So, maybe you saw my other thread where my engine is no good anymore and I will be putting in a used one.

interesting story on what has happened so far:

I get ahold of a wrecking yard...they tell me they have a 2007 GS350 motor, 84k miles for $2,000. I ask the guy for the vin number on the motor so I can see if the recalls have been done...nothing. He tells me he will get back to me next week. Next week comes, I ask for the vin again, then he says the motor was already sold. they don't have it anymore...hmmmmm.

He turns me on to another guy who says they have one from a 2008 with only 32k miles on it. They even give me the vin number. I chek cthe vin, it says salvaged at 45k miles. OK...not bad, $2,500 out the door is dooable. I ask the guy today before they deliver it if the vin on the motor is going to match the vin on the car. He tells me no problems...it will match. they come to deliver the motor...and guess what!?!?! The vin number is different. I ask the guy to wait while I check it...80k miles. I check the servie history all recalls done, but I am feeling pretty crappy about the deal.

I look at it closer, the flywheel is badly risted, but the engine is spotless. One of the cam actuators is broken...ok, but then I notice a rag in the timing chain cover...there is a two inch whole in it. I take the oil cap off and there it is super dirty; way worse then mine and gritty inside.

Anyways, I rejected the engine...it just gave me that funny feeling where things just don'e look right. I am pretty confident I did the right thing.

So, I am looking for a used engine for my car. Any thoughts on a reputable place that won't kill me? I would like to find something with less than 85k miles if at all possible.

It looks like any 2007 through 2010 GS350 and many of the IS350s will work.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance...

 

http://car-part.com/

 

Craigslist


http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...592911926.html

 

eBay has a lot

 

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/5596861468.html

 

How about checking with a place that specialist in Japanese\importing engines? Maybe someone in California has one in stock.

 

Try calling your nearest LKQ, this is a huge company probably the largest network in the US. So you can rest assure the mileage and vin will be accurate. If they dont have it they can send it to any location near you.

This locations shows they have several low mileage engines.

LKQ-Keystone- Stockton USA-CA(Stockton) Request_Quote 1-800-424-2002

 

Well, that is the one that I ended up going with.

They had a 18k miles engine that was meticulously maintained by the owner at the dealerships. I added the vin number to the my Lexus thing on the Lexus website and I could see if there were any outstanding TSAs on it. You can also see the maintenance that was done.

In looking through the history, it was a 2010 IS 350 convertible that only was driven 5k a year.

I will be saving some money, as this motor has only 18k miles, I am going to leave the tensioner pulley, water pump, thermostat an other stuff on the engine without replacing them.

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

Hi, just a quick question, I do have GS 350 and was wondering how easy it is for a mechanic to swap the engine. is it tricky? does it need ECU programming? would an average mechanic be able to do it?