Hey fellow TL folks,

I’m in a rough spot and want to run this by you all. I have a 2010 TL SH-AWD with about 460,000 km on it. Top end rebuilt by dealer under warranty around 150-200k km due to valve tick. Timing belt job done about a year ago. The other day I got a bunch of random warning lights while driving, but car kept running normal. The next morning after starting, it idled miserably (misfire or uneven) for a few seconds, then smoothed out. It drove okay but seemed power-limited (like held down RPM).

Later, I got to a gas station, tried to start it again — it cranked once and stopped. Since then it wouldn't start (cranks once then stopped). The shop in town looked at it and installed a new starter, forced it to turn over, but said it sounded bad and they determined it slipped timing.

I put a borescope into the front 3 cylinders and didn’t see obvious catastrophic damage (no visible bent valves hitting pistons, only generic scoring which I assume to be from age, one concerning mark on a Piston). I’m hoping the bottom end is still okay as it didn't happen under load/high RPM.

This is my moms old car and she gave it to me to get me through my final years of University. I don't have money for another car and i just got a fresh inspection for this car (legit less than a week before this happened lol). I am hoping this can be repaired cheaply (not worth putting a new engine in). My plan is to source a complete set of J37 used heads and install them to get a few thousand more kilometers out of the car. Before I start tearing the car apart, i want to know if this is possible/worth doing or if it is a totally bad idea. Any insight or other ideas are appreciated, thanks!

 

Can you pull the codes with a code scanner? That would provide a lot more insight into the culprit.

 

When was the last time the timing belt was changed (mileage wise) and what brand parts were used? Some aftermarket tensioners can fail as early as 60K miles!

I'd suggest you take a look at the timing marks and maybe try a leakdown test on each cyl at TDC to see what the issue is before throwing parts at it.

Also drain the oil and look for metal! It could be a spun bearing or something else.

 

First, you need a good borescope, not this. The intake valves on these engines are made of rice paper, so they can bend from the slightest contact with the piston.