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Used engines, transmissions and Harley-Davidson motorcycles shipped nationwide. 90 day warranty. +1 503-551-4892  ·  Sales@hanedaautos.com  ·  Grand Rapids, Michigan

Common Engine Failures and What Replaces Them

Some engines do not fail at random. They fail in a pattern, at a predictable mileage, for a reason that was designed in. If your engine is on this page you are not unlucky, and you are not alone, and a sound low mileage replacement is almost always cheaper than chasing a rebuild.

Everything below is an engine family we stock. Call +1 503-551-4892 with your VIN and we will tell you what we hold for your exact code.

Hyundai and Kia Theta II: rod bearing failure

Codes: G4KH, G4KJ, G4KE. Found in the Sonata, Optima, Sportage, Santa Fe Sport, Tucson and Veloster.

The Theta II is the engine most people arrive here looking for. Connecting rod bearing failure is the known pattern, and it has been the subject of recalls and extended warranty programmes. It usually begins as a knock that rises with load, often accompanied by oil consumption that was not there before. Once a rod bearing has spun, the crank journal is damaged and the block is normally finished.

If your engine is knocking, stop driving it. Every mile after the noise starts makes the damage worse and can turn a replacement into a rod through the block.

Subaru EJ25: head gaskets

Codes: EJ25, EJ253, EJ255. Found in the Impreza, Forester, Outback, Legacy and WRX.

The EJ25 head gasket story is the best known failure in the Subaru world. The usual signs are coolant disappearing with no puddle under the car, a sweet smell at the exhaust, overheating in traffic, or bubbles in the overflow tank. Because the heads sit horizontally, external leaks often weep down the block and get mistaken for an oil leak.

By the time it overheats badly, the heads usually need machining as well, and the combined cost of gaskets, machine work and labour frequently exceeds a replacement engine with lower miles on it.

Toyota 2AZ-FE: oil consumption

Code: 2AZ-FE. Found in the Camry, RAV4, Solara, Scion tC and Highlander.

Piston ring design on the earlier 2AZ-FE engines led to heavy oil consumption. Owners top up between services, the problem worsens, and eventually compression falls away or the engine runs low on oil and damages a bearing. There was a Toyota warranty enforcement programme covering this, but most of these cars are long past it.

If you are adding a quart every thousand miles, the engine is on borrowed time.

Toyota 1MZ-FE: oil sludge

Code: 1MZ-FE. Found in the Camry V6, Avalon, Sienna, Highlander and ES300.

The 1MZ is a strong engine with one weakness: it does not tolerate extended oil change intervals. Sludge builds in the galleries, restricts the pickup, and starves the bearings. The damage is usually done before the oil light comes on. A clean low mileage import is the straightforward fix.

Nissan QR25DE: oil consumption and timing chain

Code: QR25DE. Found in the Altima, Sentra, Rogue and X-Trail.

Two patterns. Oil consumption on higher mileage engines, and timing chain guide wear that announces itself as a rattle on cold start. Chain guides are plastic and they do not survive forever. A rattle that fades after a few seconds is the early warning, and chain failure takes the valves with it.

Honda J35: cylinder deactivation

Codes: J35A, J35Z. Found in the Accord V6, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline.

Variable cylinder management shuts down a bank of cylinders under light load. On many of these engines, the deactivated cylinders foul plugs and the rings lose their seal, giving oil consumption and a misfire that comes and goes. People spend a long time replacing plugs and coils before accepting the engine is tired.

Subaru FB25: oil consumption

Codes: FB20, FB25. Found in the Forester, Outback, Legacy, Impreza and Crosstrek.

The FB family replaced the EJ and solved the head gasket problem, but the earlier FB25 engines developed a reputation for oil consumption from ring design. It was covered by an extended warranty on some model years. Outside that window, replacement is the sensible route.

Nissan VQ35DE: oil consumption and timing chain tensioner

Codes: VQ35DE, VQ35HR. Found in the Altima, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, 350Z, G35 and Quest.

The VQ is a durable V6, but the earlier VQ35DE engines consume oil as they age, and timing chain tensioner wear produces a rattle that gets worse. Run one low on oil and the bearings go quickly.

What to do next

  • Find your engine code, not just the model year. It is stamped on the block and usually printed on the under hood label. Two cars of the same year and model can carry different engines.
  • Stop driving a knocking engine. It only gets more expensive.
  • Send us the VIN. We check it against what is on the shelf and tell you whether we have it, and what you will need to move across from your old engine.
  • Budget for the install parts. Timing components, water pump, thermostat and seals go on while the unit is on the bench. Our warranty requires it, and it is the difference between an engine that lasts and a claim.

Call +1 503-551-4892, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern, or use the contact form and include your VIN.

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