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Last Nov 2023, I overheated my 1982 Toyota Sunrader I owned for 24 years.? Of course no brick and mortar shop would deal with something so tall and old, so finally a mobile mechanic named Will came to my driveway in San Diego.? Will determined it was a blown head gasket ?and said he would charged me $1500 to fix it.? I paid Will $700 down that he asked for, and he did get the cylinder head remachined, but the engine was already rebuilt 50K miles before.? So being that there wasn’t much room to grind, the machinest sold the mechanic a “thicker head gasket”.?

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After putting it on, Will called me Christmas Eve and said that tomorrow he would put the rest of the parts on and then take it for a test drive.? But before doing so, he “asked me a favor”.? He had earlier told me that he was living out of San Diego hotels at $225 - $325/night because he was staying with his best friend, a married woman, and her husband got jealous and kicked him out. ?Well now, Christmas Eve, he claimed he lost his debit card, therefore had no way to get a bed for the next two nights. So Will asked if I could advance him $400 for a hotel for the next two nights, till his bank would open to replace his debit card.

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? ?Being that Christmas was on Monday that year, and he had solid 5 Yelp stars, my kind-hearted soul got scammed into letting him charge my credit card for another $400 to buy him a bed for Christmas. ?So now I was out $1100.? He abandoned the job, never came back, and long story short when the credit card dispute asked that I send them a “second opinion from another mechanic”, I found out why Will abandoned the job.? He had always promised me that the engine below was not damaged “I know it isn’t ! I worked for an engine rebuilder for 5 years and I know!? Only the head gasket was blown” (I saw the piece was missing between cylinders 3 and 4).?

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Well the second opinion mobile mechanic did a compression test that showed 30 in two cylinders and 60 in the other two.? I realized at that moment when Will did his own compression test on Christmas Eve and saw the hopeless numbers, he came up with the scheme to scam this old gullible senior woman for another $400.?

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The credit card dispute did get me back the $1100.? But here we are today.? Due to putting out other fires in my life, I haven’t dealt with getting my engine replaced till now, a full year later.

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Yesterday, a local tire shop that a body shop referred me to

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found a used 22R engine for me located in LA with 155,000 miles on it for $1999, plus they quoted 8 hours labor at $150/hour to install it, totaling $3200, excluding water pump or other parts, as they have not seen my vehicle to determine other replacement needs.? Unlike other shops, the tire shop has a large lot and outdoor area to store my Sunrader.

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My VIN is JTRN44DOC0052810 , 5 spd manual trans (I changed the 4 spd to 5 spd). The engine was rebuilt before at 120K and now has 173K miles on it.? I googled Toyota 22R for sale, and come up with numerous findings for new or remanuf engines for cheaper than that used one for $2000.? An RV repair place told me about a rebuilt one for $500 or I heard of used engines for $350 are the prices people are throwing at me.? So $1999 for a used engine that? has 155,000 miles on it sounds outrageous.? Last year, when I was looking for a used engine, the reviews for the businesses selling them all had 1 star ratings, reviews described such horrible experiences in great detail, I was too afraid to do business with them, and even told them so on the phone.??

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Last year, two mechanics quoted me $5000 and $6000 to install a remanufactured engine they provide.? Later other people told me a used engine is so much cheaper.

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I don’t know what to do, and I don’t have any experience with engine replacements and what are rip off prices and what are fair prices .? I just want to get my Sunrader going so I could enjoy it.? People told me it is too risky and full of unknown issues when you rebuild an engine that has been rebuilt before.? Everyone I told this to, said "That is true".? Like already the cylinder head barely had enough room to be smoothed, so a thicker gasket had to be sold to Will.? Another mechanic said, "The thicker gasket is a red flag already!"? ?When people tell me comments like that, I feel so confused and can't take action, cos I know NOTHING.??

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Any help or feedback where to get another engine would be appreciated.?

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Location of the disabled Sunrader is La Jolla, CA? 92037

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Julia - Scottsdale, AZ

I have rebuilt and replaced several motors and I would advise you to not chance rebuilding this motor a second time. I had a similar experience with a motor that overheated really bad and I took a chance and tried to rebuild it and it only lasted 40,000 miles which is not much.

Here in San Antonio we have some large junk yards and a used motor would be $325. I have bought a couple used motors and they worked out good for me because I know what I'm doing and what to look for.?

