Alright everyone, IÆm desperately needing help. HereÆs my background. Got my first Montero back in Æ05. It was a Æ95 LS, and I loved it. IÆm a disabled vet and Feb of Æ07 we got 13ö of snow and it did GREAT. Esp since I canÆt shovel a lot bc of my lower back injury I didnÆt have do any shoveling since my Montero treated the big drifts and all like it was just a dusting. Unfortunately my ex took it later that year. I hurriedly bought a Jeep while I searched for another Æ95 Montero. I live in Lafayette, IN and drove all the way down to Louisville, KY 3 months later to get the one I have now. ItÆs an SR and gorgeous and looks brand new and I absolutely love it. It had almost 220K on it when I got it and didnÆt fret about having to replace the water pump or brake pads or starter or spark plugs. Its always burned oil on start up and take off. When I replace the spark plugs we discovered that there were no gaskets to keep the oil from getting into whatever itÆs called where the spark plugs go. We put gaskets on. However, first of Nov it started knocking. I added oil, but as the day progressed the knocking got louder until it just died on me. I was told by a buddy that I probably threw a rod and the cheapest and easiest way to fix it is to get a new engine. This has proven problematic as he also said the only engine that will go in it is a Æ94-Æ96 3.5 montero engine. IÆve only found brand new ones for 3K. IÆm a disabled vet and the VA definitely doesnÆt give me enough to make that kind of a purchase.
I will add that my nieceÆs husband did some work on it and I ended up having to have it towed to a mechanic and dishing out $400 for them to figure out what he did wrong. It was the wrong firing order and everything. HeÆs also the one who did my timing when I replace the water pump. Could it be anything other than a thrown rod? My gf of 4 years is insisting I just get a new vehicle but I absolutely love my Montero. Please, someone help me. By the way, I am also a female so when you answer, please donÆt expect me to be some guy who was taught stuff by his dad. Although I am quite a good fixer, I have no clue about thrown rods and stuff. ThereÆs so much I want to do to the truck (lift it, get bigger tires) but having it running is the first priority.