Here's the story:
-98 GS300
-135k miles
-stock
-pristine condition (I'm 62 tears old - I baby it)
-CEL was on with two codes - ECT sensor and O2 sensor
-replaced ECT and rechecked codes - now only O2 sensor code appeared
-Driving on hiway on hot Chicago Saturday last weekend
-Cruise Control on - 65 mph
-VSC light comes on
-CEL still on
-engine begins laboring, losing power
-downshifts to increase power
-engine dies, all trouble lights on
-roll to a stop
-have it towed to my trusted shop
-tells me radiator failed and major overheat happened
-because it didn't die quickly severe internal damage happened
-by the time he repairs engine and replaces radiator it might be cheaper to buy a used engine and radiator
-do I: have it all repaired? have him search for an engine and replace with radiator? If replace engine, it might be hard to find a 98 - are there any other years that will fit without modification? Scrap it and sell parts? Donate it and take the tax deduction?
-Please help!

Thanks!

 

98 to 2005 will fit you can find a used engine for around $700 and $1100 for a engine and tranny. You can also get a engine from an is300 is the same engine. Good luck.

 

you could make it run but most likely the piston rings melted and head warped and will cause oil and coolant leaks. In all toyotas and lexus cars teh water pumps are first to go. always replace water pump when replacing timming belt.

 

So my mechanic has found a 2001 engine with 92k miles. He says he can replace the engine, tune it, timing belt and water pump, replace radiator, for about $3500. Or he might know someone who would buy my car as is for $3500.

He can also keep looking for a newer/lower mileage engine to put in.

Now I need help deciding which way to go.

Please share your thoughts. I really like the car, but this is now a financial decision. $3500 repair on a 13 year old car?

 

It depends. KBB value of your car is around $5.5K. If you plan on keeping the car for awhile, and you are tight on your finances, spending $3.5k on repairs might be an option to go.

If you secure with your finances, it might be worth it to take the $3.5k, and put it towards a newer + 2001 2GS, or whatever car you may want. It's a tough choice, and I've been there with my previous ES's. I did pay for repairs, and retrospectively speaking, I should have sold it as-is, and bought another car at that point.

 

3.5k to swap in an engine? tune it? what a crock.

You can find stock oem engines for around $500-700 complete with ecu, throttle body, transmission etc. Especially since this a 2jz-ge motor. Let me know what area you are in.

 

sorry to hear. It happens so quickly

 

Buy a used motor and a new radiator. Have your mechanic do the swap, a one day deal after you find the parts.

Might as well have him install a new water pump and timing belt on the new motor for insurance.

 

It's a full motor replacement job including the engine for $4k range or so. That's not too far out of the ordinary for most repair shops out there. Try bringing it to Lexus and compare the labor rates lol.

 

I'm in Schaumburg IL, a suburb of Chicago. It shouldn't be too hard in this area, should it?

Thanks!

 

I understand the shop cost involved, and I'm not someone who takes my car to a shop to fix everything so maybe my view is a little skewed. I could see paying that amount to swap in another type of motor (2j-ge vs 2jz-gte etc) but to pull the motor and get a core charge for it and then swap in the same motor, completely just plug and play that seems a bit much.

I understand lexus is going to be alot more ($8-10k or so?) but I couldn't see myself spending that much to put in the same exact motor.

I also understand the addage, you get what you pay for.



To the op; check these out - some have mileage some dont.

1998 Engine Lexus GS300 1998
Engine
Lexus GS300 3.0L,AT,FWD,RVG SEE CT
BB5968 $775
Elgin Super Auto Parts USA-IL(Elgin)
1-800-232-5564
847-695-4000

1999 Engine Lexus GS300 101,310 miles
A 1B2067 $866.25
Bionic Auto Parts - PRP Midwest USA-IL(Chicago)
877-445-1520

2000 Engine Lexus GS300 [300-84130A]
00103296 $950
City Auto Wreckers USA-IL(Aurora)
1-800-898-2489

1998 Engine Lexus GS300 3.0l at dns hth 115,000 miles
8J1732 $800
Speedway Auto Parts & Wreckers, Inc. USA-IL(Chicago-Height)
1-800-723-8501

1998 Engine Lexus GS300 3.0 VIN D CT DONE RAN 411
AA8362 $700 Rockford Auto Parts USA-IL(Rockford)
1-815-964-3396
800-392-5595

2000 Engine Lexus GS300 3.0 AT WAC RVG WAC 411
AA9047 $700
Rockford Auto Parts USA-IL(Rockford)
1-815-964-3396
800-392-5595

2000 Engine Lexus GS300 3.0L,F-AOD,EFI,RWD,RVG 90,000 miles
6K0L35 $1000
Rhodes Auto S/S/S - QRP Partner, ARAPro, PRP Midwest USA-IL(Streator)
1-800-548-9151

Call them up (each wrecker) and inquire about the engines, and warranty.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean by that. I do all my own work as well, but I was just saying "in general" for most people out there that don't turn wrenches. A few of my friends have shops and they do motor jobs for around $4-5k on European cars and such. On a Japanese car, they are easier(IMO) to work on and they usually charge like $3-4k range.

They just look up the book hours in the repair estimator software to give a price quote. Most every shop out there is going to be that amount. Now, if it's like $5-6k then you're getting reamed lol.

 

Then I must live in a cheap town. I was quoted $5k for a aristo swap. Theres a shop here (well more than one, so I would assume it was standard price) that will drop an engine for $500 bucks. $500 engine+$500 labor. $1000.

 

Check this site out http://car-part.com and also, I know you said he is your trusted mechanic but I would also shop around a little more just so that you can get peace of mind as to whether he is charging too much for his labor.

 

UPDATE!

So my mechanic found a 2000 engine with about 92k miles on it (I'm told). He replaced the timing belt tuned it and did the installation. For the first week it stuttered a little below 40 mph, then would smooth out. Autozone read the code as a misfiring 3rd cylinder. Took it to my guy and he did the repair. Since then it has been running very smoothly. Since I travel a lot in my job, I'm on my first full tank of gas and haven't compared mileage yet. Looks about the same so far. Did the 2000 engine have more hp? It seems to have a little more power, or maybe it's my imagination. However, so far, so good.

Here's my question. I got a 90 day warranty. Is there anything I should do or try to test this engine before the warranty expires? I've read about Seafoam but never tried it. I drive like a grandpa (I am one!) so I'm not about to race it or rev it real high. What would you do?