I recently heard something that I can't believe. A friend needed a new engine for his (non-Prius) car. He bought a rebuilt engine originally on a car from Japan. He was told that, in Japan, all cars must have their engines replaced every 3 years to keep emissions down. I think this must be untrue-an urban legend. Has anyone heard of this before?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doctorbob @ Apr 26 2007, 12:14 PM) [snapback]430703[/snapback]</div> I have heard variations of the same story. I have never seen proof of this claim. While traveling in New Zealand, I mentioned that there was a high percentage of Japanese cars compared to other makes, and a local told me that the market was flooded with exported late model cars for the same reason; they no longer met emission standards. I'm a bit skeptical, but it is true that there are businesses that import used engines from Japan (and other countries). I have known people who have bought said engines. One warning about buying a used engine not intended for the US market: there may be some differences which are not obvious. This may mean that you cannot obtain replacement parts that match the non US engine through local parts stores. I know of one instance of this; the person needed a new head gasket but could not get one that worked with his (transplanted) engine. After a couple of attempts, he ended up scrapping the vehicle.
Note the answer to Question #2 in this FAQ from an importer of used Japanese engines: http://www.aoneengine.com/faq.asp
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doctorbob @ Apr 26 2007, 12:14 PM) [snapback]430703[/snapback]</div> Nope. A 3 year old engine that's well tuned and properly maintained can still be as clean as when it was new. Your friend was probably talking about the emissions testing that the Japanese have to do. It starts at 3 years and is done every other year (5,7,9 etc). It's apparently quite expensive so they usually get a new car before 3 years. Also, the mileage on the engines are really really low. The 15 year old Skyline GT-Rs and GT-S that are imported here have only 50,000-75,000kms.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doctorbob @ Apr 26 2007, 02:14 PM) [snapback]430703[/snapback]</div> Yes its true .The beauty of a used engine from Japan is that it has low miles ,often around 30,000 and is NOT rebuilt.A Toyota engine with 30,000 miles can have about 270,000 miles of life left in it. They are very inexpensive .Cheaper than a rebuilt and definitely better quality than any rebuilt engine .Cheap rebuilds have oil burning and leaking problems .
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doctorbob @ Apr 27 2007, 04:14 AM) [snapback]430703[/snapback]</div> Hi from Japan, I never heard of it. Ken@Japan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Apr 26 2007, 08:25 PM) [snapback]430940[/snapback]</div> The variation I heard, perhaps as much as 20 years ago, was that in Japan, the cost to register a car goes up as the car ages, as a means to boost new car sales. Have you ever heard anything like that in Japan?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Apr 27 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]430989[/snapback]</div> the cost to register a car goes up as the car ages??? I never heard of it. Ken@Japan
I think people are getting confused. Ken, doesn't Japan have that inspection starting at year 3 and going on every other year? starts with s?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 27 2007, 09:54 AM) [snapback]431218[/snapback]</div> From the link I posted above:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 28 2007, 01:54 AM) [snapback]431218[/snapback]</div> You're right. We need to have the inspection(SHAKEN) starting at year 3 from new and going on every other year. The SHAKEN is NOT very expensive. It is free market and we can choose any SHAKEN vendor from a low price for reasonable service to a high price for full/desired service. An old car needs to be replaced tires, brake pads, brake hose, timing belt and so on... It becomes expensive on an old cars, but it is another story. I believe the SHAKEN process is good for your safety. Ken@Japan
Yeah but don't you guys run through brake pads and tyres anyway from drifting? haha. j/k. So it gets replaced every 2 years (after the first 3) no matter what?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 3 2007, 02:46 PM) [snapback]434567[/snapback]</div> So, such question crates a story of this thread, replacing engine every 2 or 3 years. This January, my Prius finished the first SHAKEN, 3 years from purchace, then nothing was repaced. We know Prius brake pads last more than 100,000 km. Ken@Japan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ May 3 2007, 02:36 AM) [snapback]434600[/snapback]</div> ohh.. ok. So it's just basically a full inspection of the vehicle. Nice. Here, it's just emissions.
