95 4runner headgasket issue

[lowlightbw]

Hi,
Just recently purchased a 95 4runner with a headgasket leak. I know there is the recall so I called the dealer so see if I could get it fixed. They informed me that there weren't any recalls open on the vehicle. Is it still possible to get this fixed by the dealer? Should I call another dealer? If not am I looking at the typical $1000-1500 to get the headgasket replaced? Thanks ahead!

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

Hi,
Just recently purchased a 95 4runner with a headgasket leak. I know there is the recall so I called the dealer so see if I could get it fixed. They informed me that there weren't any recalls open on the vehicle. Is it still possible to get this fixed by the dealer? Should I call another dealer? If not am I looking at the typical $1000-1500 to get the headgasket replaced? Thanks ahead!

thats happened to me a couple times. i have a shop and have called the dealer on several v-6 toyotas and some dont have recalls. not all of those v-6 motors have recalls on them. it depends on what plant the motors were built at. and every v-6 motor that had a head gasket problem that had the recall that came into my shop had already been done by a dealer.

hope this helps you out a little

did you get quoted that price to have one gasket done or both. im assuming this is a v-6?

 

[lowlightbw]

thanks for the response outlaw. I called two dealerships today and both quoted me approx 1500 for the headgasket replacement. I am taking it to a shop on Monday and will call around to see who gives me the most for my money. Anyone know of any toyota specialty shops in the Savannah, GA area that work on 4runners?

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

thanks for the response outlaw. I called two dealerships today and both quoted me approx 1500 for the headgasket replacement. I am taking it to a shop on Monday and will call around to see who gives me the most for my money. Anyone know of any toyota specialty shops in the Savannah, GA area that work on 4runners?

1500 seems a little low for me. i would be carefull with dealerships they will tell you one price to get you in the door and you pay double that to get it out.

you never said if its a v-6 engine or not???

if it is do both head gaskets not just one!!!

 

[lowlightbw]

Sorry Outlaw, its a v-6. I called the shop today that told me it was the headgasket and he said he didnt do a compression/carbon test. He said he noticed water/coolant leaking from the EGR valve and said that was a tell tale sign. I've searched and couldnt come up with anything regarding this being a sign of a blown headgasket. Any ideas or further input? I've checked the oil several times and it appears to be fine.

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

Sorry Outlaw, its a v-6. I called the shop today that told me it was the headgasket and he said he didnt do a compression/carbon test. He said he noticed water/coolant leaking from the EGR valve and said that was a tell tale sign. I've searched and couldnt come up with anything regarding this being a sign of a blown headgasket. Any ideas or further input? I've checked the oil several times and it appears to be fine.

hmm i have never heard of that. enless it excessive maybe. a lot of times it may not show up in the oil.

i would take it to another mechanic for a second opinion.

they also make a block tester that uses fluid that will change color when the head gasket is blown. i have used it before and it came up showing that it was not blown but turns out the head gasket was blown so it doesn't work all the time. its hard for me to tell you its a head gasket from here but in my personal opinion as a mechanic helping someone out i would get a different opinion.

what made you think its a head gasket??

 

[lowlightbw]

I think after reading about the recall, others complaining about the motor, and hearing the sellers symptoms I assumed it was a headgasket issue. I purchased it for relatively cheap knowing that I was going to put some money into it. When running the idle sometimes goes low and you can hear a misfire. The shop said they started in on the tune-up by replacing the plugs. They said the distributor cap/rotor and wires need changing as well but when the mechanic saw the egr leaking he stopped and called me to let me know of the issue. I am going to take it to another shop on Monday that I feel much more confident about and have them do a compression/carbon test and see what they come up with. The car has 76,000 original miles and is in great shape (besides the motor issues). We shall see what next week brings i suppose. Thanks again for all your help. Any other ideas recommendations?

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

I think after reading about the recall, others complaining about the motor, and hearing the sellers symptoms I assumed it was a headgasket issue. I purchased it for relatively cheap knowing that I was going to put some money into it. When running the idle sometimes goes low and you can hear a misfire. The shop said they started in on the tune-up by replacing the plugs. They said the distributor cap/rotor and wires need changing as well but when the mechanic saw the egr leaking he stopped and called me to let me know of the issue. I am going to take it to another shop on Monday that I feel much more confident about and have them do a compression/carbon test and see what they come up with. The car has 76,000 original miles and is in great shape (besides the motor issues). We shall see what next week brings i suppose. Thanks again for all your help. Any other ideas recommendations?

well sounds like you got a pretty good deal on it. hopefully its not a head gasket and just a tune problem. getting a second opinion is the best thing to do just to make sure thats the problem. i just can see how leeking from an egr valve makes it a head gasket issue. i have never heard of that. i mean i could be wrong. im not saying that, that is not a sign of a bad head gasket im just saying i never heard of it.

without looking at the vehicle myself i dont really have any other ideas for you except to take it and get a second opinion.

and your welcome. keep me informed on whats wrong with it. i would like to know. especially since the information on the egr. thats something i could check someday. that is if its a sign of a head gasket

 

[lowlightbw]

I am dropping the truck off on my way to work in the am at a better shop. Hopefully I will have better news...or at least news. I will let you know what they say about the EGR leak being related to a headgasket issue. Thanks again!

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

I am dropping the truck off on my way to work in the am at a better shop. Hopefully I will have better news...or at least news. I will let you know what they say about the EGR leak being related to a headgasket issue. Thanks again!

well i hope all goes well for ya and its not too expensive to get it fixed either way once you do. you will have a reliable truck and thats all that matters!!

your welcome.

 

[lowlightbw]

Spoke with the shop owner today. He said he had trouble starting it because there was so much coolant in the heads! It drove fine yesterday but on the way to the shop this morning I noticed white smoke on initial acceleration from a stop Looks like the heads are getting removed and sent to the machine shop tomorrow. Hopefully have a great running truck in 2 weeks or so. The price is higher than I originally thought but he is going to do it right. I will update you when I get the truck back. minus a kidney of course.

 

[Hyde802]

The price is higher than I originally thought but he is going to do it right.

Worth it.

 

[lowlightbw]

Yeah, Im starting to get excited about getting it back with fresh heads. I am just having to sell my 81 yota pickup to pay for it. Bummer because I thought I was going to have 2 white toyotas in the family. Anyone wanna buy a 5 speed 2wd '81 sr5? haha.

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

Yeah, Im starting to get excited about getting it back with fresh heads. I am just having to sell my 81 yota pickup to pay for it. Bummer because I thought I was going to have 2 white toyotas in the family. Anyone wanna buy a 5 speed 2wd '81 sr5? haha.

i have enough toyotas as it is lmao!! i own five and sadly not one of them is a 4runner lol. and only one is street legal. well im glad its getting fixed how much if you dont mind me asking? last one of those i did was nearly 2500 but i also replaced timing belt waterpump exc....... so it just wasn't the heads