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How to pick a JDM engine seller

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by chaddarack, Sep 12, 2023.

  1. chaddarack

    chaddarack Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2023
    26
    8
    3
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I bought from a dealer in Florida. The engine was not what I saw pictured, it had sand in the grooves between intake ports and some aluminum corrosion on the external surfaces. Also the water outlet on the top right side was different than pictured and different than the gen4 Prius motor.

    After looking at motor diagrams for the Japanese makes on Yoshi parts(?) I realized the JDM uses a different water outlet with an additional electronically controlled valve. Since I didn’t have a plug for that valve, I deleted the Japanese extras with a US version water outlet.

    The engine held compression and the cylinders and piston head looked clean and even new. The testing and prep work were lengthy to get off the corrosion (probably from transport overseas) and WD40 ended up being the best product for that.

    I have over 25k miles on that gen4 JDM, and it consumes no oil whatsoever! Now I’m swapping out the brake booster and accumulator that went out, still hoping for another 50-80k miles!
     
  2. chaddarack

    chaddarack Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2023
    26
    8
    3
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I got mine from Sunshine JDM on EBay from Florida. See my previous post for more info. It turned out ok for me.
     
  3. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Honestly most people would junk the car but what you've done is extremely environmentally sound and fiscally prudent. You really can't buy 80k miles for a couple k in depreciation on a newer car and you've got a known quantity with your current vehicle.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,289
    39,046
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Tom you’re unreadable lol. I suspect “lake” is “late” (short for late-model), “sky lines” might be “Scions”, maybe. Try typing fer chrisakes?