This may be the one that gets me [DIAGNOSTIC UPDATE AND PHOTOS]

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 06/19/2018 at 20:04 • Filed to: None

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According to the local shop that is doing the timing chain, oil pump, and water pump on the Sunchaser, at some point in the life of the car, something that attaches to a sprocket came loose inside the car and caused some kind of damage that they say can only be fixed with a new engine.

I don’t understand exactly, so I need to go over there and ask a lot of questions. I am very sad.

[UPDATE]

Does this sound like an engine replacement problem to you? Could it be traced to a time frame? Only 3 shops have touched it since I got it.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:13

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Wait, in the life since you’ve had it? Or in the life of the car as a whole....because if it was in the life of the car as a whole, then why do you need a new engine as it’s seemed to be running fine all this time for you...?

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:14

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2 deaths in 2 days, first X now the Sunchaser. Can things get any worse?

Why can’t I stop thinking about X.... I need help

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:16

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Sounds suspicious but 22R’s grow on trees.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:16

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welp... i know the sunchaser is pretty rare.... but is the engine?

it may not be the end all

wafflesnfalafel > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:17

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hmm... sounds a bit like a muffler bearing issue... but if not, does Toyota do any crate engines? Might be an opportunity to put something zippier in.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 06/19/2018 at 20:19

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you dont need help.. (well.... not for this at least)

shit that hits you deep hits you deep... itll hurt for a while

WilliamsSW > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:21

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Ugh - you should clarify that your engine is indestructible.

Hope it’s not true that you need a new one!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 06/19/2018 at 20:22

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Im considering taking a break from Oppo so I don’t slip up anymore for a bit until I get my head back on

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 06/19/2018 at 20:26

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do what you gotta mate....if ye need a vent just drop me a rant diehellcat@gmail.com

i’ll probably say all the worst things or try to make terrible jokes in return (and my returns may not be very speedy) but have at it if you feel like it

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:28

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The damage must not have been too major as it seems to an outside observer that it’s been running well.

promoted by the color red > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:32

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It’s a Toyota R engine right? Those are damn near indestructible, but if you need a replacement you should be able to either go remanufactured (there’s Yodaman in Santa Rosa that still works on them) or buy a Chinese crate motor.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:35

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Are you sending Pumpkin in to negotiate?

DipodomysDeserti > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:36

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Uhhhh, did these leave something in your timing chain cover and run the engine? They know you’re a lawyer, right?

bob and john > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:40

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lol, thats nothing more then a new crankshaft and timing gear. if you are so worried about keeping it numbers matching.

Your boy, BJR > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:43

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This is a problem that requires fixing with an LS7. Make a Shelby big block Cobra for the oppo crowd.

Die-Trying > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 20:58

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time to get out the sandpaper, and shoelaces........

EngineerWithTools > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 21:03

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Right up front: I have no working knowledge of your specific engine, Mr. IM, so you get what you pay for with rando internet mechanical engineers.

With that out of the way... it seems to me that the suggestion to replace the engine is based entirely on the age, combined with the (probably true) idea that to “properly” fix this, the crank would need replacement, and if you’re going to do that, you might as well just do the whole thing. (Which is the “while you’re in there” approach taken to its logical end.)

But honestly, I just don’t see the need unless there is a crack in the snout. Clean it up, carefully polishing out grooves and such and reassemble. That keyway, I assume, is for the pulley / balancer and that there is a tapped hole in the end of the crank. I see two risks: the pulley/balancer not being properly retained because the keyway in the crank has been deformed and the deformation or a crack eventually leading to a fatigue failure of the snout, from keyway to tapped hole because of the balancer load (which would result in.... a new crank, and probably a radiator).

Carefully making sure the key fits tightly in the pulley reduces the risk of the key rolling and failing and the pulley spinning on the crank. Using some small shims to fill up space “next to” the key in the crank, or even using a stepped key would add more strength (and only necessary if the key is really loose in the now-deformed keyway).

