Hi all, the engine in my 2011 IS350 needs to be rebuilt or replaced, and the dealership is recommending replacement due the unknowns once they start working on the engine.

I've found a low mileage 2GR-FSE from a 2006 toyota crown, but I'd like to know if there's any problem swapping it into my car? My car is AWD, and I don't know if there's any difference in the transmission bolt pattern, engine mount locations, etc.

 

What is / are causes for the dealership recommending engine rebuilt / replacement ?

 

Head is leaking through the intake ports on cylinder 5 and needs machining. Compression tests are showing a variance of 30 psi between cylinders and the vehicle is burning oil more than an acceptable level.

Dealership have offered to re-ring the cylinder but they're worried (as am I) there could be other issues once they start tearing into the bottom end.

The cost to replace the engine with used will be lower, even assuming re-ringing is the only thing required.

 

I don't recommend you rebuild the 2GR it's cheaper to replace, and given the problem your engine has you might pull the engine apart and find out it can't be repaired. To find out if a given engine fits your car post the VIN of your car vs. the donor it's the only way to know for sure.

 

I got myself a 2011 IS350AWD and previous owner said similar things... Head gasket change or a new engine due to overheating issue (long story but there was more issues to over heating than the head gasket but the root cause was the blown head gasket). I diagnostic it and it was head gasket leak (loosing coolant and misfire in Cyl#5). If your engine is eating oil, then scope each cylinder through spark plug holes and see if you see clear wear marks (shiny spots, vertical grooves etc.).... If you do not see clear wear marks on cylinders, then that's a good thing... How much it burns oil?

I did coolant system compression test through the rad cap and pressure dropped due to the blown head gasket...

 

Bank #1, Cyl#5 at the left

 

If if turns out a blown head gasket... it does not mean that your block nor heads are warped (i.e. no machining needed).... I measured mine, even with reported "overheating" -issue... the block and the heads were within specs.

 

You got lucky (not a bad thing of course). 2GR block and heads are strong but if they are run long enough with a HG leak into a cylinder or two the cylinder walls get washed and you end up with scoring.

 

Mine was "over heating" a bit and only few times... and then it was not driven anymore ...hence buying it . I knew where I was getting myself into and accepted risks associated with it... Only time will tell how lucky I got....

 

I see ring wear marks but still good crosshatch your engine will likely be fine. To put thing in perspective if you watch this channel (highly recommended) it's rare for him to tear down a bad Toyota engine simply because they rarely fail especially to the point of engine parts exiting out of the block. That's why the V35 failing is so noteworthy you'll never see a 2GR eat it's main and rod bearings unless from lack of oil via giant leak.

edit - here one he did

 

Totally agree... I have seen that video, good video. I have that engine on my truck (3UR-FE).... 390tkm on it (2011) and does not eat oil at all. But I have changed oils every 8tkm on it... Hence to the original thread question... how much oil the engine eats? If none, very good... if it eats a bit... what does that mean? 1dl, 1 liter... 1 liter per 8000km... 1liter per 1000km...

Leaking head gasket is one thing... Engine eating oil (excessively) is whole new ball game... Just recommend to do all possible checks on that engine before, root cause it, and then make a call what path to take. My IS350 AWD, does not eat oil either not leak anymore (it was leaking but it is re-sealed now) but I took a risk when buying it ...

Good 2GR videos....

 

We've troubleshooted everything over the last 2 weeks, engine replacement is the path forward. Just need to confirm the 2GR-FSE fits. I'm assuming it's only a matter of swapping the oil pan and intake manifold, but I'd love to know if someone has already done it.

I did a part search through toyota and Lexus and the part numbers are the same, but you never know.

 

Only 2GR swaps I've done is stuffing them in a totally different car like the MR2. Part number searches for engines is iffy, even a same part number block might have differences. For the 2GR-FSE probably not they all seem to be the same but I don't want to say they are and be wrong.