4Y refurb or fong kong replacement???

[Josh Edwards]

Hi Guys

My 4Y has 270 000km on it now and I'm unsure on whether I should replace it with a fong kong or have it refurbished. I don't have the knowledge to do a refurbishment myself which is why I was considering a midas 4Y and then using my Toyota accessories. It worries me that if I have it refurbished a proper job won't be done and I will just end up having more problems. I know 270 000km is nothing for a Hilux but I've had endless trouble with my motor and bad experience with the mechanics who were supposed to fix the problems...

Blown head gasket. . Twice!
Fuel pump packed up
Starter packed up
Voltage regulator intermittent
Tappet cover gasket leaking
Front and rear main seals leaking
Sump gasket leaking
Engine missing under load

All of which was sorted and is still haunting me again now

Any advice would be great !

Thanks
Josh

[pietpetoors]

Think cost will be the main factor especially if you "have" it refurbished.

You must hope you use somebody who knows what he is doing, because not everybody can assemble an engine to last another 500,00km, especially if their working space is not clean.

To have it refurbished might cost you double or 3 times of what an imported engine will cost you, and as I said, if you get an ass to refurbish it you will pay more and be worse off.

[Josh Edwards]

Thanks Piet, I think I will end up going the fong kong route and just use all my original accessories. I got a price of R10 900 from Mikes Place which seems very reasonable. I'm not sure if it is chinese or korean but I assume they all chinese nowadays. Going to start stripping next month and do a re-spray when I do the engine swap. Will start a thread when I begin and keep updated with pics

[Josh Edwards]

By the way my father in law built my canopy using your design on the forumn

[Family_Dog]

I would say Fong Kong engine, but you're in CT, so then i would rather suggest that you take it to Hoppy for a proper repair. The reason I bought Fong Kong was because I did not trust the chaps here as well, although I did overhaul my 4Y as well just in case.

-F_D

[LouisZ]

A Complete Refurb will be about R8250

This is for;
1. Redo Head
2. Bore cylinders 1 size bigger
3. Pistons and rings oversize, connecting rods
4. Block skim
5. Complete gasket set(All gaskets and seals)
6. All bearings(big ends, small ends, main)
7. Crank cut
8. Oil
9. Anti freeze.

New Head,Block sump goes for R8950

[Josh Edwards]

@Family_Dog: Thanks, I have been reading only good things about Hoppy so I think I will send him a pm and see when he can have a look at it for me. I want to be able to overland with my vehicle with peace of mind that my engine is in top shape! I had it up for sale on the forum but have since removed it, there was interest but nothing really took off. I'm going to get the Hilux sorted and use it for what it was built for.

@Louis: Thanks Louis, That seems cheaper than me buying a fong kong and then all my consumables, seals etc ontop! I'm going to speak to Hoppy because if I can get my original 4Y overhauled and living up to their reliable reputation again I will be a happy man

[Wave]

I may be incorrect, but I saw a brand spanking new fong kong 4Y wrapped up in plastic, complete @ Turbo Toys in Boksburg for R8500.

Maybe give them a call and find out the final price

[LouisZ]

There are Fong Kongs and there are good quality ones. Just beware.

Josh is there other outstanding problems except the performance on the engine that stands out? i.e Does it still have problems with the Cooling?

If not keep the Engine as is. Don't open it if it is not necessary.

[Tarquin]

A Complete Refurb will be about R8250

This is for;
1. Redo Head
2. Bore cylinders 1 size bigger
3. Pistons and rings oversize, connecting rods
4. Block scheme
5. Complete gasket set(All gaskets and seals)
6. All bearings(big ends, small ends, main)
7. Crank cut
8. Oil
9. Anti freeze.

New Head,Block sump goes for R8950

90 % of the time you don't have to replace con rods, skim block and cut crank.
unless you already have a big end knock, then you'll have to cut crank

[Josh Edwards]

@Geoff: Thanks I will keep that in mind!

@Louis: The only other problem is I'm getting white smoke from the exhaust upon startup and lasts about 15-20 minutes after, I've been thinking that this could just be condensation in the pipe maybe but it is also using coolant, which makes me think head gasket again. On downhills in gear with no accelerator input I'm getting minor missing/popping from the exhaust, which is more noticeable when the lux is loaded with more weight.

@Tarquin: Thanks Tarquin I will see what Hoppy says, but right now I'm very lost on what to do!

[Josh Edwards]

Oh and Louis, I'm getting white smoke as soon as I release the accelerator pedal, not while under power

[Agteros]

@Geoff: Thanks I will keep that in mind!

@Louis: The only other problem is I'm getting white smoke from the exhaust upon startup and lasts about 15-20 minutes after, I've been thinking that this could just be condensation in the pipe maybe but it is also using coolant, which makes me think head gasket again. On downhills in gear with no accelerator input I'm getting minor missing/popping from the exhaust, which is more noticeable when the lux is loaded with more weight.

@Tarquin: Thanks Tarquin I will see what Hoppy says, but right now I'm very lost on what to do!

I think it is 99% sure its your headgasket - I had exactly, but exactly the same problem.

Here was mine at the time:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9510" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Josh Edwards]

Thanks Hugo! Read the thread and will check all of this on the weekend!

[dd6]

Check your heater box for anti freeze residue. I lost coolant that way.

[Baasvark]

Oh and Louis, I'm getting white smoke as soon as I release the accelerator pedal, not while under power

Had that problem too but then I changed my brand ....

[LouisZ]

I worked on worse case scenario. But I still will skim the block, yet I will polish the crank.

One way is to take off your tappet cover. If it is whitish inside you blown a head gasket.