[yaronshr]

Hi,
I have a 2008 base model with the 2.4L engine, 160k miles. Got the oil leak issue taken care of in 2016.
It recently started making a horrible noise, and 2 mechanics told me that the engine is going - the only way to fix this is to replace it.

So now I'm wondering whether to get the engine replaced or buy a new vehicle.
Replacing the engine would be expensive, but cars (new or used) are insanely overpriced these days - like $10k or more over what they should be.

If I get the engine replaced, how many years should I expect to get out of it?

Thanks!

 

[anase]

Hi,
I have a 2008 base model with the 2.4L engine, 160k miles. Got the oil leak issue taken care of in 2016.
It recently started making a horrible noise, and 2 mechanics told me that the engine is going - the only way to fix this is to replace it.

So now I'm wondering whether to get the engine replaced or buy a new vehicle.
Replacing the engine would be expensive, but cars (new or used) are insanely overpriced these days - like $10k or more over what they should be.

If I get the engine replaced, how many years should I expect to get out of it?

Thanks!

If you decide to replace the engine, are you sure that the new one is in optimal condition and will last for ex. 5 years?
I would consider also the repair of the current one. At least you know what you do and what you put in your car.
Generally 2AZ-FE has issues only with oil rings. The bottom part of the engine (crankshaft, bearings etc.) are bulletproof. Valve seats and vvt-i gear are not so expensive.
Just make a list of pros and cons for each option before you decide.

 

[yaronshr]

I am not a mechanic and am not car-repair-inclined and would have a mechanic do it in any case.
The issue with the engine - the loud rattling sound that it suddenly started making - is not due to an oil issue - the oil is OK right now.
One of the 2 mechanics who told me that the engine is going also said that it's likely the "under-bearings".
The oil light also sometimes comes on (even tho, as I said, the oil is not low) - which, from what I see on the all-knowing Internet, seems to corroborate that it's a bearing.

 

[DL175]

If you replaced your engine you need to swallow the cost of the repair and hopefully you can recoup that cost by keeping it for a long time. This is if you don't get an accident and is totalled or sell it in a few years. The rebuilt engine should last over 100,000 miles. You can also sell it and switch to a more reliable car and get something newer. Sometimes it is better to not to get into a money pit because things can get worse and the bills just keeps coming. Depends on how lucky you are and knowledgeable in maintaining a vehicle.

 

[yaronshr]

@DL175 By "the rebuilt engine" do you mean the replacement engine that I would get?
Cars are currently selling for so much money than they should be selling for, so if it's highly likely that I'd get several more years out of my current car by replacing the engine, it may very well be worth it (if I can find a mechanic willing to do it).

 

[Blogson]

DL175 likely will add to this - a "rebuilt" engine is one which has been disassembled and all of the ordinary wear parts replaced - pistons, bearings, valve seals, and generally more. A "replacement" engine generally is a used one which has been sourced from a salvage yard or from another supplier such as from overseas and basically is sold "as is."

 

[Minnesnowta]

yaronshr ...If I was in your shoes, I'd do it.
You can get a used engine on ebay for around $1k ...and it's a big job to do an engine swap on a '08 Rav4, probably 20 hours, so a reliable small shop will likely charge about $2K for labor.