A_Username_Here

Hey all, first time posting sorry for formatting errors etc.

The engine on my 2014 TL SH-AWD (J37A4) W/ Automatic Transmission seems to have finally went.
There was a lifter issue that was causing oil to be burnt at a very rapid rate, I tried going through the dealership and warranty (which I paid 3K extra for) and they basically told me they wouldn't help me at all because I didn't save my oil change records (f*** them)
I didn't have enough money to fix the lifter issues and instead just kept adding oil.

Fast foward to now (a year later) and it seems to have spun a bearing. Based on the sound a rod might even be bent. Long story short, the engine is completley f***ed (opinon of multiple shop and backyard mechanics who diagnosed it)

My questions is this: What is my best route to getting the car back on the road? I need it (desperatley) for work etc.

• Should I try to rebuild / overhaul my current engine as long as the block isn't cracked?
• Should I try to source a junkyard engine and swap it in?
• A junkyard offered to give me a J37 bottom end for $400 but they aren't sure what condition it's in, should I grab this and then try to source new heads?

I'm beyond confused, financially in despair, have bad credit due to poor decisions earlier in life, and have no means of income without this car.

Any help at all would be appreciated.

Best,
A_Username_Here

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the easiest and quickest option would be to get a junk yard motor.. it comes with a 30-60-90 day warranty (depending on the junk yard).

another option would be to buy a beater for $1500-2k.
if you absolutely need a car to get money, this is what I would do. buy a beater.

A_Username_Here

Understood. Thank you very much for the advice

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the more that I think about it, the more the $2k beater makes sense. you could have a car TODAY.

Good luck to you, sir.

A_Username_Here

In terms of time you are absolutely correct, a beater seems like my best option to get on the road / back to work asap.
My only concern with this route is reliability, as the car would need to be able to travel 100's of highway miles. The other issue is the fact that I'm still financing the TL, owe 14k on it still (and it's only worth 8-10k KBB in full running condition). Thus, if I did accquire a beater, I'd still be paying the bank monthly for the TL, even if I removed the insurance from it

You make a valid point though, a beater would indeed be the quickest way. Thank you very much for your input

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

a '90's camry/avalon would be reliable enough to take on the task.. '90's Kias and '90's saturns would also be reliable to take you to work.
I would stay away from anything american in this early/late '90's era.

either way; you're going to be paying off the TL regardless if you have a working car or not.
Go to work today? or keep fiddling with the TL and maybe get it on the road in a few weeks to a month

A_Username_Here

Understood, will look into a camry/avalon as well as 90's kia's / saturn's

Yes you make a great point. Thank you very much for all your help, much obliged.

dopeboy1

Something to consider is that your car in good working condition is worth far more than KBB says in this current car market.

A_Username_Here

Indeed thank you for your input

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

swap the engine with a junk yard motor and sell it for $14k!



and then rock the $2k beater until you can get on your feet.

vertigo2

This all day long...if you can find a $2k beater that's good enough for your long drive. Used car values are completely out of whack right now.

csmeance

with the lifter/cam messed up it probably sent metal flakes through the whole engine, and there is only so much the oil filter can stop. The bandaid fix of adding oil made the problem worse. Adding a new bearing and cleaning up the crank won't do much since the top end is still messed up (cam).

A new engine is your best bet, or a used one if you can find one that doesn't burn oil and have the same issue. Your engine and components are pretty much trashed. Flakes went through the whole thing damaging a lot of surfaces. Simply putting in a new cam, new crank and praying won't do much as you'll still have worn piston rings that are letting oil by.

Sadly you only option is to get a used or new engine; maybe you should talk to your finance company and let them know whats going on, if you have gap insurance (for the car payments) and the car is mechanically totalled (by your auto insurance company) you could walk away from it. Contact your insurance company and find out if you have full coverage (usually required with a car note) and gap insurance. Don't tell them you cooked the engine!! New engine from acura will be at least 6K + Labor.