Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines ADVICE NEEDED, SICK ENGINE

I won't waste space explaining how I got in this mess but here's what I have. I have a 2010 GMC canyon with 5 cyl engine that was rattling a little and needed a timing chain. Took it to mechanic and he called me after he took valve covers off and told me it was rusty and dirty on the inside and wasn't worth fixing. Overhauling or replacing engine are too expensive. Would it be worth a try to have him go ahead an replace the timing chains and clean it up as much as possible and just keep driving it? Any other suggestions are appreciated. I could easily get more into this truck than it's worth. Thanks.

5 or 6 years ago, you could buy a complete 4.2L Atlas 6 cylinder(the 5 cylinders big brother) in running condition for as little as 6-800 bucks with a 30 day guarantee. Have you searched Pick-a-parts for a donor engine. I can't imagine the 5 cylinders would be very expensive either.

Apparently they're not very good engines and in demand because good used engines are hard to find. I've found a few with over 100K miles for low $3000's and one with 92K for $2900. Long blocks are out of stock also. One company offered to rebuild mine if I shipped it to them. Price over $7000.

Sounds like you are approaching that dreaded crossroads of weighing the value of the truck versus the cost to keep it going, unfortunately.