# Repair or Replace? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** used, tacoma, engines, toyota\ **Created:** [March 29, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835 "2010-03-29T19:36:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HollisterJohn111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@HollisterJohn111](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HollisterJohn111)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/1 "2010-03-29T19:36:13Z")
The engine on my '99 Toyota Tacoma just seized. (I’ll blame myself, I’ve let my son drive it to work the last few months and I haven’t been monitoring oil levels nor sent it in for a change.) The truck’s a manual transmission type with 248,000 miles, and has been perfectly reliable. And the shop says $9,000 to install a low-mileage used engine, including machining the flywheel, plus do brakes and shocks (overdue by now on shocks). That seems like a lot of money, when I found used engines from $800 to $1,600 on one website. Anyone have a feel for whether nine grand is about right for the work described? Thanks much ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/2 "2010-03-29T19:46:24Z")
I would say goodbye and sell it for parts. On your next vehicle, I would teach your son elementary car care. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/3 "2010-03-29T20:07:16Z")
Sell it and don’t look back. 9K is too much money to put into a 99 model Tacoma since that’s way above retail book value. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/4 "2010-03-29T20:18:38Z")
Way too much. I know it was a few years ago but I had a GM Goodwrench reman diesel long block installed in my Olds at the dealer for $2400 total. If you can get a good used engine for $1000 or so, find another shop to install it. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/5 "2010-03-29T20:25:46Z")
I would think you could get the engine swap done for $3k, maybe, but even then it’s not worth it, given the possibility for headaches from the work or problems with the used engine. I’d move on. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/6 "2010-03-29T20:32:05Z")
It might be worthwhile to shop around as Bing recommended. Although I rarely install used engines a friend/competitor specializes in doing so and has a great reputation. It would appears he marks up the engines 100%. ---
**Author:** ![HollisterJohn111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@HollisterJohn111](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HollisterJohn111)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/7 "2010-03-29T23:24:14Z")
Thanks to all. Confirms my gut-check on cost. Now I have to decide if it’s worth it to shop around. Hard to let go sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/8 "2010-03-29T23:28:47Z")
No way would I sink 9 grand in this thing. Check around with a reputable salvage about an engine. Some yards will also install what they sell for a nominal fee or refer you to a local shop they may deal with on a regular basis. It would seem to me this work could be done for far less than what you’ve been quoted. Before going that deep into 4 figures I’d do a Chevy 350 conversion. ---
**Author:** ![cabella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@cabella](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cabella)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-replace/46835/9 "2010-03-29T23:38:30Z")
9,000 you can buy a new used truck. no way ! shop around, look for a garage to work with you and get a good warrenty with the engine. your online quotes are much more in line with reality. I would tell the mechanic that gave you the quote to pound sand.