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I have a spun rod bearing do I have to rebuild my engine?

I want to know if I have to rebuild my engine or can I just get away with replacing the bearings and machining the crank? I have a 2003 Celica and I went less than a mile while it was knocking.

Public Comments

1. you need a rebuild. By the time you heard knocking, the engine spun aleast 10x times...think of this RPM.
2. Yes you can but you should disassemble the motor completely and clean it. You will have metal shavings all thur it. If you do not it will simple eat the new bearing up in a very short time.
3. Got it apart now? Check rod bearing on crank, -- how does it look, - check with micrometer! Toyotas have pretty good material in crank, and you may find it is not hurt! Now the rod is a different problem, -- it depends on how badly rod is messed up, -- most likely .you need to pull head off and remove piston with rod to replace! and of course you most likely will have to pull engine to pull crank (if bad) to have re-machined! -- unless you can find "old timer" with machine that can do one journal with crank in engine! This was common 50 years ago, but now is pretty much out of style! If it was my car, and I could do it without having to have crank ground, - I would knock out all the pistons, - and do a "light overhaul"! Which consists of "reaming the ridges" on cylinders, light honing of cylinders to rough up, - new piston rings, and all new bearings on crank, -- and of course new connecting rod on bad throw to make sure it is not damaged to cause trouble later! Also new timing chain! This makes it very close to a new overhauled "long block"! you can also check valves and valve guides, and put on new seals if all else still ok, if valves all sealing good, you can now put engine back together, -- this "chapie job" may only last 150-200K but for most cars that is far enough ! A total overhaul (or new engine) will cost you maybe 4X as much and get you another 100K if you are lucky!
4. You can probably just replace the crank, I have done many that way with great results. You will need to pay special attention to the "spun" rod. There is a possibility that the big end bore has stretched, or the rod has warped. Also, with a spun bearing, the oil passage running through the rod may have been blocked for who knows how long, dtarving oil flow to the piston and wrist pin bearing on that cylinder. Be sure that the oil passage is not blocked, and if that rod has turned a much darker color, it has probably been toasted. There really isn't a good way to measure rod warpage while installed, but you can verify the condition of the big end with a micrometer once the crank is out. Plasti-gage will also help determine the condition of the rod. The motor will have to come out, it is not a whole lot more work to pull the head and do a complete overhaul. It will cost more money, but that decision will be yours. Your biggest concern should be why the bearing went out, and how to prevent it re-occuring.
5. dude, listen to me.... these other monkeys are the ones that end up posting stupid questions on yahoo answers. you spun the bearing on the crank. My advice as an engine rebuilder, and I'll keep in mind nobody has money right now: Remove the head, drop the oil pan. I know its an 03, but if you plan on keeping the car, rebuild the engine.. Now, why did the engine spin a bearing? the only way to determine that cause is to remove all rods and main bearings. Now, it seems like a lot, but from here, if the crank, remove the trans and front cover. Be sure to put a main bearing back up so that the crank doesnt drop out and break. this is a good time to change the timing belt.. from here determine what parts you need. you can probably get away with a bearing kit and a complete gasket kit, as well as grinding the crank, and possibly replacing one connecting rod. If you put it together correctly, youll have a brand new engine. good luck.