Do I fix a 2002 Corolla with a seized engine?

[Blackjack200]

Long story...

2002 Corolla, my only car and obviously therefore DD, engine seized with about 125k on the clock.

The shop found an engine with 60k on it that they can put in, they estimate $3.5k up to $4k for parts and labor.

Is this worth doing? I'm trying to look up the value of a 2002 Corolla with 60k right now.

BTW, the (digital) odometer will be reset to the new(er) engines miles, right? I guess that's a question I could ask the shop.

TIA.

 

[JulesMaximus]

No, the odometer will not be reset... that would be illegal.

The rest of the car has 125,000 miles on it. Just keep the paperwork from the engine replacement with all your maintenance records and that will show what was done and when.

 

[Insomniator]

haha... the odo does not get reset. Kind of a funny thing to assume actually.

 

[Blackjack200]

No, the odometer will not be reset... that would be illegal.

The rest of the car has 125,000 miles on it. Just keep the paperwork from the engine replacement with all your maintenance records and that will show what was done and when.

That pretty much seals it. Checking around the internet, looks like the most I could get for it is $5k if it was in pristine condition, which this most certainly is not. By the time I do all the repairs, and go through the expense of selling it, I would get almost nothing out of it, and it certainly wouldn't be worth the headaches.

 

[jlee]

$4k!? Goddamn. The 1zzfe is a pretty inexpensive engine...what's the breakdown for parts/labor?

 

[pauldun170]

How did you end up with a seized engine?

 

[T2urtle]

I know its your dd and all but shop around you might find a place in the $2000 or $2500 ballpark. 1zz are cheap and common.

 

[Blackjack200]

$4k!? Goddamn. The 1zzfe is a pretty inexpensive engine...what's the breakdown for parts/labor?

I didn't ask, the mechanic was surprised at how much they cost. How much do they typically go for?

I hate Toyotas so the story I told myself is that it's because they're shitty engines and there's a lot of demand for replacements.

How did you end up with a seized engine?

Kind of embarrassing. It started making a noise and I thought it was an exhaust leak (I had an exhaust leak in my old Jetta and it sounded the same). I had 4 guys in the car and was driving up the side of a mountain, the sound started getting worse, checked the oil and it was two quarts low

I put oil in it but the damage must have already been done. The engine seized up about 15 miles later.

 

[skyking]

Ouch. No interest in tackling it yourself? If it is like for like, same make and model it is a plug and play job. A couple of clueless guys could be coached through it by one with the knowledge.

 

[skyking]

http://www.automotix.net/usedengines/2002-toyota-corolla-inventory.html

 

[Blackjack200]

Ouch. No interest in tackling it yourself? If it is like for like, same make and model it is a plug and play job. A couple of clueless guys could be coached through it by one with the knowledge.

Not really.

My house doesn't even have a driveway, everyone on the block just parks on the street, don't you need an engine lift for that job? It's not like I have a shop or tools or tons of time.

 

[Insomniator]

Ouch. No interest in tackling it yourself? If it is like for like, same make and model it is a plug and play job. A couple of clueless guys could be coached through it by one with the knowledge.

An engine swap sounds like a pretty ridiculous job for the average non-mechanic, even if it is a plug and play type of thing. Actually a hilarious suggestion imo.

 

[SearchMaster]

I hate Toyotas so the story I told myself is that it's because they're shitty engines and there's a lot of demand for replacements.

Yeah, Toyotas, especially Corollas, are known for blowing engines left and right

 

[skyking]

An engine swap sounds like a pretty ridiculous job for the average non-mechanic, even if it is a plug and play type of thing. Actually a hilarious suggestion imo.

Different generations, I suppose. I burned up a clutch in my 66 mustang living on my own, far from family and help. My roomies were just about worthless, only good for a ride to get the parts and get back to the car. I changed it out in the Safeway parking lot where it quit moving in a couple of hours, I was 19.

 

[dawp]

clutch is much easier to change in a rwd mustang than in a fwd corolla. an engine swap is going to be even more difficult.

after my current car I don't think I'm ever going to get a FWD with a manual again. clutch changes are just too much of a pain in the ass.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd get some more quotes. A wrecker should be able to change the engine for probably 1/4 to 1/3 of what you were quoted.

I saw a DOHC engine for my 1996 Saturn a few years ago selling for $250 on Car-part.com.

 

[skyking]

I linked a bunch of 1100~1400 dollar engines. One guy 1 day less than a grand labor. That shop must be changing a whole lot of other parts along the way.

 

[amdhunter]

Not really.

My house doesn't even have a driveway, everyone on the block just parks on the street, don't you need an engine lift for that job? It's not like I have a shop or tools or tons of time.

I think ehow has a quick 12 step walkthrough.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Lol, e-how articles on complex repairs always remind me of this:

 

[T2urtle]

I linked a bunch of 1100~1400 dollar engines. One guy 1 day less than a grand labor. That shop must be changing a whole lot of other parts along the way.

well in most cases, you dont just drop the engine in AS-IS.

You do w/e basic maintence you need to do with the motor off the car. Might need to swap sensors and put on known good starter,altnator, PS pumps and etc. I do agree with $1500 for the motor and one guy less then $1000 labor to knock this out.

Poke around your local toyota dealership in the back when techs go on their smoke breaks and throw out the $1000 cash idea. Some might bite.

 

[Pens1566]

Those 1.8 liter engines had a known issue with oil consumption. Had an '02 Celica GT (dealer serviced) that died at ~53k. Toyota knew about it and replaced it without even putting up a fight.

 

[exdeath]

Find a buddy who will do it for fun, buy an engine, swap, sell it, split the money.

 

[exdeath]

well in most cases, you dont just drop the engine in AS-IS.

You do w/e basic maintence you need to do with the motor off the car. Might need to swap sensors and put on known good starter,altnator, PS pumps and etc. I do agree with $1500 for the motor and one guy less then $1000 labor to knock this out.

Poke around your local toyota dealership in the back when techs go on their smoke breaks and throw out the $1000 cash idea. Some might bite.

Is that book labor or the time it takes a skilled experienced person to do the swap? If the accepted industry cost for a service is for 10 hours and I do it in 1 hour, I still need to be paid for 10 hours and not penalized for my skill and expertise. You benefit from my quicker than quoted service by having your car back in a day instead of a week, not by not paying what the job is listed for.

If you know what you are doing, a single person with a hoist and all the tools and things gathered and prepped the night before, get up at 6-7am when its cool and be done by noon.

 

[Throckmorton]

I'd say to junk it and get another one, but I bet with today's used car prices a 2002 Corolla costs $10k.

 

[pauldun170]

I'd say to junk it and get another one, but I bet with today's used car prices a 2002 Corolla costs $10k.

Its bout the same price as the quoted repair cost.
At least up here for private seller and 130K on the clock