Rebuilt FR-S questions
 

I'm so sorry if this is in the wrong section. I feel like this car I'm looking at pertains to this sub forum. I could be wrong though. I've found a 2013 Scion FR-S on Craigslist with a rebuilt title, asking 11,700 with 66,000 miles. The owner bought it at an insurance auction with minor front left damage. Supposadly it just needed a new fender and control arm and it was repaired and painted by a professional. I'm less concerned about this because I have a worthy mechanic friend who can get it on a lift and check out the frame and control arm. The owner has the ga state inspection report that changed the title to rebuilt from salvage(I also can get carfax report)The inspection report includes: what parts were damaged, what was replaced and with which parts including receipts, and what register mechanic did the repair. I'm more concerned about anything shading that could have been done in the background such as an engine swap with a worn out engine. I'm wondering if the 13' FRS has a vin or serial number on the engine. Some sort of ID that I would be able to connect with the cars vin to verify its original. If it doesn't I'm wondering what are some signs of an engine swap or just anything to lookout for in general.

Since nobody seems to want to answer this i will give it a shot.....i wouldnt worry to much if the engine was swapped.....but what you can do is have your mechanic friend do a leak down/compression tesk of the engine......it will pretty much tell you what you cant see.

Yes engine has vin. Check vin on engine, doors, fenders...forgot where else. Make sure all match. Start it up, do compression check twice. Once before when cold, then run it, let it cool and redo it.

How much is he going to charge to do a compression test? You have to pull the engine up to get to the spark plugs. I'd just check it once if I was going to do it, when its hot.

you do not have to move the engine position to swap plugs. I have done it on the lot on a flood car to get water out of the cylinders. Same goes to run the compression test.

Your car must be different, or you have very tiny hands. There was no way I'd get the back plugs out without moving the engine. I'm sure most mechanics that aren't familiar with your methods would go by the service manual, which has you moving the engine up to pull plugs.

Say what? I have seen / read of only a few people not having to follow the service manual for plugs on these things.


Care to share how you did it on the "lot."

Just the correct assortment of tools, it is not that hard. I pull the injector covers for a little bit of swing / work room. Pick your tools effectively. This is what I do for a living.

I'm curious why this car has a rebuilt / salvaged title. my 2010 subaru legacy had 6000 put into the back of the car and does not have a salvaged title. it did show on car fax as being in an accident. I do live in Oregon and maybe laws are different. I only say this do to what they say is wrong with the car. seems fishy to me. What are your plans for the car?

I know a few people who get to the plugs without lifting the engine. Like @Ross said, very possible with the proper tools. Once you've done it, subsequent times are easy.

It's easier to jack up the engine...
 

It really isn't difficult to jack up this engine at all. Take off the skid plate and the two nuts holding the engine mounts down and jack it up.

I replaced my spark plugs in 45 minutes.

Jaden

Yup, I've jacked it up numerous times. :thumbsup:

yep...
 

Only thing I would suggest is taking off the fuel line cover on the driver's side, prior to jacking up the engine, makes it a lot easier to work out of there and get to the coils and plugs.

Jaden