Tundra 2007 engine

I posted several months ago that I had purchased a 2007 Toyota Tundra TRD(5.7L). We knew going in there were some things that needed worked on (Catalytic Converters had been stolen the weekend before we purchased it, new tires, new windshield, and a couple of other minor things). We also had to expectedly put a new radiator in. We were told when we bought it that the engine and transmission had been replaced a year or two before and that they had about 60,000 miles on them.

We recently have noticed a few things though we had not expected. I took it to a auto repair business in town and was told that there are some oil leaks coming from the Valve Cover, Oil Pan, and Front Module (Not sure what that is), and that something has happened to the Timing Chain.

I should explain that we had noticed that when the Tundra starts up there is a rattle that lasts about 10 to 15 seconds; we were told initially that it was a spring in the starter that was just not snapping back in place like it usually does, but was slowly returning to its original position. This repair shop says it is actually something wrong with the timing chain.

So, all in all, their recommendation is to get a new engine.

I am looking for some advice...

1. If we have to replace the engine, what recommendations do any of you have? Would there be any benefit to dropping to a v6 instead of v8? Are there other engines that will fit with the existing transmission and gear train that would work?

2. Is it possible to just have those things they identified repaired without spending the equivalent of replacing the engine?

3. Any other thoughts?

I am auto illiterate, so I am concerned about getting lead down the wrong path because I don't know any better.

Thanks for any help and advice,
Jim

 

Welcome from NorCal..


First, I'd suggest you take it somewhere else... engine swap for a bad starter is like throwing out your 2 day old shoes because the laces appear dirty...

Second, starter is not on the timing chain... If you do it yourself with the assistance of YouTube and people on this site, you can replace the starter for $200, the part is available on rockauto.com, I've done it myself and it was my first major engine work type job, besides the battery and burping the coolant system.... may take a few days though..

3nd change the valve covers, clean up the engine and verify you're not leaking additional oil.. if it is, it will be easier to find once the valve cover gaskets are addressed... odds are is minor work, some people here have high mileage 5.7l, I myself am at 220k+ with only valve cover gaskets leaking, again..

 

I agree with blackdemon_tt. Go to a different shop. A starter is not hard to do yourself, but I would think it could be a pully bearing or something making that noise. Plus, you said the cat's had been cut off you might just have something loose making that noise. The fact they just guessed and didn't have anything to back up the claim is bad. If they had pulled the valve cover and said yep, look it's broke, okay I would believe them. Or had you listen as the started it so you could hear the starter making the noise, is very sus. Sounds like a very bad shop, just trying to take advantage of you. A good shop will show you what the problem is and what is broken. Shit, I'd rather get hosed by the dealer than who you went to, a least the dealer will fix the right things.

 

I would also try a different shop. That noise could be a lot of things. If you shut the motor off when warmed up and then immediately start it back up does it still make the same noise? If so then it's most likely not an oil pressure issue. I've never looked into it but I assume that there must be a tensioner and two cam adjusters for the variable timing. If it's a hydraulic tensioner then you could be hearing the chain making noise until the oil pressure boosts it up. But I don't know anyone who would swap out a motor vs replace the timing chain and related parts ($300 for aftermarket parts ???). I would expect the noise would last longer when the truck has been sitting overnight.

Does the engine burn oil? If not then I see no reason to not just fix any oil leaks. Again replacing the motor is not like replacing a tire. It's normally done when there's a major problem. Depending on the shape of the truck and mileage it may make more sense to not to repair it. Also where you live plays into it as well. If the truck has lots of rust then sinking thousands into it when it's only got a few years left without a major amount of work also doesn't make much sense. For me I would want to hear from at least one more mechanic (and get all the details in writing so you can ask other questions without trying to recall what was said) before making a decision.

 

The fuck if your engine still runs at all, I'll bet $100 you don't need a new engine. Nothing you listed can't be fixed in a couple hours. Go to a different shop, they sound like a bunch of dumbshits.

 

@jhstephenson I agree with everyone else, take somewhere else. All of those things can be fixed without a new engine for less money. If the cam towers are leaking which can be confused with valve covers, that should be addressed at the same time you get the timing chain replaced for some additional labor (if chain/tensioners are actually bad).

 

Thanks everybody. After having several people take a look, our conclusion is that the engine is fine. We have narrowed it down to something in the Timing Cable Tensioner. One suggestion has been to change the oil and make sure that we use the manufacturer's recommended oil. If that doesn't take care of it we can fix the tensioner a whole lot easier than replacing the engine.

 

Thought I ought to report back in on what happened with this issue. I ended up taking the truck to someone who has worked on other family members cars/trucks and is very much trusted. After looking things over he determined that the timing chain cable was the issue. So they began working on that. They actually sent pictures of the oil pan that showed parts that had basically fallen off of the timing chain cable into the oil pan (I can't remember if it was upper or lower). After fixing that and a few other things (miscellaneous leaks, rear shocks, etc...) everything seems to be running fine. It cost quite a bit, but not near as much as a new engine.

 

Yeah, you could buy a pull from a yard that also leaked and needed timing chain guides!