2000 4runner w/cracked cylinder head

[lindamemphis]

My 2000 4runner was sputtering and choking. Two days ago I took it to dealer where it had been faithfully and regularly serviced for the past 8 years. I was told the plugs needed to be replaced for about $700. This did not fix the problem. Now being told one of the 4 cylinder head is cracked and also the piston rings are very weak and really should be replaced for $4900.
I have 159,000 miles on it and it is paid for. Should I have them repair it or replace it with another car? It is torn apart at the repair shop. I am in it for $700.+ for now if they put it back to gether with no repair. What should I do?LM

 

[004Gunner]

Plugs replaced for $700? Spark Plugs? The worn piston rings would be normal for the mileage but new ones should not be thrown on without honing the cylinder walls. If you go there then it is getting more than a top end rebuild (premature IMHO). Personally I would pass on the piston rings, question how plugs are $700 and what kind of plugs, and if the cylinder head is cracked then I would just replace that. The faithful and regular service statement is seriously conflicting with the cracked cylinder head. Have there been any overheating issues,periods of neglect, or heavy duty use of the vehicle?

 

[toytech76]

If the cyl head is cracked, thats one thing. How do they know the rings are weak? I am 99.99% sure they are just fine. Cyl heads that crack are sort of common on the 3.4's and the 2.7's. I say take your truck out of there to a more honest dealer or independant toyota shop for a better diagnosis. If you lived in nor cal, I would do it for you

 

[lindamemphis]

4runner cracked cylinder head

Thank you for the replies. Since my car is sitting torn apart right now, should I pay to get them to put it back together or just get it towed to another repair place for another opinion?

 

[004Gunner]

I wouldn't move the vehicle now. It will create a conflict between that shop and whichever one you bring it too.

 

[lindamemphis]

4runner cracked cylinder head

I have been given a rental to use while my car is being fixed so I have to make a decision as to whether I get a new car and use the 4runner in need of repair as a trade in (they could repair it cheaper than I can at their prices) or get it repaired and hope for the best that another cylinder doesn't crack or something else go bad after spending $3-5000 dollars. I could then try to get a little more usage out of it since it is paid for but I heavily depend on my car for my business as I am in outsides sales and have to drive about 20,000 miles per year for my job. Decisions Ugh!

 

[004Gunner]

You got in over your head on this one. Here is what I would do: 1. Find out what kind of plugs cost $700 and resolve that issue 2. Get the total cost of parts and labor for replacing the cracked cylinder head 3. Call other shops for estimates on head replacements for comparison 4. Decide who is doing the repair work 5. Stop talking about using the vehicle as a trade in for a new vehicle. In your given situation this would be like putting blood in shark infested waters.

 

[Lex]

For $4900 you could likely get a remanufactured engine with warranty. I priced one for a '95 T4R and it was just below the $4900 mark.

I'm in outside sales too....I feel your pain. The vehicle IS our office.

 

[lindamemphis]

thanks so much for your advice. I will let you know what happens.LM

 

[toytech76]

For replacing a cyl head with a brand new toyota casting on the 3.4 will run you around 4K for everything. Just have them fix what is needed to get the car running. Dont let them sell you services or a bunch of crap you dont need.

 

[pat161]

You got in over your head on this one. Here is what I would do: 1. Find out what kind of plugs cost $700 and resolve that issue

The motor is torn apart, thus the $700 is labor for tearing it down and putting it back together, not just for spark plugs. You can't expect a shop to diagnose the problem for free.

 

[lindamemphis]

4runner cracked cylinder head

Where does one go to get a price for a remanned engine?

 

[Lex]

I got a referral to this great engine replacement shop in NC via my mechanic.

Try google and plug in your area and "engine replacement".

I was pricing an engine swap on a '95 with blown head gasket, etc.

 

[trd_4runnin]

The motor is torn apart, thus the $700 is labor for tearing it down and putting it back together, not just for spark plugs. You can't expect a shop to diagnose the problem for free.

Uh, in the original post the poster stated that they were told the plugs needed changed and that it was gonna cost $700 and that didn't fix the problem. That sounds to me like the op got charged $700 to have plugs changed. Even with diagnosis labor involved (they wouldn't tear down an entire engine to tell you you need spark plugs) it still shouldn't come to $700...

