willmccarthy

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice. In the end I got the engine replaced by a wreckers called Imlach's in Clayton. Cost was $2500 for an engine which had done 50,000km, labour was $770 and there was a few other bits and pieces for another $200 or so. Overall very happy with the job these guys did, would highly recommend them. Service and communication was outstanding and a 6 month warranty on the new engine and the work to top it off. Cheers.

Hi all, my 2004 Camry Altise 2.4L automatic has badly blown a head gasket and barely can be driven. My mechanic in Melbourne is telling me that he has looked at the inside of the cylinders with a boroscope and the damage is beyond repair at a reasonable cost, and therefore the engine needs to be replaced. He is telling me that it will cost $4300 approx. for a second hand engine (if he can find one) or a new engine can be bought from Toyota for $5500; in either case he will charge about $1500 for labour to install. Are the prices he is quoting me realistic? The third option he is giving me is that he will buy the car as is for $1000. None of these 3 options are particularly appealing to me, can this engine replacement be done at a more reasonable price? As the car is in good shape apart from the engine I would be keen to keep it if it can be repaired at a reasonable cost. Any advice would be appreciated, Will