Hey Scotty, I bought a 2006 Scion Tc with 107k miles on it from an individual, the car was running great until I started smelling something humid like, only to notice it had a coolant leak coming from the front of the engine, around the intake manifold. Took it to a mechanic expecting it to be the head gasket, but it ended up being a common design flaw with the 2az-fe's, which is the head bolts threads, they worn out and started letting coolant through. The mechanic sent the block to be rectified, but they said it wasn't possible to drill any further since the thread holes were too long and it would be imprecise and dangerous. Now my 2 options are replacing the engine for a used junkyard one, which costs 2400 with 92k miles on it, with the risk of that happening again I guess, or just getting rid of the car, get 400 for it and buy another one. I'd really appreciate some advice from you, my car is parked at the mechanic's workshop with the engine out waiting for a decision. Thank you.
Realize that the 2AZ-FE engine has burning oil issues and by getting a junk yard engine is not a good idea. If the rest of the car is in a good shape ( transmission, cosmetics,...), get a remanufactured engine from a reputable company.
Problem for me is the money unfortunately, they are kindda expensive and scarce around here, but I appreciate your advice
Why can't your mechanic repair the threads in your block with Timeserts, then use ARP studs instead of head bolts to reassemble the engine?
Tbh I don't know, I know he sent the engine to a body or machine shop or whatever and they said the wouldn't do it cause it's an aluminum block and drilling further is risky, and I think my mechanic said something about not having the right tools and not wanting to risk it either, probably he doesn't know about that, but if he were to put the engine back together he's gonna charge me 300 and I'll have to look for another mechanic that doesn't want to rip me off
Good idea. If he doesn't know about Timserts, you need a better mechanic.
There's not too many around where I live
Bummer!
Yep, most of them are the oil changers or mechanics with bad reputation or too expensive ones, that's why I feel like getting rid of that car and buying another, but the car market is trash rn