2007 Head Gasket Replacement - $4k

[2016 4Runner SR5]

How many miles on the chain when it broke?

I bought it this way, has 246K on it. Engine is CLEAN, no sludge at all as you can see in the picture. Only thing on the engine is the normal brown oil staining, absolutely no crud at all not even down on the oil pan. None of the crusty crap you normally see inside a neglected engine. Cam lobes are spotless, tappets are spotless.

 

[simple]

And you have some confidence that this one won't need a head gasket repair a few months down the road? Unloading and buying another rig just as old is a crap shoot at best.

Lol, or currently need one.

And Yeti is right, in CA, and really all over, for an 06+ 4WD with low miles, you’re going to pay a metric **** ton. I traded my 04 in for 5th gen when it needed the HG repair, and a year later sold my 5th gen to get back in a 4th gen. Not only could I not find a clean 07/08 v6 4wd with low miles within 1k miles, the cheapest I could find was like 16k. Going back, I 100% would have done the HG repair.

 

[ktom3001]

While in there, make sure to throw a new timing set at it. All that will have to come off anyway, very smart to do it now. I'm in the process of doing this job now. Chain broke, possible bent valves, the job is A LOT of work.

What Mileage did it brake at? Mine is at 215 ish

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

What Mileage did it brake at? Mine is at 215 ish

245K ish. Bought it with the chain broken, going to make the repairs and then decide what to do with it. Maybe keep it, maybe sell it. Likely keep it, lift it, enjoy it for a while, then sell it like I do with everything lol.

 

[gaber6]

This is what the inside of a 2005 v6 with 160k looks like when well maintained. I put the chain and tensioners and guides back in being that they looked new with no stretch at all.
The job was time consuming for sure, especially if an exhaust bolt strips or you have to run to the auto parts store to get more supplies, run out of beer etc..

 

[Nisken]

Heads aren't for the faint of heart or the first timer. you're essentially subject to the shop's prices unfortunately.