I'm looking to rebuild the engine for my 93 Es300 and I wanted some input from some of your guys. I would really like to rebuild it from scratch myself. I have some questions. Where should I buy a rebuild kit? (any place online) Should I just scrap that idea and get an engine from a lexus dealer? I really want to keep the car. I Love it, the body is good everything else works in it. (I'm rebuilding because I blew a gasket.) I know I'm in for a long rebuild time due to my schedule of having a full-time job and college full-time. Also, I know that it would be rather stupid to build an engine and place it in there with the other old parts. I am going to put everything else new under the hood and bring in some more power. So, I'd like some input as to where should I purchase the rest of the parts? Or do you think that I should just fix the gaskets and unclogg them etc?

 

How did the vehicle overheat? Is the oil and coolant mix together? I would need some additional info. If the headgasket is blown and the rest of your engine is healthy, I would rebuild it.
JPI

 

Long story short I was all the way in Galesburgh IL(I live in Chicago) on my way back to Chicago and I didn't realize that the car was overheated. I had never had any overheating problems or anything out of the car, but I just so happen to look down at the dash and its just all the way at hot, then I look back and there is white smoke. I pull over and cut off the car and call a tow truck and get back home and look at the car. I took it to Midas to get their free inspection so that I could fix it. But the guy at Midas was like the cost would too much (which I didn't ask him the cost in the first place) and he suggested that either I get a new engine or a rebuilt one. I'm not really sure if the oil and coolant mixed together but I'm leaning towards yes to that question, because the ordor of the oil was different.

 

A few folks have been picking up replacement 3VZ-FE engines from Tiger Japanese Auto Parts Ltd.

Swifty562 even wrote an excellent JDM vs. USDM 3VZ-FE engines thread that shows what the engine differences are; helps you anticipate the handful of curves thrown your way when you install the JDM replacement.

(Just typing in "JDM" "engines" and "tiger" in "Search this Forum" didn't quite bring up the threads so I posted 'em here)

 

I forgot to add that although the oil smelled different the oil was black.

 

I would strongly suggested that you perform a block check. We are looking for evidence of exhuast gas in the coolant system. It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion before pulling the trigger. Does the engine turn over?
JPI

 

yeah the engine turns over.

 

I really think that it may be clogged but i want to be sure of what exactly the problem was but I also just want to get rid of the headache by just rebuilding.

 

Black oil is good indication that antifreeze-coolant did not mix with oil. Because if it did, it would be brown like a mocha color.

 

I'm going to do a block check this weekend. I'm going to replace the whole radiator(thermostat, gasket and all) and water pump(I checked it today and it was not operating). I've already bought head gaskets just in case. Looks like I'll be using public transportation for a month or two.

 

Well JPI, I did the block check and there is absolutely no block, however, I twisted off the cap over the engine and the oil is now that mocha brown color.

 

high probability of a blown head gasket.
be sure you mill the heads flat. otherwise they'll most likely blow again in the exact same spot.