Eating crow on those high miles ugh......

Panda96

Panda96

New member
Yep, head gasket blew today; that just happened :dammit:

Towed it to my mechanic today and he said he'll have to see if the heads are warped etc. If not and if he just replaces the head gasket, oil, coolant etc etc then I'm looking at about $1000. Said he might as well replace the timing belt while he's in there as well. If anything is warped etc then it could be in the $1500-$1800 range. Guess it was a fun ride while it lasted. Now it's time to make some decisions.

Have it fixed? Or replace the engine? Or sell it. Problem is selling it I'm going to get low balled big time. If I fix it and decide to sell it I can at least ask for top $.

Any suggestions??? UGH.
 
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Most people, myself included cannot properly fix a head gasket failure on their own. If you've never done it before it isn't something to just tackle such as changing the brakes.

Unless you have the skills to do it. Then by all means go for it!
 
A JDM is about about a grand plus all the consumables. I would consider that.

Im glad a read this. I have two heads I need checked before I install them in my 207,000 mile engine...motivation if you will.

Good luck man, if you have the time you can pull the heads your self and have a shop check them for under 100.00 (probably). Most of that 1500.00 is gonna be in labor. Takes time to tear down the engine that far.
 
If it were me, I'd take a compression test to gauge the overall health of the engine first. If the numbers are good to great, then I'd go ahead and get the heads redone along with new gaskets and the like.

If the bottom end isn't great or you have been loosing coolant for some time, then look for a used engine.

How many miles btw?
 
Get it fixed. Even if you did sell it as is you'd loose that amount or likely more just because you are selling it needing major repairs.
 
LittleCaesar said:
If it were me, I'd take a compression test to gauge the overall health of the engine first. If the numbers are good to great, then I'd go ahead and get the heads redone along with new gaskets and the like.

If the bottom end isn't great or you have been loosing coolant for some time, then look for a used engine.

How many miles btw?
Click to expand...

You think a compression test with a blown head gasket would even be a remotely accurate way of determining bottom end health?
 
I thought they were just leaking, not much compression there in one or two cylinders if blown for sure.

I'd fix it unless a real low mileage replacement could be found.
 
You can do it. I am speaking from my experience. I know how to fix many things but never done a T-belt.

I blew my 4cylinder corolla head gasket.
I decided to replace the gasket on my own. Got the owner repair manual and consult youtube several times before puling anything.
4 cylinder head job= $175.
Buy genuine head gasket and head bolts. I'd say for two heads and gaskets may cost about $300-400. Take pictures before puling anything out.
So far I did 18K miles.... so far so good.
 
Panda96 said:
Yep, head gasket blew today; that just happened :dammit:

Towed it to my mechanic today and he said he'll have to see if the heads are warped etc. If not and if he just replaces the head gasket, oil, coolant etc etc then I'm looking at about $1000. Said he might as well replace the timing belt while he's in there as well. If anything is warped etc then it could be in the $1500-$1800 range. Guess it was a fun ride while it lasted. Now it's time to make some decisions.

Have it fixed? Or replace the engine? Or sell it. Problem is selling it I'm going to get low balled big time. If I fix it and decide to sell it I can at least ask for top $.

Any suggestions??? UGH.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that! I was faced with a con rod failure last Winter, and struggled with the same decisions, I ended up doing a JDM engine swap with extremely low miles. It cost me around $1500... and I did extra maintenance and replaced all belts, gaskets and seals, extra $500. I'm sure this would be cheaper in the USA. I love my truck and because it is in near showroom condition with NO rust, it really was no decision--- these trucks command high prices on the west coast market. Well worth the time and the job wasn't that hard!
Check it out: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/167172-my-engine-swap-progress.html
 
Most decent jdm motors are around 1300.00 with labor and oil ect 2200.00
Installed at our shop we've done a few jdm swaps bought that number out door
If truck does not need stuff like rad,ect ect
 
How long did you drive it after blowing the head gasket? If you pulled over & turned it off right away without overheating the bottom a new head & gasket should be fine.
I tried the get to an auto parts store when mine blew (I thought I just blew a hose) and I warped my engine bearings without knowing. So I had the head & gasket done & during testing we realized that the bottom was no good (valves tapping like crazy). Had to pull it out & have it rebuilt. It cost me a lot of money but I love my truck & knew the block was good. If you're a gambling man & think your bottom is good just go for the top. You have over 200,000 miles on it so a low mileage engine might be the better bet. BUT you don't know the history of that used motor. That's why I had mine rebuilt, I've had it since new & did all of the scheduled maintenance over the years.

It's a tough decision. Good Luck.
 
I'd fix it. Lots easier having something that you know the history of, and feel comfortable in, rather than having a car payment every month OR inheriting someone else's problems (used car).

Where in North GA are you located? I'm in Snellville (east of Atlanta).
 
Scramble said:
How long did you drive it after blowing the head gasket? If you pulled over & turned it off right away without overheating the bottom a new head & gasket should be fine.

I tried the get to an auto parts store when mine blew (I thought I just blew a hose) and I warped my engine bearings without knowing. So I had the head & gasket done & during testing we realized that the bottom was no good (valves tapping like crazy). Had to pull it out & have it rebuilt. It cost me a lot of money but I love my truck & knew the block was good. If you're a gambling man & think your bottom is good just go for the top. You have over 200,000 miles on it so a low mileage engine might be the better bet. BUT you don't know the history of that used motor. That's why I had mine rebuilt, I've had it since new & did all of the scheduled maintenance over the years.



It's a tough decision. Good Luck.
Click to expand...


Just curious, but you say bottom end of your motor, but then talk about the valves, which is top end of your motor?
 
Robb235 said:
Just curious, but you say bottom end of your motor, but then talk about the valves, which is top end of your motor?
Click to expand...

To me it sounded like a loud valve tap so it was probably the crankshaft bearing. But it was knocking too so I had the whole thing rebuilt. I overheated the sh*t out of it. This was/is my first Jap motor & they're not like old American big blocks of the '60's & early '70's. They're a little more delicate. LOL
 
Fix it yourself. There's nothing scary about replacing a head gasket, it's just turning bolts counterclockwise. Once you get the head off, take it into a machine shop for a checkup, then put it back on the truck and turn all those bolts clockwise :).

You'll need an FSM and/or Chilton or Haynes manual for torque settings, bolt removal and tightening sequences, that kinda stuff, but you can totally do this yourself, and for a lot less than the mechanic will charge you.
 
KidVermicious said:
Fix it yourself. There's nothing scary about replacing a head gasket, it's just turning bolts counterclockwise. Once you get the head off, take it into a machine shop for a checkup, then put it back on the truck and turn all those bolts clockwise :).

You'll need an FSM and/or Chilton or Haynes manual for torque settings, bolt removal and tightening sequences, that kinda stuff, but you can totally do this yourself, and for a lot less than the mechanic will charge you.
Click to expand...

Are the head bolts reusable? Ive never got a straight answer on this and will be helpful for his future endeavors.
 
Couldn't tell you, hopefully somebody else can. I'd look it up in the FSM, but my PDF isn't indexed and finding anything in there is a pain in the tookus.
 
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