E90M3 > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 21:08

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You really like this car. Spend the money fixing it how you want it. If you don’t care about the original engine being it in, have them put a new engine in it and keep the original one.

daender > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 21:23

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Ouch that sucks. A Mazda dealership screwed up my keyway during a 60k maintenance job but it didn’t wear out to the point of failure until two year passed. I believe the repair cost was like 1.2k$.

...Have you thought about building up the engine?

His Stigness > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 21:54

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Do you need to replace the whole engine? No. Should you? Depends on the mileage. I don’t like the fact that they’re recommending a new engine because of the age of the car. All that matters in an engine is mileage.

But if you want to use this as an excuse to put in a built motor then I would. And pay the core charge and then rebuilt that engine on your own time.

crowmolly > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 22:34

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I’m not sure how fresh the engine is. But a new one is a bit of overkill. Not the worst thing if the engine itself needs a fair amount of freshening anyway.

You might be able to just get away with a new short block.

Or you might be able to convince them to use Loctite 660. I am pretty sure it’s formulated for repairs like this and that woodruff key isn’t seeing a whole ton of horsepower.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 23:10

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Nuts. That isn’t necessarily a new engine, but it is a rebuild with a new crankshaft and timing gear.

It is possible that the last person who pulled that crank pulley didn’t torque it to spec.

Depending on how original you want to keep it and if the shop/another one you’re comfortable with is a competent engine builder, it could probably be freshened up with a new crankshaft (depending on what the teardown yields). The other option is an engine replacement. I’m wary of remanned engines in general, as there are a lot real questionably built remans out there that may or may not last. A good one can be a very cost effective solution in some cases. A good, local engine builder is often a better way to go if you’ve got one/can afford it.

sony1492 > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 23:10

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Sounds like the only problem is the oil pump gear won’t come off due to the scaring. So get the gear off and continue as planned, the scaring dosent affect anything except for removal and installation of pulleys. The damaged keyway dosent matter as long as it still works as a keyway(has some form of its original dimensions so it dosent move when the crank pulley bolt is torqued.)

I think they’re saying replace the motor because it’s a problem that can’t be fixed in a satisfactory manner, sure they can dremel the pulley smooth enough to remove the pullies but it’s never truly fixed. Still it’s not an actual problem other than knowing it’s there.(and getting the gear off/on this time around)

Chariotoflove > ImmoralMinority 06/19/2018 at 23:12

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No one here has said the only two words you need to hear, so I’ll say them:

Call Borsuq.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Chariotoflove 06/19/2018 at 23:53

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I’ll second this. Borsuq could have this fixed inside a day with nothing more than some rebar, a 2x4 and some baling wire. Possibly some bubble gum, a 3/8” bolt and a 9mm nut.

castironerik > ImmoralMinority 06/20/2018 at 06:07

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First thing to do is look at the situation and the photos. The key only drives the crank pulley which drives the accessories, P/S A/C Alternator etc. It does not drive the oil pump gear at the end of the crank. The engine will fire and run with out the pulley. The engine is good, the problem lies with the end of the crank. What I would do is concentrate on that, clean up the end of the crank, deburr it, with a smoothing file and some emery cloth. Then , if they are talented enough, put a spot of weld in the centre of the damaged area. Flatten that out with a die grinder, then contour the key way to match. Its a little bit of effort ,but I have done this many , many times. Once you put the crank pulley on, make sure the bolt does not bottom out when tightened, you may want to put an spacer/washer on top of the thick washer that is on the bolt already.Once it is tight it will hold against the end of the crank and the pulley will drive the belts.Its a one shot deal but its certainly do-able. That’s why we were called mechanics and not technicians. I have been doing this since 1979.. Hope this helps, love the yellow Celica, I had one of every year Celica since 1972 ! I am going to start posting here soon. Lemme know !

Wacko > ImmoralMinority 06/20/2018 at 09:19

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Wow never thought that my V12 swap idea would be a real option, but it’s time to actually consider it.

Chariotoflove > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 06/20/2018 at 12:10

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And we wouldn’t even need a 9mm wrench to do it.