Hello all --

We have been offered a 1998 Toyota Tercel and need to find out if it will be worth fixing.

My niece had the oil changed, the plug was left off and the oil drained out. She continued driving and damaged the engine.

Now there is a very loud tapping sound which we take to be a bent piston/valve damage problem.

The car is in good condition otherwise.

So, does anyone know how difficult it would be to replace the valve? Replace the engine? Could we replace the engine with a non-Toyota engine -- would everything line up OK? DH is a handy guy but we are not sure if he should tackle this or if we'd need a mechanic.

The engine was, as far as we know, made in Canada.

Suggestions welcomed!

Thanks for your time.

Nance

If you ran it out of oil, chances are it is a connecting rod bearing that is making the noise.
The crank is probably damaged, so you would be better off looking for another engine.
The best part of a Toyota is the engine, so I wouldnt even consider trying to put any other make in.
As far as changing it, if you like I can send you the instruction for changing it, and you can decide for yourself whether or not it is something you would want to try.
Hope this helps.

trypolar@hotmail.com

If you could send the information about changing the engine, that would be a big help. My email is marbleface@bellsouth.net if that's what you need.

I have a question that has been bugging me though. In looking for a replacement engine -- rebuilt or used -- my sister-in-law and niece were told that this car was built in Canada and that would mean a different, and more expensive, engine would be needed. As opposed to it being built in Japan? I don't know.

Does this make sense to you?

From what I can see, it is a 5E-FE engine.

Is that something we could get from a junk yard, do you think? Or would we need to order from somewhere?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Nance