Maybe it's time for you to cut your losses and get rid of this RV? I know that's not what you want to do but it might be best for you.?

In my opinion the best used motor you can buy is a Toyota JDM motor. I have purchased one so far and it looks really good but of course they are also really expensive for used motors and I don't know if they would have the model you require and then you would have to pay for installation which is a simple job but there are a lot of mechanics just waiting to rip off women like you and I've seen it so many times.

Good luck Julia

Unfortunately, I think your situation is caught up in a complex web of factors including:

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--General price inflation

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--The "flat rate" compensation system in the auto repair industry reaching a breaking point

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--You being older and woman (It really ***sucks*** that some shops try to take advantage of that, but they do)

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But you are armed with some information. You have a quote of 8 hours labor. You have a (ridiculous) quote of $1999

for the engine itself. You've found prices on used engines. You can use this information to negotiate.

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You can go to a shop and say, "Here's what I was quoted. The 8 hours of labor may be reasonable. The $1999 for

the engine when they're $325 retail is outrageous. What would YOU charge for this job?"

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This is going to take some leg work. It would help if you can marshal whatever resources you can to narrow

down the possibilities (friends, family, Facebook, NextDoor, Better Business Bureau, etc.).

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There are SOME decent honest shops out there. Demand for auto repairs is such even ethical businesses can

be profitable. But finding them can be daunting.

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Good luck.

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Buzz L.

San Jose, CA

Former '86 Dolphin, '89 HiLux, and '96 Tacoma owner

I just talked to Rudy at California Mini Truck.?

He has a rebuilt engine and he can do the install for about $5000 total.

This place has been around since the 70's and has been the go-to place for parts for our rigs for a very long time.?

A long tow but I think it would be worth it. He said he could have it done in about 3 or 4 days.?

Better tell him your girlfriend called for you cause he's going to know you're not me. He knows it's a Sunrader not just a truck. He had no problem with that

Linda S

Chris, the owner of this truck and RV repair been in business since 1960,

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called me today to report he found two 22R used engines.?

1.?? ?104,215 miles used engine for $2400.?

2.?? ?127,000 miles used engine for $1900.?

I bought this Sunrader Shorty with 110,000 miles on it year 2000.?

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Chris said he has 1 acre lot and the mechanics who know such old things as mine, and so he charges $175/hr labor to install.? He will give me 10% senior discount on the parts OR labor, which ever is the GREATER price.?

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When I told him people in my Toyota Motorhome forum of 5000 members, said they found 22R engines for $350, he said there are a lot of our Toyota motorhomes still out there, and so the demand for these scarce engines get the price that he is quoting (over $2000 for used) and they sell in a day or two.? Do you think that is true?? I don’t think a 22R will sit on the shelf for more than 3 weeks, even that 155,000 miles one costing $2000.

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I looked at JDM?California and San Diego, but they don't have anything "that OLD".? I need to weigh the price of a remanufactured engine, vs a used engine.? If the used ones are gonna cost $2000, as I have been quoted so far, how much is a remanufactured engine???? I assume the business that found the engine, won’t let me have it, tell me where it is, or tell me how to acquire it, unless I agree to letting them do the labor to install it.?? Isn’t that the way it goes??

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Julia - Scottsdale, AZ

Had an engine delivered from this company to our mechanic and it's been wonderful!

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Highly recommend them. It was a 94 Toyota truck engine and fit perfectly. Gasket kit addition highly recommended.

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https://www.lkqonline.com/engine-assembly?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlpjFz6mYigMVUhFECB10ggWIEAAYASAAEgKN3fD_BwE

Just so you know what Chris is all about. That engine with 104,215 miles is at El Rey salvage yard for 1400. He's adding a thousand bucks to the price. Not good

Linda S

Browsing the LKQ website is an interesting lesson in basic economics.

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I observed used engines priced as low as $366. I saw one engine priced around $10k.

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One of the $366 engines was for a Honda CR-Z. That's a comparatively rare model so one might expect the price to be higher. However,

it is also a fairly reliable and inexpensive car, so the demand for engines is quite low. I suspect a typical CR-Z owner with a blown engine

would junk the car rather than spend $5k on installing a used engine.

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On the other hand, the $10K engine was a 6.2-liter out of a 2010s-era Camaro. Between Camaro enthusiasts, GM truck enthusiasts,

and the community of car modifiers with the default strategy of "Drop an LS1/LS2/LS6 in it!" there will be enormous demand for

that engine, and LQK is pricing it accordingly.