Unless there is some missing information here, the fact that this place charged you $700 to change spark plugs screams second opinion.

 

[lindamemphis]

4runner w/cracked cylinder head

I got three prices for the following options: One quote was ridiculous so i didn't put it here.
1.replace cylinder head, spark plugs,wires,O ring, grommet,3 fan belts, gaskets,oil filter,engine oil and coolant I yr warranty-$3300.
includes parts and labor unlimited mile warranty
or
2. all of the above plus replace piston rings, hone cylinder walls, replace rod bearings $4900.
or
3.install remanufactured engine, replace spark plugs,wire, coolant, engine oil 3 year 75,000 mile warranty $7949.00
or
4.install used japanese engine w/ 50-60,000 miles on it install gasket set, water pump, thermostat,sparkplugs,wires, oil filter,coolant w/ 6mo warranty $3700.
_________________________________________________
The other prices from a highly recommended independent mechanic
option 3 is $5300.
option 4. for the same thing as above is $3100.

 

[racermp]

i find it very hard to believe u cracked a head.

get a used engine and drop it in, check car-part.com for a local junkyard that has one

then labor at the DEALER should cost alot (maybe over a grand), but a local mechanic can replace the motor for 500 or so. it's not a hard job on these.

motor should be under a grand at the most.

 

[lindamemphis]

I went to car part.com as you suggrsted and they do NOT sell engines.
I guess I am asking those of you who are in the know what you think about this:

I am leaning toward getting a used engine but not the one from Japan offered by the Toyota dealer since the independent mechanic said that almost all those are not as good as the ones we have here as Americans tend to take better care of the engines and most used engines come from wrecked cars anyway. Probably the owner changed the oil more frequently etc.
The dealer said the only reason to get a used engine is just to get the car running and turn around and sell it anyway. The independent mechanic said I could get some more usage out of the car and then decide what I wanted to do on my own terms.
The new engine is twice the price.
I thank everyone for your input and time in helping me think this out. I do not think I am going to have to pay $700 afterall.
The dealer gives me a rental while I wait but the other mechanic doesn't and it will take a week or more to get the job done. I have to factor that expense into the final price too when i decide which way to go.

 

[lindamemphis]

4runner cracked cylinder head.

OOPs I realised that carpart.com and car-part.com are not the same site.
car-part.com does have engines but when I put in 2000
4runner I got listings for different years of toyota tacomas. Do they use the same engine i.e. interchangeable? I found one rated A for $1400. only 49 miles away from me.

 

[AF808fighter]

God I hate mechanics. Here's the deal (I'm assuming you have the 3.4) if you have any mechanical experience and an alternate means of transport and a garage then just do this your self. Take the old head off and put a used head on. Go find a 3.4 head thats been re manufactured or just simply find a used one and have it resurfaced by a machine shop.

There is absolutely no way to know if your piston rings are weak just by a compression or code test: when you have a cracked head you are going to get a low compression reading! Now unless you have been blowing smoke out your tail pipe that smells like oil (blue smoke) then your rings are fine. If you have been seeing smoke out your tail pipe, been consuming oil at all and getting worse and worse gas mileage then yes you have bad rings.

Replacing a head may seem daunting but with a repair manual, a weekend and some basic tools its not bad. Get a friend and start early in the morning. Mark every thing with painters tape and sharpy: for example when you unplug some thing or take a bolt out you put a piece of tape on it with the number 1 and the end it came from with the same number, next component 2, 3 so on. Marked sandwich bags with bolts (ie "head bolts" or "plenum bolts") is a must. This keeps every thing simple and easy for reinstalling.

 

[racermp]

yea car-part.com is a different site, a junkyard hotline. car-part.com DOE NOT sell engines, it gives u a listing of the junkyards in your are with them!

it will look for interchangeable years. u can always double check, but all the 2.7l engines were the same from 96 on, all were obd II. they stopped in 01 i think.

it's just easier to find it on there cuz it will tell u what major junk yard has it in your area rather than calling around.


used US 2.7l 4cyl engine is what u need.