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Does a blown engine mean that your car is totaled…at least from a financial point of view? Not always as pointed out in a recent Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel episode where the host discusses one option car owners should consider.
Is a Blown Engine a Blown Car?
One of the most common mistakes car owners make is deciding to ignore a check engine warning light signal on the dash thinking that it can wait until a more convenient time to take it to a garage for a diagnosis and service or repair.
In many cases you can get away with this line of thought. However, there are instances where that warning light is your car trying to tell you that something is amiss with the engine that could lead to serious and expensive damage if not taken care of right away.
Case in point: Coolant system warning that could very quickly lead to overheating and a blown engine.
Which begs the question: “If I have a blown engine (for whatever reason) does this mean it is the end of my car’s life?”
What Happens When You Don’t Pay Attention to Your Check Engine Light
The answer to this question can be exampled by what an owner of a 2016 Lexus ES350 with approximately 30,000 miles on it with an engine coolant light warning did after his inattention led to a blown engine.
As it turns out, the engine in the 2016 Lexus ES350 is the well-known Toyota 2GR-FE that has a reputation of being bulletproof as long as it is properly maintained and serviced. A beautiful car that appears to have been cared for, save for the mistake the owner made by not taking immediate action with his car’s check engine light warning.
Related article: What a Used Toyota Engine Rebuild Can Cost
Blown Engine Options
With a blown engine many garages or service centers will advise you that the car is totaled and recommend either unloading it at a salvage business or purchasing a new engine through them at a cost of several thousand dollars for the replacement―not including the labor cost which adds another few thousand dollars to the repair bill.
Worse yet for the Lexus owner, even though his car possesses a Toyota engine, he will more likely than not be charged with inflated Lexus repair pricing because….well, because it is a Lexus.
Related article: How Auto Parts Hoarding for Toyota and Other Cars Could Become a Thing
To save money from his mistake, the owner chose an option that is often overlooked: Going to a used automotive parts replacement business that often sells entire engines in good condition (with a warranty) for much less than a new replacement engine.
Related article: Used Engine Warning Questions You Should Ask Before Buying One
Pay Attention To The Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge While Driving
Follow along with the host of the Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel as he shows the great deal the Lexus owner got with a used replacement engine from the used automotive parts replacement business, LKQ Corporation―a provider of quality, high-value alternatives for the automotive replacement parts marketplace.
What is a Vehicle Dismantler Business?
While the host of the video refers to the replacement engine coming from an “engine disassembler”, what he is actually referring to is what is today’s modern salvage yard business also known as a “vehicle dismantler” business that procures used and damaged vehicles for disassembly of parts for recycling and repurposing; a crucial service within the automotive supply chain by providing cost-effective parts while at the same time being Green by promoting recycling and sustainability.
Aspects of this type of business include:
- Acquisition of Vehicles: Acquiring vehicles from insurance companies, auctions, and individual owners, which are considered non-functional or totaled.
- Dismantling: The vehicles are disassembled into salvageable usable parts that are tested and graded based on their condition and then catalogued for used auto parts searches serving auto repair shops and car owners.
- Inventory Management: Efficient inventory systems are employed to make parts searching, identification, and application easy for customers.
- Green Business Practices: This type of business qualifies as a Green Business by ensuring that non-reusable parts and materials are recycled or disposed of properly including fluids like oil, fuel, and coolant as well as other environmentally hazardous materials from airbags and batteries.
- Fulfilling Needs in the Automotive Supply Chain: A vehicle dismantler business provides cost-effective parts, while at the same time providing recycling and sustainability needs within the automotive industry.
Watch LKQ Corporation on "Earth with John Holden"
For more about what a vehicle dismantler business does and why (such as the one the host alludes to in the video above) here is an informative video about the LKQ Corporation featured on ‘EARTH with John Holden.’
For additional articles related to saving money with car repairs, here are three for your consideration:
- Everything You Need To Know About Saving Money Buying Toyota and Lexus Parts
- Avoid This High-Performance Parts Scam on Your Toyota
- Toyota Counterfeit Car Part Exposed by Mechanic
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
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Image source: Deposit Photos
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