1996 Head gasket finally blew, now what??

[Draayer]

My beloved 4runners with 230K miles, blew the head gasket this morning, major white smoke blowing out the exhaust, etc etc. I called a local mechanic and asked what he would charge to replace the gaskets, with labor, parts and checking heads would be about $1K. I have checked on some used motors from Japan with less than 50K miles and they were a bit below $2K. This is my "play in the hills" ride so I won't be putting a bunch of miles on it. So with that situation, what would you experts out there do?

Should I tackle the head gasket myself?
Pay the $1K and have a mechanic replace the head gasket?
Get a new motor and have mechanic install it, he quoted $900?
Get a new motor and replace it myself?
Thanks all.

 

[MR.H]

If it were me and wasn't my daily driver, I would take the opportunity to learn how to do it.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My suggestion is do the engine swap.

It could be a cracked head. That happened to me.

 

[nissanh]

Did your motor burned oil? if not...

Pull the heads off.
There is a specific pattern to loosen (and tighten) the head bolts.
Take the heads to a shop and tell them to check it out and if it is good... you can build those. Get a full head job for each cylinder head (valve guides, valve seals etc.,) Cost about $175-200 a head.

Then buy OEM head gaskets (I bought ebay stuff for my 4 cylinder car and had to re-tighten the bolts due to the poor quality of the head gasket after driving 4000 miles!)
Also you'll need new head bolts (OEM is the best)

Now put things back together.

Toyota pistons/rings/bore last a pretty long time.

I did the head gasket for my 4cylinder car on my own for the first time and I saved $600 and learned something around $5000!

 

[4'running'26]

Sorry to hear this.

Did you have any/many symptoms beforehand? I'm approaching the 230k mark myself and this has me worried!

 

[Draayer]

Head gasket went bye bye

At about 230K miles I noticed that I started losing coolant. I talked to my mechanic (a friend of mine) he gave me some head gasket coolant additive and it seemed to stop going through coolant. It would still make a bubbling sound under the dash which I think was connected to this issue but its seemed ok, then this morning it all went south. The motor doesn't burn any oil and the oil was clean looking even after 2-3K miles. I'm leaning towards taking the job on myself. Where should I order the head gasket and bolts from? My mechanic friend gave me the name of a place that will check the heads and resurface them. Is there a step by step guide I can get to walk me through this? torgue specs and things like that?
Thanks all.

 

[nissanh]

OEM parts are cheaper at Camelback toyota in AZ. Before you buy parts, check the condition of heads.
I am not quite sure where to find the torque's for bolts, but you can google it.

Take pictures before removing a part. You can refer it when needed.

I would match the timing marks on the crank and two cam wheels and then move on with the removal. Just take the battery off. Label all the hoses and keep the nuts and bolts together whenever possible. Spray some WD-40 on exhaust nuts and bolts.
Let us know the progress.

 

[sportscarfan]

I'd go the singtoe route and do a V8 swap, but that's just me.

 

[Draayer]

V8 swap

I saw a thread where a guy did the V8 swap, that would be the ultimate 4Runner but that swap is a bit beyond my abilities.
If I got a repair manual or downloaded one, would that show the head gasket repair process?

 

[MattinLA]

Head Gasket Blew

First of all you need to find out WHY it blew! I just went through this. Make sure you do pre-emptive maintenance and replace ALL hoses and belts that are suspect and check for a clogged radiator and/ or blocked airflow.

 

[hambob]

The best source for torque's and the procedure's is the Factory Service Manual. It explains how to remove the heads properly as nissanh said. Search and maybe you can find a link to a pdf.

Good luck!

 

[02SE]

Completely off topic, but your screen name and location made me wonder if you are a relation to a former Motorcycle Racer of the same surname?

 

[Draayer]

Yes I am

If you are talking about Chris, yes he was my cousin. Really great guy.

 

[02SE]

If you are talking about Chris, yes he was my cousin. Really great guy.

My sincerest condolences and respect for Chris and his Son. I went on a few rides with him/them and some other riders, years ago. When I ride Monte Cristo, I still stop at the top and ponder things.

 

[Draayer]

What else should I change along with gaskets??

I think I'm going to tackle the job of changing out the head gaskets myself. While I'm in there what else should I change/replace? I'm guessing water pump? What about timing belt? Not sure when those were replaced.
Thanks again.

 

[TheeMikeB]

I think I'm going to tackle the job of changing out the head gaskets myself. While I'm in there what else should I change/replace? I'm guessing water pump? What about timing belt? Not sure when those were replaced.
Thanks again.

If you are going to pull the engine apart that far, I think it would make sense to change the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, upper lower rad/heater hoses, and drive belts. Cam seals/valve cover gasket goes without saying since you are pulling the heads.

 

[Draayer]

What gaskets do I want?

I'm ordering head gaskets and I'm wondering from anyone that has done this, what gaskets should I order? There is a kit that has about everything but I'm wondering if I really need all of those or if I will end up just throwing half of them away? Or should I get head gaskets and maybe valve cover gaskets, bolts, water pump, timing belt?
Any recommendations?
Thanks,

 

[oliveryih22]

Worth the purchase?

Saw somebody is selling a '97 4runner with 127 miles on it, says everything is fine with it,but needs to replace the head gasket. Easy enough fix for the asking price of the 4runner? ($1000) Cosmetically the car is great. Looking for input! thanks!

 

[G_Raw]

Depends on the situation... I'd tear it apart. If things checked out I'd but gaskets and parts to repair. If things don't check out (cracked head etc) 2uz swap would be my next choice.

 

[plcfcng]

If it were me and I liked it and the frame is rust free a 1,000 is a good price for around here. Before buying it look at the transmission fluid if it's red or even a bit brownish then that's ok if it's black then that's another story. Look at the rear brake backing plates for signs of oil that means axle bearings thats not a deal killer but just good to know. Now is the time to start the motor and listen if there are no knocking noise maybe only slight miss then your in pretty good shape. Some times there is no miss at all that's better.

When you get it home do a compression test wet and dry before removing heads. That can tell you the condition of the Rings. Then you can pull the heads and check them for cracks. I've done 4 of these in the last couple of years.:music: