Hi AcuraZine members,
I am posting on behalf of my dad regarding my stepmom's car,
as seen in the title we got a dead engine, the cause of this is that the engine was running without oil. She didn't notice anything until the engine stopped and the car got towed away (I only know this from her talking to me).
The repair shop person told me that the dip stick didn't indicate any oil, he filled in 3x quarts of oil and still didn't get any sign of oil on the dip stick.

I don't know how but apparently she didn't notice the oil light indicator (red light near the dash). I am not very familiar with the car so I don't even know where the red light would be.

Obviously we are looking into replacing the engine, since we purchased the car a little over a month ago.
The car is currently standing at a local shop who is also good friend of ours, who inspects and maintenance my dad cars.

The car:
2004 Acura TL, V6 3.2 J32A3, 5AT

Does anyone done this before? Where should we look for an engine etc.? Should I rather try to find one local?

On ebay I saw recycle/ engines from salvage cars running
around $650 to $1100.
My dad is keep telling me that we end up paying $9000 for an engine, except I don't see anywhere an engine for that kind of a price, unless its supercharged.

To me: I am from the Subaru world (don't hate me), I am driving a Saab 9-2x (based of Subaru Impreza wagon). I am mechanically inclined enough to do all maintenance on my car.

Thanks for all your response,


d4rkv

 

Check salvage yards in your area. You just might get lucky.

There's also car-part.com.

Good luck ............
.
.

 

Hopefully we do, I will search the area here then.
I also posted in the general forum about the car, me, etc.

Here is also a picture about the car the day I pick her up.

 

I know that feeling.

Just replaced my engine. On my 04 TL. It had 128,000 miles on it
Got one with 58,000 miles on it for 950.00

Got it through my mechanic who got it some how trough an auto parts store??

When I was looking for a replacement I went to LKQonline.com good place to start.

I still have the engine with the 128,000 miles on it. And I'm going to try to sell it to buy some coilovers and tires.

Good luck man!

 

Thanks regarding the info LKQonline.com, congrats on the great deal about the 58k for $950. I hope to come across something like this.

We are definitely looking for a lower miles engine, also willing to pay some extra.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the TL.

As a technician for 10 years and having been a technician for Acura a suggestion to anyone that purchases a used vehicle, is almost a must to take it in right away for a safety inspection and at least an oil change. Almost all of the time a lot of used vehicle's are sold for a "Great" price because the owner know's about some costly repairs needed. Another "Almost all of the time" is the basic service as in oil changes are about due, DUE or WAY over due. People's thought process is "If selling car, why put a penny into it".

Anyway here are some listings. Best of luck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-04-05...6ca4ba&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-Acura-TL-...a380e4&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-05-06-Acu...901e97&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-MOTOR-V6-6-CYL-3-2L-2004-2005-2006-04-05-06-ACURA-TL-147961-/171123845272?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d7c6a898&vxp=mtr

 

Good luck! That's strange that she didn't notice the light? But it is a new car for her, maybe she thought it was normal. Did you tear down the engine yet?

 

Update.

Engine is out, our mechanic said that one of the piston was loose and is hitting the cylinder head.

Alright we already bought an engine and it will go in by this weekend.

used engine:
80k miles, 1year warranty, same year for $950

Car (she) will run again next week.

And as I mention in my new member thread, we will prevent from let this happen again. On the other hand, me and my dad was very surprised that this engine was so considerable cheap to replace.

For now everything seems work out well, I will keep you here updated.

Thanks for all your input, I also found already out from the "search" function here how to change time belt, but I think my dads mechanic will do it.


d4rkv