Dead Prado 120

[doctorflat Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close doctorflat]

I have a 2008 diesel 120 auto that has given 15 years or so of faithful service and lots of outback travel. Approximately 231,000 km on the clock.

Returning from a most relaxing holiday in WA and SA when the fun stopped and the journey was completed on the back of a truck compliments of RACV.

It appears the engine has developed a hole in the front piston with no compression. Ouch!

Options so far are install new Toyota engine in the crate with new injector pump etc and new turbo at $25,000 or rebuild with new injector pump and turbo at $18,000.

A world of pain!

Prado is fitted out for outback travel with OME suspension, S/T Maxx tyres (x6), bull bar, Warn winch, Drifta drawers and Tradesman roof rack.

Opinions please of the options I have mentioned. Sounds simple at first until I start contemplating rebuilding another vehicle from scratch.

Thanks all.

Peter

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Big money for an old car. Perhaps a good second hand motor from a wrecker?

[KRH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close KRH]

Wrecker is your friend especially those in QLD where the Prado's seem to get written off frequently from crashes/rollovers etc

[RPP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RPP]

If done extensive outback Kms on tracks and corrugated gravel highways, then also consider the accumulated metal fatigue and wear in the drive train, suspension mountings, tie rods, steering, wheel bearings etc.

I've seen a few older vehicles with broken axle housings, shocker mounts, cooked transmission. Owners' anxiety levels maxed out many 1,000Kms from home and facing $5-10K+ in recovery and transport to get themselves and everything else back home.

Its a write-off. However, do you want to drive it for another 15years+ to make it worth the CAPEX??

If you decide to keep it and replace the engine with new or rebuilt, then consider also doing a mechanical survey ahead of a bigger re-fit. Otherwise, I'd remove re-usable accessories and sell the rest to the highest bidder.

Try a second hand 2021 or later model. They are the best of the 150s IMO.

[xliney Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close xliney]

It’s a bit late but…is the hole in the piston confirmed.? I was advised that mine most likely had a similar issue and not waste money tearing the engine down to confirm. Anyway after going thru similar options and hand wringing like you. Decided to test what could be done, anyway. the head was removed and we found a hole in the head gasket between cyls 2 and 3. Machined head, tested injectors, check valves, check cooling system all good, repaired for $3500. Most advice was to write it off, but ultimately that would have been a poor choice. Good luck,