid - flush systems (170 & 155)
-New Transmission fluid/flush ($250)
-Throttle body clean and fuel system service ($230)

 

[Rachel S.]

Why did you bring it into the shop?

Sounded really bad when driving - hard to describe, but sounded like something was really wrong with it!

 

[dtownfb]

A lot of what the dealer recommended is past due maintenance items with the exception of the oil filter housing and refreshing the computer system. Normally I would say the dealer is trying to pad the bill but in this case, it may be a good place to start. If there is no evidence of past maintenance I would change the spark plugs & coils, drain & fill on the coolant, transmission fluid flush (it's really just a method they use to exchange the majority of the transmission fluid) and change the oil filter housing. I would wait for the brake fluid until you need new brakes, unless you are having braking issues.

Computer refresh? Fuel system service? Throttle body cleaning? I'll let others chime in on that.

Also ask if they can give you a discount on the bill. They gave you a price to perform each individual service. The reality is an experienced technician can do a couple of these tasks at the same time. It might get you 10-15% off the bill.

Good luck.