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I suspect some of the high quotes Julia has received are partially based on the belief that a Toyota RV owner is either an enthusiast

who will pay a premium to keep their vehicle running or (and I think this may be somewhat specific to California) the owner is

living in the RV (due to the high cost of housing) and will tolerate a higher price in order to keep their "home" in running order.

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I hope Julia finds a shop with more reasonable pricing, soon.

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Buzz L.

San Jose, CAb

To me a big concern is how to handle the guarantee and warranty? situation.? Here is the prospect of spending lots of money for motor and labor and then finding out the motor does not run well or is worn out or smokes heavily or leaks oil or overheats etc.? ?I think the best source of a motor ( maybe dreaming here)? would be a wrecked Toy RV that had a good running motor in it.? ?Plucking a used motor from a salvage yard has to have its risks because how can you know what kind of condition it is in?? ?What about the companies that claim to sell rebuilt or remanufactured motors ?? ?Maybe with warranties .... I dont know.? ? This is I think similar to the situation with transmissions .....? but probably

a lot bigger.? ?I am a little surprised that your motor is a 22R? the carburated model instead of the Fuel Injection model being a 1987.? ? My RV is a 1985 model with the RE version of the engine.

why look for mh engine. it's just a pu.

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rz

Only think finding a motorhome engine would be important because RV's normally have low miles compared to a truck. Scott it says right in the title her motorhome is a 1982. Carbureted 22r was the only option back then.?

Cal minitruck handles other types of small trucks but they only rebuild Toyota engines and they've been doing it for years. Cost for towing would be less than that other guy she talked to is jacking up the price of a used motor with no guarantee. Going anywhere else just doesn't make sense to me.?

Linda S

I agree with Linda S. that Cal MiniTruck has a good reputation. ?They have installed engines for me twice previously (about 10 years ago or so) into RVs that I refurbished for resale ?They do provide a reasonable warranty. ?In each case, I had to wait for awhile, while they sourced an engine with low enough miles for my taste, and it was priced accordingly a bit higher. ?However those two particular RVs are still on the road as of last year. ?The nice feature about these guys is that they regularly scour all the SoCal auto auctions daily and will find you whatever you specifically request and then acquire it and install it. ?Their number is 909-622-1381. ?Evidently they have 2 websites. ?Here is their other one. ?

Since you don't seem to be in a hurry, I would go with them, and let them get you a replacement engine.?

Doug, I agree with you. I have been told the same by multiple mechanics from

The Toyota dealership, Midas, a Napa auto care center and on and on. Currently landlocked in st. Augustine due to this same issue and quite frankly, I’m shocked because I heard nothing but 22 RE’s were easy to work on and to find people to work on them.?

How long ago did you get that engine from LQK?? I contacted LQK San Diego and Calif both, last year and this month, but they don't have anything "THAT OLD".??

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Julia - Scottsdale, AZ

Doug H, please read my original post on Dec 6, it addresses all you brought up.

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Julia - Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Julia, I'm sorry you're not able to enjoy your RV. I have a 1985 Toyota dolphin I've had since 1999. I got lucky when I bought it because now I know fuel injection and the one ton rear end are things I would not want to do without. For the money it is gonna cost to fix your 1982 Personally I would say I would sell it as is and put the money toward a newer model that already had the rear end done and was fuel injection. Some people highly value the all fiberglass bodies that the Sun Raiders have. But on my metal sides I've had no problems except having to seal the roof items(Vents etc.) every couple years because of all the movement. As a side note I am convinced to remove all screws from roof items and just glue the vents on except the AC to prevent leaks from forming.

I would recommend taking a mostly objective look at the whole picture and determine if the interior has issues like leaks wood rot appliances that don't work cushions that need recovering plumbing issues electrical issues Etc. And decide if a newer model Could solve some of the problems you have. One thing about buying a RV of this type where they are very old find a seller that is willing to let you have the engine examined by a professional that can take compression properly and other tests to confirm the power plant is sound. Also you're 82 may not have cab AC which I find is so necessary in the desert where I live 29 palms CA. So moving up to a Slightly newer model may have other advantages. Also you may find someone that wants a sunrader specifically for the fiberglass body that wants to put it on a 4 by 4 chassis and has tons of money to trick it out.

Sorry if this is not a solution you're hoping for but we really appreciate your post on this site because we are a Toyota community take care