First time I’ve posted in here.. hoping for some quick help!
I own a 2013 CT with 82,000 miles. Since about mid December (which also happened to be the last time I got the car serviced at Lexus) I’ve been periodically noticing a rough engine start, and a bit of “gurgling”. But this morning, upon start, the car had a violent start and then rumbled for about 12-15 seconds while idling. Once the vehicle shifted into gear, the rumbling stopped and the car was driving smooth. However, about a mile into my drive, going about 30 mph, the check engine light flicked on. I brought the car in to get checked out. The mechanic is telling me the most cost effective option is to buy a used motor and replace the entire motor in my vehicle.. He’s telling me it’s more cost effective to replace the entire motor (around $8500….) as opposed to opening the engine up and hoping the parts can be replaced. Coolant leaking into the heads was the basis of what he was telling me. It feels abnormal for that to happen without some other reason. I baby the car, live in moderate climate, and service it always when necessary.
I’m not very well versed under the hood, but he’s telling me because this is an Atinkinson (?) motor, the metal cannot be machined, and once damaged there’s nothing that can be done to salvage the engine. Does this sound correct? I’m going to call around some other shops tomorrow, but I’m curious if you guys think:
(a) that is a correct diagnostic or if they are trying to oversell?
(b) if coolant leaking into heads renders the engine unusable?
(c) what type of costs should actually be associated with a full motor swap?
(d) shouldn’t this have been caught in December if they serviced the cooling system? (That sounds like a lot of damage to occur in a short timespan)
Thank you so much!
I own a 2013 CT with 82,000 miles. Since about mid December (which also happened to be the last time I got the car serviced at Lexus) I’ve been periodically noticing a rough engine start, and a bit of “gurgling”. But this morning, upon start, the car had a violent start and then rumbled for about 12-15 seconds while idling. Once the vehicle shifted into gear, the rumbling stopped and the car was driving smooth. However, about a mile into my drive, going about 30 mph, the check engine light flicked on. I brought the car in to get checked out. The mechanic is telling me the most cost effective option is to buy a used motor and replace the entire motor in my vehicle.. He’s telling me it’s more cost effective to replace the entire motor (around $8500….) as opposed to opening the engine up and hoping the parts can be replaced. Coolant leaking into the heads was the basis of what he was telling me. It feels abnormal for that to happen without some other reason. I baby the car, live in moderate climate, and service it always when necessary.
I’m not very well versed under the hood, but he’s telling me because this is an Atinkinson (?) motor, the metal cannot be machined, and once damaged there’s nothing that can be done to salvage the engine. Does this sound correct? I’m going to call around some other shops tomorrow, but I’m curious if you guys think:
(a) that is a correct diagnostic or if they are trying to oversell?
(b) if coolant leaking into heads renders the engine unusable?
(c) what type of costs should actually be associated with a full motor swap?
(d) shouldn’t this have been caught in December if they serviced the cooling system? (That sounds like a lot of damage to occur in a short timespan)
Thank you so much!
