Help! Blown Radiator/cooling Sys Caused Engine Shutdown/damage T

[Zion313]

Help....2004 Lexus GS300 stock everything, 1-owner (me), 135,000 miles. On the way home, engine shutdown at 85 mph, then white smoke from hood, engine overheated. Nearby town mechanic told me radiator blew. Next day he investigates and tells me there is piston/head damage as smoke/gas gets passed heads into cooling system. Said rebuild will cost $4,000 or to just trade it in "as is."

1. When people rebuild major damage, what are the success rates?

2. Should I just trade it in as is? And who would buy it like that? A dealer?

3. Should I buy a whole new engine and swap out? Costs?

Any info would help.

Thanks from PHOENIX, AZ

GC

[silverbullitt]

If your car is paid for, personally I would find a used engine n have it installed. Most salvage yards carry lifetime warranty on parts. All aluminum engines are sensitive to heat n will warp on you. So I wouldn't repair it. So if you can afford a new engine go for it. Or if you wanna save some money buy used.

[Zion313]

Thanks Charles. Just curious, but there are still "new" 2JZ engines available on the market? I thought Toyota stopped making them in 2006. Do you know any good online aftermarket that would sell one?

Thanks,

GC

[Zion313]

Is it possible to see if there is piston/head damage without taking the block apart or without starting the engine?

[GrnHrnt]

The symptoms you describe might indicate a blown head gasket. Repairing a blown head gasket on a 2JZ is a lot cheaper than swapping in a used engine. A good mechanic would check for this before proceding with an engine swap.

IF you could find a new factory 2JZ engine, it would be cost prohibitive for an 8 year old GS300.

Used engines are readily available. Don't waste your time looking for a new or used stock all aluminum 2JZ engine.They don't exist. All 2JZ 's have a cast iron block with an aluminum cylinder head.

[SRK]

It sounds like you drove the engine to destruction. If it was run for any length of time with no coolant in it and "shut down" like you say, the damage will be far greater than just a blown head gasket. The pistons will be scuffed and the rings lose tension. The block and head will be distorted.

So get a used engine from an identical model and year from a wrecking yard and have that installed. Don't even think of rebuilding what you have.

[Zion313]

_{UPDATE: Lexus specialist says major engine damage.....replace engine.}

_{55K engine with 2yr warranty: $2800}

_{Radiator, hoses, parts, spark plugs, water pump, other stuff PLUS labor....out the door running: $7,100}

_{I found reliable, good priced, warranty, low milleage engines for $1600.}

_{That $7,100 price seems high.}

_Thoughts????

[SRK]

The guy wants 4300 for incidentals and labor??!!!! The engine re and re should be about 12 hours, although that may be a bit low, and the bits he's mentioned are not really needed, except that he wants to warranty it. How much is the rad itself? That and some fluids are all that are really needed - hoses can be inspected and re-used and plugs can be done anytime.

It's high.

[Zion313]

^{Thanks everyone. I've decided to replace the engine with a warrantied engine. A local ASE shop has given me a good rate on the entire engine swap replacement.}