I purchased a d16z6 from a guy named Junior in Tacoma on Friday night. It was night, so the only thing I checked was the block code. The next day, I was looking over the engine in the garage and noticed the valvecover was from a D15b7. Also, there was no vtec solenoid. After looking at the engine in detail, I discovered the valvecover was siliconed to the head and, most bothersome, the timing belt had two HOLES in it. While on the engine. Also, one of the rear mount bolt holes on the engine block was stripped out. And the starter holes were cross threaded.

I was told the engine came from a running car. That was also a lie. After changing the timing belt and making sure everything was appropriate, I mounted it in the car, expecting it to run. It didn't. The timing is so far off that I am now playing a guess-and-check method with the cam gear. I can get it to fire, but not run.

I've called this guy twice. I've even left nice messages (really). I am at a loss for words. I like to trust people, but it seems this scene is full of shady people. This is the second engine in a row I have purchased that is ****. A simple swap becomes a multi-day process of testing, diagnosing and attempting to fix.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I can post contact info if anybody cares for it. His name is Junior, and I have his phone number and address.

 

go to his house and get your money back thats bullshit

 

I thought about doing that, but at that point I had no engine in my car and was 140 miles from home. My car is still in my friend's garage because it is still not running.

 

Yup tacoma is a kinda shady scene. There are some people I know who had there stuff stolen from tacoma and the town is always shady when it comes to hondas left alone parked. But then there are the people in tacoma who are straight legit too. Cuz its a hit and miss for used motors. Sorry to hear about that bro. Might want to check foreign engines in lynwood. Or hmotorsonline.com...good luck finding the motor bro hope all goes well

 

I've pretty much made the decision to only buy from legit shops. No more individuals.

 

I'd go there and get your money. ASAP. Get your money back, one way or another.

 

that sucks man. Im in Bham too, im always sketched bout going down south to buy parts. Could be a lot of driving for nothing or even worse getting scammed.

 

dont mean to sound like a snitch but, why dont you just call the cops?

 

I don't think there would be a resolution. It would probably have to go to small claims court and by then it would be much too late, and likely too much of a hassle/cost.

 

How much money are you out? If you don't mind me asking.

 

dude one GUY scammed him from tacoma...that doesnt make tacoma a scammer town. People get scammed from every city lol. Oh yeah call him and just get some money back than

 

the only way to fix this is by doing it right when you buy it. people who sell used motors can be just as bad as used car sales people. you have to know your stuff when buying a used longblock, its 2009.... you cant just trust people any more.

what always works good for me (especially when buying a used tranny) is talk to the person, asking about what all is wrong and have them tell you stuff then try to get them to agree to write out a bill of sale including their name and drivers license and also have terms on the bill of sale stating what is and isn't wrong with what ever your buying. Also put in if it is not what they stated then they will issue a full cash refund on return of part purchased. this works really good for weeding out the shady people. people selling good parts will generally agree to something like this. I don't know if it would hold up in court or not but its more of a psychological trick.

sorry if I come off like a dick, but if you buy a used motor from someone you don't know and get screwed on it its kinda your own fault. jobs don't hire people to work for them without doing background checks right? so why would you buy a part that you have no idea on if its good or not besides what the person selling it has to say? its just common sense. just count this loss as a lesson learned and go buy a motor with the tactics Iv tried that have always worked for me.

 

$350 for the swap. More so it is the time and gas, plus the random parts I need to complete the swap.

I wish it were that easy. I've been scammed in other cities. I'm not trying to point out Tacoma specifically.

I like your advice and I wish I could follow it. I just want to have more faith in people. My friend lives his life that way and I don't know if I can do it. I may have to just purchase from legit shops from now on.

 

sucks to be scammed .. i know the feeling of how long it takes to get there ... i had to to to tacoma for a front end and all the pix the guy took were nice then i got there and ended being broken on the sides etc ..

hit me up .. your in bellingham area .. maybe i can help you find the parts up here local or set you up with someone that has the parts you need ..

i even got a SOHC y7 longblock if your interested for a good price to get your car running if its not ...
send me a message or something .. etc ...

 

I really appreciate it. I don't have the car here, however. It is in Tacoma still--at my friend's house. However, if you do want a D15b7 engine/tranny/harness mostly complete you can hit me up and it's yours.

 

im in bham too. hi me up if you need any help with it

 

Thanks guys. If you know anybody that needs a d15b7, it's looking for a home. Great for parts.

 

yah tacoma is a pretty shady pending on who your dealing with but there's alot of legit guys down here (we all tend to know or affiliate with each other) but yah bro sorry about the motor bro, hopefully you can find a replacement or this "junior" character will man up and hit you back with your money!..

 

I did not read this whole thread but I would go to his house with a buddy and pitch that motor through the front window of his house.

P.S. I hate scammers

 

ahhahha thats legit or crack some skulls lol

 

I've come to the same conclusion, no more individuals. But I don't think it's that most people are scammers, I think they're misinformed or well intentioned, but not knowledgeable enough.

It's possible the guy was just repeating what he heard when he bought it, lot's of legit reasons to get crappy used engine parts from well meaning, honest people.

It's like when people describe their car as the most amazing car they've ever had!! Well, that could be, but sometimes when you see the car in person, it's a turd. Didn't mean the guy lied. "TO HIM" based on his situation, it may have indeed been the best car he's ever had. Even if it is running on 3 of 4 cylinders.

Most people are honest. I find the weak link in the equation is usually my poor judgement, when crap goes wrong.

 

X2

 

Should have got a D-series from 360 instead of cheaping out. Not to be an ***...that's my old business and that supplier gives top notch ****...install and forget.
20-20 Customs is also about 1 block south of them and does swaps-they could have a pull-out D-series to sell you.
I have a 1994 Z6 that I pulled with a JDM D15B VTEC head on it that smoked, and I haven't sold it because I don't know whats wrong with it.
I do not venture south to buy anything. The cost of living is higher and everyone expects to make more profit. Typically I end up waiting for a few weeks and what I want will pop up for sale here for a reasonable price.
Twice now when car shopping I've wasted an entire weekend looking at overpriced crap piles only to find the car we wanted 20 minutes from home.

 

While I appreciate the suggestion, repeating it here does me no good. I didn't have $1000 for an engine, which is why I didn't buy from your friend. Assuming I get this car running tomorrow, I'll have done so for far cheaper. Yes, my lower price cost me peace of mind and likely reliability. But I simply didn't have any more money.

 

I believe he had a couple of d-series for $550.
I don't know where you got $1000 from unless it was an installed price.
Jerry is the purchaser of my business and not my friend, but I know the quality of the engines they get and wouldn't go anywhere else.
Typically anything much cheaper is either:

-Someone did a swap and sells their good engine cheap-you get lucky

-You get a stolen engine

-You get a blown or worn out engine

I repeatly lost sales to these circumstances and it's sad to see people who are tight on finances go thru all the time and trouble to save $200 to still have a dead car with another bad engine.
So..with a move forward approach, you need to visit the tech section and get your timing belt on right, then perform a compression test. If you don't have a tester I can be "compensated" with some fast food and I will help you test your engine. If you want to complete your Z6 and your block is ok, I can sell you the D15B VTEC head off my old engine which should be alright as it smoked under hard acceleration which is usually rings, not valve seals.