Ouch! That really sucks. Unbelievable that it actually happened to a 'bullet proof' motor. Talk about shock and awe. My guess, It had to of been one-off lemon but even so, it's just not right.

I'd look at throwing a used one in there..way less labor cost than a reman and you could prob make some money back by selling off duplicate parts.
I feel the pain though. Almost makes me want to go give my 5VZ-FE baby a kiss goodnight.

 

The only time I've ever seen a 5VZ throw a rod is when someone hydro locked it while it was running high rpms.

Never a daily driver one do that. Reminds me of mine old 22R in my 85 p/u. Was driving down the road and all of a sudden BANG and the oil light came on and I could see a streak of oil on the road in the rear view mirror. I thought some road trash knocked a hole in the oil pan.

It was only after the wrecker dropper her off at the house and I got on the creeper and slid underneath did I realize the real carnage.

When you pull your current engine out, do a little bit of a autopsy and see if there is any other compoants that have signs of trouble. Be interesting to know if it was just a freak connecting rod or maybe low oil pressure/scored rod bearings ETC.

Curious minds want to know

 

Can auto insurence cover such a thing?

 

I think I am the most shook-up about the 5vz-fe.

X2 on checking with your auto insurance. there is no guarantee but it is definatley worth a phone call.

 

Is that your some of the crankshaft fused there?

 

You know, I have never heard of a problem with the 96' specifically Vs the newer ones.

 

The only time auto insurance will cover engine throwing a rod or anything similar is if you flood your car out and have comprehensive coverage.

Has it rained allot recently? (HINT HINT). "Hello XYZ insurance company I was driving down the road and hit a spot in the road where the water was deeper than it looked and all of a sudden the engine made a really loud BANG and stopped running and won't start again"

I'm not suggesting the above,,but hypothetically speaking of course. If one where to use the above scenario their insurance company would cover their engine.

 

I have heard of folks doing this..........

 

Woke up this morning still in shock in awe this happened...it's like "Black Friday" here at the house.

I'd prefer to keep the vehicle if I can keep the costs low on the repair. If not, we might just try selling it as is and just hope we can get a couple grand for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far! Keeping them coming!

I'm going to call a few places around town and see what I can find out.

 

why a 96 3.4??!

 

5-cylinder 2833cc... It will definitely get better fuel economy.

 

Do the motor swap--with a hoist--i would say it might take you a Day and a half......

Thats what it took me.

 

Looking at the rod bearing surface in that pic it looks like there is a good amount of scoring/polishing from the crank. You normally only see that as a result of very low or total loss of oil pressure.

That's one reason I hate the idiot light and put in a oil pressure gauge.

 

I would be so mad that I would throw the rod back at the 5vz

 

two words that nobody has said yet but i know someone else is thinking BIG BLOCK just thowin it out there

 

newbs

 

Interesting...very possible.




No, just standard oil. Again, it still looked great upon inspection. And to think, I had planned to change the oil this weekend!


I was so shocked, I just couldn't do anything but laugh. It's slowly starting to sink in though...


lol, if we decide to keep it, we'll just stick w/ a 3.4.



BTW, one local yard quoted my $1,850 for a 3.4L w/ 80K on it. Still looking though...

 

Hmmm... first Michael Jackson, now this!

69K miles in 3 years is a lot of driving.

Someone either redlined it, OVER redlined it, took off way too fast while it was still cold too many times or did not change the oil or ran it low way to many times.

Who did this? who knows! Could have been the original owner and wear just caught up with you.. Stuff like this on this motor doesn't just "happen"

And my ex girlfriends 95.5 Tacoma first month production 3.4L V6 has 250K miles on it. Runs perfect, no problems EVER and doesn't even vibrate at idle.

Could you have gotten a bad one? Maybe... but it would have shown up many many miles ago.

 

WOW that is high. Really high. I got my 3.4 block with about hte same milage for 1000

 

^ I agree. But then again, they are that way w/ all their stuff. They seem to think everything that come's out of their yard is pure gold.

This is the same place that wants $900 for a set of used '00 5-spoke 3rd gen wheels...