3.0 two left heads?

M

MacGyver1979

New member
A few weeks ago I got a 95 4runner, the guy that sold it to me said the thermostat was bad but it test drove fine so I made the deal. he delivered it and the radiator blew also the head gasket.
I had my regular mechanic tow it to repair everything having only 140k miles I don't mind putting a little money in it. Radiator, head gasket, water pump, timing belt, ect.
I called the mechanic to get a progress report and he tells me that someone had put two left heads on the motor. is that even possible? anyone else ever hear of this? is my mechanic messing with me?
 
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MacGyver1979 said:
A few weeks ago I got a 95 4runner, the guy that sold it to me said the thermostat was bad but it test drove fine so I made the deal. he delivered it and the radiator blew also the head gasket.
I had my regular mechanic tow it to repair everything having only 140k miles I don't mind putting a little money in it. Radiator, head gasket, water pump, timing belt, ect.
I called the mechanic to get a progress report and he tells me that someone had put two left heads on the motor. is that even possible? anyone else ever hear of this? is my mechanic messing with me?
Click to expand...

The heads are the same. They just get turned around so yes I do believe he's full of sh!t
 
Hes completely wrong. Two left heads, thats silly. Everyone know that Toyota use two RIGHT heads on the 3vze...

The headgaskets were probably on their way out when you test drove it, and the seller thought it was thermostat problems.
 
Im no mechanic and he is the best/only mechanic around here. just out of curiosity what should head gaskets water pump and radiator cost including labor? He did say he had to do some machining due to having two left heads.
 
Well, the heads are the same, so the only reason he would have to machine them is if they had warped.

Its a lot of labor. Depends on how long it takes him. You know who could give you a good accurate quote though, your "mechanic". Why would you get work done without agreeing on a price before? I would expect it to be a grand, minimum.

The-Mask-Mechanic-Scene.jpg


Reminds me of this scene from the mask. Haha. For those of you who haven't seen it, the answer is " I dont know, about 800 bucks. Haha"
 
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Hyde802 said:
Well, the heads are the same, so the only reason he would have to machine them is if they had warped.

Its a lot of labor. Depends on how long it takes him. You know who could give you a good accurate quote though, your "mechanic". Why would you get work done without agreeing on a price before?

The-Mask-Mechanic-Scene.jpg
Click to expand...

I learned this lesson the hard way, after spending $1150 on a 3.0 timing belt and water pump replacement...
 
I know some states they must stick to the quoted price or only be a set percentage over, but not in NC, it is what they charge. and if you dont want to pay it then they can get a lean on the title
 
MacGyver1979 said:
I know some states they must stick to the quoted price or only be a set percentage over, but not in NC, it is what they charge. and if you dont want to pay it then they can get a lean on the title
Click to expand...

All the more reason to either have a mechanic you truly trust, or work on your own shit and avoid the "professionals" charging whatever they please.
 
I was told it would be ready to pick up wednesday of last week, so I show up friday and it was far from ready. I spoke to the guy that my mechanic had working on it, He said that the left head was from a different year model 3.0 and from what he could tell it hadn't been on the 4 runner long. the root of the problem was the pulley that attaches to the left head did not align properly or something like that
 
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