2004 4-Runner with 113,000 miles. Cylinder 6 misfire code, and the usual symptoms of blown head gasket. Take it to Toyota dealer and they say it's blown head gasket. I've done the searches and this appears to be a common problem.

They quote me $3,300 for the repair including machining the heads. I sat on it for about 2 weeks to think about what to do - didn't drive the vehicle it sat in my garage.

I took it in to the dealer today to have the work done. Get a call from dealer a couple hours ago saying that the heads are warped beyond repair. Now they say they can't even do the repair and my only option is a new engine. They're quoting me $5,500 for a replacement engine with 125K miles on it. They're already $700 into the repair that they started today.

What are my options here? No way I'm paying $5,550 for a replacement engine with 125K miles. I was going to look online for another engine. Any advice on where to find one? What about replacing the whole head? Could I have them do that? Where could I find a replacement head and what type of money would I be looking at for that repair?

Yea. The 5500 quote is their book rate. It likely includes the engine that they have access to. I suspect you could negotiate for a "newer" engine, because you are right on. I wouldn't throw a 125k engine in the the truck either, not unless it has been remaned or rebuilt.


So you have a couple of options. If you can afford it, that price isn't outrageous for certified toyota dealership prices. For that you get a new engine and dealer quality parts... also, I think you get at least a 12 month warranty.


So. If you can afford it, I think you should ask for a different engine option. They have access to engines via a lot of options and be honest. Putting in an engine with 125k that you have NO WAY of knowing how it has been treated is INSANE.

Pay the 700, do the engine swap yourself, or sell it w/ the bad engine and try to recoup some money. Hopefully you own it and don't owe any money.

If there is no damage to the engine block, replace the cylinder heads.

For what it's worth, see if you can't get a second opinion on the condition of the motor. I know it would be a major hassle, but try. I took my 2004 into the dealership after a friend drove it with the e-brake on for about 50 miles. (Was actually there mainly for a 5k service.) After telling them about the issue and having them take a look, they told me my whole braking system was toasted and needed to be replaced. I quote: "Oh yes, it looks like it got nice and hot in there. We're looking at all new rotors and pads unfortunately."

Naturally, I was skeptical, having driven there just fine without issue and having tested the e-brake and it performing exactly as it had before on our steep hill. Went home, inspected them myself, the pads looked like crap, but the rotors/e-brake drum assemblies were absolutely fine. Saved myself a ton of money and replaced them myself that weekend. Those same rotors are still performing with plenty of life left.

Moral of the story: While not all dealerships are equal, and some will definitely give you better ethical service than others, when you're talking decent money it's not unwise to seek an additional opinion if you can. You never know, the block could be fine if you're lucky. Some dealerships are not unknown to exaggerate some when big money can be made.

New cylinder heads and labor may be more then a used engine.

I would call toyota customer service. Obviously you are out of warranty and technically toyota owes you nothing, but considering the history with head gaskets I am sure they will offer something. I am not sure you have any real other real options at this point.

There is no way I would take back a disassembled project that I didn't take apart unless I was super familiar with how it is taken apart. About the only other thing you could look at is sourcing an engine yourself. They won't warranty it I am sure, but you could save some money, but with a huge risk.

Depending on your skill, you could ask for the old block back and rebuild the old motor and sell to someone else with a similar misfortune, but knowing aluminum doesn't do well when over heated, the block could be toast as well. There probalby is $100 of scrap metal if nothing else.

I would recommend trying that as well. I would also try to work with dealer to have it rebuild or get a replacement engine with 50K or so on it and see if they will not raise the price from the original quoted $3,300.00. I am pretty sure they can source the engine for that amount and not lose money at the same time.

P.S. I am sorry for OP misfortune…. And it is very sad to see that Toyota had the same HG issue that hunted them down for 3 generations of 4Runners. To make thing worse since V6 now have aluminum block it normally gets toasted when HG fails…
Okay enough venting…

Personally I wouldn't let the dealer do this.

Find a good independent to put a used motor in. Dealers near me charge $120/hr. Good independents are about $70. Most of the cost is going to be labor.

This is your chance...drop a 2uz in her ....You could do what Singtoe did and get a donor vehicle, you find scrap 4runner(no front end damage) at an auction or CL probably get the whole thing for $5000. Take the engine for you, sell any parts you don't need to recoup some cash and then send to the rest to a scrap yard and sell the metal. You'll be laughing.

Typically I would agree, but he is kind of in a bind now that the dealer already has it and he is $700 into it. I don't think it would be worth the risk at this point to go somewhere else since it is tore apart. It wouldn't shock me if a few parts ended up vanishing.

You're probably right.

Oh look, another complete V6 failure. Sorry to hear it OP.

Not gonna say I told you so. I bet we see more and more of these as more V6's reach the 100k mark.

I am not bashing the v6, but I had my fears about the v6 when it first was offered. I really liked the idea of the selectable 4wd and the better gas mileage, but i couldn't bring myself to taking the risk on a brand new motor. All aluminum blocks scare me and bring back bad VW memories.

Honestly, you can source this engine for around $1800-$2000 if you have someone to help you swap it in.

I found one on car-part.com with 65k for $1750... not bad

Seriously V8 people one blown headgasket doesn't mean they all blow. We have a ton of 4runners with more than 100k with no issues around here.