So, 12 months ago I spent 2700 on a V6 Vienta 1996 Toyota Camery. Nice looking car, good runner! That's over a months pay for me, so IMO a lot of money.
9 months later I was stuck on the side of Tonkin and Read Hwy intersection with a blown head gasket!
After much frustration, I made the decision to dive into my remaining savings to fix the car.
I paid 2500 to get the engine replaced with one from Japan- they also replaced the timing chain, pumps, thermo stat & plugs.
I was quoted up to 4500, at 3 places- much more to get my broken engine shaved and repaired.
4 months later, tonight.
I find myself tonight on the side of Karrynup road, having only driven 9000 Kms with another blown head gasket.
In that case they did something wrong. (Presuming it had coolant and oil in it lol)
A head gasket will only blow that fast if they did not machine the head flat, the head gasket was faulty, or the head bolts were incorrectly torqued.
I'd argue it with them til blue in the face - cos HG's go for 200,000 most of the time.
Are you sure the head gasket has gone? How have you checked?
$4500 to have the heads cleaned up and replaced? Wow, that is expensive.
I haven't had to do this sort of work on a modern engine, but this makes owning an 'old' iron block engine a dream in comparison.
Time to get out the Gregorys and learn how to do it yourself :) Cars can be an expensive business if you can't do some of it yourself or filter out the crazy quotes.
I know fark all about mechanics.
My late old man was a mechanic.
He used to blow up at me when I told him I only change the oil when the warning light has been on for a month. 
I'm not sure how long a warranty would run for, but consumer affairs- or whatever they are called these days- state goods should be fit for purpose, and have a reasonable service life.
I recently read the regulations regarding this but have no idea where [might well have been on seabreeze]
sorry I cant give better detail- brain is a bit foggy from oxyzombiethingo pills.
stephen
My Dad use to work for Toyota,so here's his advice.
Sorry to say this,but if you do a search on Camry V6 head gasket's,you will soon see that the V6 Camry motor is prone to doing heads and head gaskets,some were even done under warranty when they were new.
Check to see if your radiator was cleaned and flushed after you had all that work done,as what tends to happen is that all the "gunk" from inside the engine gets disturbed or metal filings partially blocks the radiator,which then causes the engine to overheat,which then causes the cylinder heads to crack.or head gasket to fail.
My brother in law, is a mad Toyota fan, and believes nothing can go wrong with them. Good to see that they have the same problems as other manufacturers, but strangely, nowhere near the same bad press when they do.
Think you've all missed the bit where he said the engine was replaced. Sounds like a reco engine where they've done timing belt etc as part of the reconditioning. But they wouldn't have taken the head off, therefore not liable for 2nd HG blowing.
If the replacement engine blew a head gasket I'd guess one of two things underoath:
*bad luck, 2nd engine was due to go soon as well.
or
* something non-engine/head related causing it to happen.
Common thing which could be to blame is a hose or a metal part of the water cooling system develops a tiny pinhole leak, sometimes it only opens at full temperature due to expansion. Water sprays out on highway, fine mist so you don't see anything. Engine fine at highway speed due to air flow cooling, temp guage stays at/near normal. Overheats the minute you slow down. If you have blown HG twice right after coming off highway, this would be my guess.
^^^ that's only if you keep an eye on temp guage as you drive and it's never moved. If it's been up n down a bit then what flying ant said.
+1 for toyotas being only as good as other big brands, they still have common faults.
Saw that as well-it will be a "Jap import" engine,which are normally low km's engines(but not always the case). They still need to be flushed out before installing,as these engines have normally been laying around for years.
I would not have replaced the head, or engine, on a $2700 car.
Should've just bought another cheap banger.
where you working now underloath! spend some coin and purchase something with turn key reliability. Ex government 6 months statutory warranty if you cant get th remainder of a new car warranty. count your losses and upgrade bro.Just got the misses a ve wagon with 6 months new car waranty with 70,000 on the clock for $16,000
100 bucks a week for that turn key reliability is well worth spent ! Give away the old cars.
www.manheim.com.au/passenger-vehicles/for-sale/wa?SaleType=Y&page=1&navType=P
www.pickles.com.au/cars/fixed-price/-/listing/searchItems?fromController=default&saleId=&refineSearch=&clearFormValues=true&selectedItemTypeId=&makeId=&modelId=&locationDescriptionId=Perth&city=Perth&suburb=&state=&fromYear=&toYear=&keyword=&priceRange=All&damaged=EXC&sortBy=DESCRIPTION
Reserve on government (what the car is really worth) If you dont like it resell it cant go wrong ! !
My reply was from when the O.P said he had 3 quotes that were expensive then went with the $2500 one. THEN it was edited to say the cheaper option was a low km's import motor.
Now I know it was not a rebuild - well waaayyy different story.
Should still have some form of warranty? Even our second hand motors from the wreckers over here have a 6month warrant that covers poor workmanship. I say a quick call to consumer affairs would be a good start.
Most likely it's fully warrantied, parts only, no labor.
They will gladly give you another engine when you return the old one.
Although im not a big fan of getting a Loan I think that a decent car with turn key reliability is a valuable asset and over time will make its money back. A small loan for a reliable car that gets you to work and dosent break down is an asset.
Same you dont windsurf else you'd have to buy one of these to transport you 7 boards 6 sails 9 adults and 16 dogs. haha
What he is saying is that older model Toyota's(and most other Jap motors)need the engine oil to be changed regularly.The oil will solidify inside the engine,which then blocks the oil pickup screen in the sump,which will then starve your engine of oil,then it's broken down on the side of the road.I've seen inside some sumps when removed from the engines, where the oil has turned solid,hence the motor has seized,and normally on the back of a towtruck.
Did they remove and service your radiator when they replaced the engine?
You need to try and find out what's caused it if you want to try and get some sort of reimbursement.
If it's something that the installer has missed when fitting the second hand engine then they may help you out in some way.
Generally on second hand motors you'll get a 3 month/5000k warranty. (whichever comes first)
I'd be checking Radiator for partial blockage, thermo fans for correct operation and thermostat to start with...
Talking about missing oil changes-engine starts blowing blue smoke,then some people try putting a oil engine flush thru it,which removes the build up of sludge,but that sludge in most cases blocks the oil pickup in the sump.You only have to drive it a short distance before the crankshaft bearings fail and the crank looses it's hard casing,then noisy rattly engine,which is what most people hear/comment on when they put a flush thru there motor.
