2015 Yaris… Cylinder 4 messed up… Fix or scrap it?

Alright, I’ve got a 2015 Yaris L with 123k miles. It was throwing a P219F code, so I took it to Toyota. They ran a compression test and got these numbers: Cylinder 1 - 150 psi, 2 - 140 psi, 3 - 135 psi, 4 - 125 psi. They said spec is 140 psi and should be within 15 psi.

Then they scoped the cylinder and found some damage on the top of the piston and scoring on the cylinder walls. Their advice? Replace the short block, get a used or new engine.

The problem is, this car is worth about $6k without this issue. Toyota quoted at least $2k for labor, plus $2k-$4k for a used engine. I’ve got a cheaper mechanic looking for a used engine, and they said labor would be way less than what Toyota wants.

So, is this worth fixing? And what’s the price point where I should just give up on it? The only other option is buying another car, but I can only afford around $15k max for a replacement. Other than this issue, the car runs totally fine.

What would you do?

I’d definitely get a second opinion. Dealerships love to push expensive repairs or sell you a new car. Always good to have another mechanic take a look.

nelly said:
I’d definitely get a second opinion. Dealerships love to push expensive repairs or sell you a new car. Always good to have another mechanic take a look.

Yeah, I get that. Dealers definitely look out for themselves first. They did say the car is still driveable for now, but eventually, that cylinder is gonna fail.

Take it to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. Dealer prices are always high.

If the cylinder bore is actually damaged, a used engine is probably the cheapest option. Should be fine, but with anything used, it’s a gamble. Most salvage yards offer a short warranty, but it depends.

Rebuilding the engine is another option, but that costs a lot more. If the cylinder wall is too far gone and needs a sleeve, I wouldn’t bother. A proper rebuild would involve machining the cylinders, honing them, and installing matching pistons.

@Asher
Makes sense. I think a used engine is the way to go. I’m calling a couple of mechanics today to see what they say and get some quotes.

@Asher
Quick question—if I keep driving it until that cylinder fails, could it mess up anything other than the engine itself?

Fallon said:
@Asher
Quick question—if I keep driving it until that cylinder fails, could it mess up anything other than the engine itself?

Hard to say without seeing it, but if the cylinder is wearing down, the engine could seize up eventually, which means your car just stops running. Worst case, if a rod snaps, it could punch a hole in the block.

Biggest risk is it dying at a bad time or leaving you stranded.

If you trust a local mechanic, have them check it out for a better idea of what’s actually going on.

@Asher
Good points. Luckily, I have another vehicle I can drive for now, and I don’t plan on taking the Yaris far. I also have AAA, so if it dies, at least I get a free tow.

Oh, and just my luck… I put brand-new tires on it and upgraded the stereo to a nice one with Android Auto.

I’d just upgrade to a newer Yaris. That’s what I did when mine started having issues.

Hartley said:
I’d just upgrade to a newer Yaris. That’s what I did when mine started having issues.

I’ll never buy another Yaris. Aside from this issue, they just aren’t comfortable. The seats and legroom are awful. It’s a solid little commuter, but that’s about it.

@Fallon
This issue isn’t really a Yaris thing—it’s more about maintenance. Cylinder wall damage usually happens if oil changes were skipped or low-quality oil was used. It could happen to any car. That said, I get what you’re saying about the comfort.

@Zayn
Yeah, I’m the third owner and have only had it for three years, so who knows how it was treated before me. But my dislike of the Yaris isn’t just this issue—it’s really just the interior comfort. I have RA, and most cars aren’t great for me, but the Yaris is especially bad.

Definitely check with another mechanic before making a decision. Used engines can be found for pretty cheap.