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View Full Version : My 4Runner Threw a ROD! *pics*


Rock Slide
06-25-2009, 06:41 PM
Technically, it’s my wife’s 4Runner, but nonetheless…

We bought this 4Runner used 3yrs ago used at a dealership in Texas w/ only 40K miles on it. Have not had a single problem out of it until now. And to think, we only owe $2,300.00 on it! Would have been paid off by the end of the year.

Specs:
2000 4Runner SR5
3.4L, Auto, 2wd
109K miles
All original


Came over to my Brother-in-law’s house to find my wife’s 4Runner parked in the street w/ a puddle of oil underneath. Popped the hood and found a hole, about the size of a silver dollar, on the passenger side of the block with internals protruding! :chair:



http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2423.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2363.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG23.jpg







Dropped the skid plate and found some of the carnage that had fallen out. BTW, these are the only 4 pieces I found:




http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2367.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2368.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2369.jpg



http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2372.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2373.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Fastluck/Rod%20Slung/CIMG2374.jpg



Thoughts??



**
slosurfer
06-25-2009, 06:45 PM
Bummer man! I don't think I've seen pics of a thrown rod on these before. Was it acting up at all before?

That hole is tiny compared to when my ford 7.5L threw a rod. :laugh: Then again, that thing sounded like it had a can full of spoons in it for a year or so before it went. :laugh:
corax
06-25-2009, 06:51 PM
That's a very strange way for a conn rod to fail :headscratch:

the conn rod bit that you found in the skid plate definately shows signs of a spun bearing (shiny scuff marks), but that probably happened after/during the rod coming apart (big end opened up and took the "crush" off the bearing allowing it to rotate in the big end).

My guess is that if you rip the oil pan off you might find some more clues as to how it went
CJM
06-25-2009, 07:29 PM
Somethings not right, Ive NEVER seen a 3.4L throw a rod unless it was mistreated or not filled with oil.
YotaFun
06-25-2009, 07:43 PM
There is definitely something wrong there.
Routine Maint?
Been getting good gas?

Any record that engine work might have been done to it?
Rock Slide
06-25-2009, 08:29 PM
Oil only had about 5K on it and it was still clean! Plus it was full...not low at all.

BTW, all routine maint has been done (minus tbelt job) and the vehicle has been running strong since the day we bought it. Again, this just came out of no where. My wife baby's this 4Runner.

My Brother-in-law just drove it up the road a 1/2 mile to pick up his son from daycare. Said he heard a loud pop on the way back and just barely made it back to the house b/c the vehicle was shaking so bad. And BTW, he's not the "hot dog" type either, so I know he didn't do anything stupid.
Rock Slide
06-26-2009, 12:50 PM
Ok, here's an update on the motors I've found thus far...that are within reason of course:

One yard has a motor w/ 80K miles from a '00 4Runner for $1,850 + core.

Another yard has 2 motors...both out of a 2000:

122K miles - $975

118K miles - $1100

Both come w/ a 6mon warranty. No core charge.

122K motor sounds like it could be the one.
MTL_4runner
06-26-2009, 03:24 PM
Ok, here's an update on the motors I've found thus far...that are within reason of course:

One yard has a motor w/ 80K miles from a '00 4Runner for $1,850 + core.

Another yard has 2 motors...both out of a 2000:

122K miles - $975

118K miles - $1100

Both come w/ a 6mon warranty. No core charge.

122K motor sounds like it could be the one.




I'd care less about the mileage on the motor and more about how well it was taken care of. If you can afford the time and they aren't too far away, go see the motors in person and have a look under the oil cap on each. When you shine a flashlight down into the internals you'll see who did their regular oil changes and who didn't. I managed to get a beauty of an engine that had almost no oil sludge or residue to speak of (someone obviously was using synthetic for a long time in that motor). The motor has performed flawlessly ever since.

It's unfortunate but I have see a few 3.4L motors throw rods. It's definately rare and I'm sorry to hear about what happened to you. Follow my thread for what I did to finally replace mine if you are going to be doing the work yourself or will be advising a mechanic on what you want done.

Link to my HG job and motor swap:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=2241.0

If you have any questions beyond what's there, I can definately help you out on the process.
Rock Slide
06-27-2009, 07:18 AM
Thanks for the advice Jamie.

I'll check out your thread too.