Head gasket 3vze

[aric711]

Ok, need some help. I need to do the head gasket on my 93 runner 3.0. I've done valve cover gaskets before on a 4 cylinder. I need to know if I need any special tools or equipment, and if there are any tips or tricks to know. I plan on taking pictures as I go to know how things go back together. I have the service manual and I'm gonna bag each set of bolts/parts and label them for rebuild. Any other help would be super appreciated. Thanks everyone. Any idea on how much time it will take?

Aric

 

[nicnmike]

There are a million write ups on it like this one: Head Gasket Replacement 95 4runner SR5 3VZE - YotaTech Forums

Read as many as you can find, or until you feel comfortable with what is involved. You should also make a list of all the parts you will need and all the parts that should be replaced when performing this procedure. If it were me, I'd take the heads to a machine shop and have them resurfaced and gone over. If you have all the parts and nothing goes wrong and you don't take your heads to a shop, then it should take less than a day. Good luck!

 

[KidVermicious]

When I did the head on my 4banger, I took lots and lots of pictures, I put every bolt I could back in it's hole and I bagged and tagged the rest, and I scribbled all over the motor and vacuum hoses and harness plugs with a paint pen so I knew exactly what went where. Those things were hugely helpful keeping me oriented and organized.

Absolutely take your heads to a shop, there's no sense in getting that far and then not making sure they're good.

Good luck!

 

[aric711]

Can you give me an idea of what would be reasonable for a shop to charge for this? I'm trying to "sell" my wife on letting my try it, but she remains unconvinced So I want to be able to show her the savings. I have a spare car I can use in the meantime so I wont be under a real big time crunch. I am however, a novice and this will go far beyond anything that I've tried before.

thanks,

 

[supra6m]

The VERY first thing you need to do is call the dealership and give them the VIN. You might still be able to get it repaired for free under the recall. Or you can go to the Toyota website, click on "owners" then click" recall, service campaigns" and do it from there. You have to start an account but it only takes a few minutes. as for cost... I got an est. from the shop I worked at and it was just shy of 2 grand for them to fix it with my discount. Im in the process of doing the HG's on my 95 right now and if you decide to do it yourself I HIGHLY recommend you get an actual Toyota service repair manual, not just a Chilton or Hayne. The TSRM amost walks you through it step my step.

 

[loko ino]

When I did this on my 93 it took a Master mechanic and I about 5 days working like 4 hours a night to complete...and he has a full on shop. It is a big job for a novice but I think can be done if you take your time and tag everything. The shops were going to charge me between $1500 and $2000..I did it myself with buddy for total of $850 in parts.

 

[KidVermicious]

.I did it myself with buddy for total of $850 in parts.

Yow! Was that new heads?

 

[loko ino]

Yow! Was that new heads?

Heads tested out good, took them in to a reputable machine shop suggested by previously mentioned mechanic buddy. they pressured checked them and cleaned them up nice.
I bought all parts on eBay and Rockauto. Also replaced the timing belt, water pump, pulleys and all that while I was in there plus full tune-up. Figured what the hell since it was all torn apart anyway.

 

[aric711]

Yeah, no dice on the recall. Already called and they said it was done in 97. I was so disappointed. I totally was hoping for a miracle. Anyway, I was kinda thinking it was gonna be about 2500 or so cause I also want to do the timing service and water pump too. Thought the same thing, If we're in there, get it all done at once. I priced parts about $800 as well, and I think that included a new oil pump? Heard might want to do that and the knock sensor wire? I think is what I saw?

 

[92-SR5]

$2500! :jaw: You can get a new 3vze cheaper than that.

 

[loko ino]

Yeah, no dice on the recall. Already called and they said it was done in 97. I was so disappointed. I totally was hoping for a miracle. Anyway, I was kinda thinking it was gonna be about 2500 or so cause I also want to do the timing service and water pump too. Thought the same thing, If we're in there, get it all done at once. I priced parts about $800 as well, and I think that included a new oil pump? Heard might want to do that and the knock sensor wire? I think is what I saw?

Definitely do the knock sensor harness while in there..mine was brittle as hell.

 

[loko ino]

$2500! :jaw: You can get a new 3vze cheaper than that.

Yep..but there are a lot of hours that goes into doing the headgasket on these, trust me...lots of work.
The shop actually suggested I just sell it to a yard...considering I paid $2500 for it..lol

 

[92-SR5]

Yeah I know what is involved, that is the reason I parted out my 88.

 

[aric711]

Yeah, so.....

Here's the deal. They called me back today and said that with the timing service, head gasket replacement, and changing oil pump and knock sensor; it was gonna be "around $3k". So here's my question. Am I crazy in thinking I should just pour some blue devil down the radiator and run it till it dies? It only has 95k miles on it, and the interior is like new, but there is some pretty significant rust on the body and I know there is a leak at the gas tank somewhere too. I'll attach pics of the rust. I pulled the door under the passenger side seat yesterday and the lines look really rusty, with flaking rust, but its not leaking from there. I think It's leaking from towards the top of the tank where that is also rusted and appears to be leaking from a seam in the tank itself. I paid 3600 for the truck beginning of last summer and have put about 5k miles on it since then. I've already put new brakes, belts, and VSS sensor on it and have replace some gaskets between the brake fluid reservoir and MC. I just feel like it needs so much it might be best to just drive it until it dies and then go from there? Let me know your thoughts. (My wife is already saying it should be sold/scrapped/destroyed in other ways) Thanks for the input!

 

[KidVermicious]

Personally, I feel that these trucks are worth it. I think most olders cars are worth it, not just Toyotas. Once the maintenance needs are caught up, you will always pay less to keep an older car on the road than in financing a new car. Always.

Unfortunately, it looks like your truck was neglected and you're in the "catching up the maintenance needs" process, and that can absolutely hurt the pocketbook if you're not doing the work yourself. My recommendation is to get a Chiltons and get greasy.

 

[nicnmike]

You could sell this one and buy one that's in a little better shape and start from there. You can always find a bargain on CL if you're persistent: checking every hour and calling as soon as one pops up.

If this is just a "toy" and mods are in the future, or if you don't really care about the rust, then I'd say go for it! Especially if the frame is in good shape. Might as well learn on something that isn't worth much anyway (in monetary value).

 

[aric711]

That's kinda what I was thinking. It is my DD so probably no major mods, but would like to do some I've seen around here. I have another vehicle that I could use while I worked on this one, but when I pop the hood and see all those vacuum hoses, I must say I freak out a little. Luckily its not leaking into the engine, but the gasket failed outside the engine. (ie, coolant running out onto the road) So its not really hurting anything to drive it currently. Just thinking about driving it until I cant, and then maybe going from there. Then I can learn on a $700 paperweight

 

[aric711]

OK, so this is what I've done. I went to autozone and bought a can of Blue Devil--GASP! I know but when pricing everything out the shop wanted about the same amount to replace the engine as they did to fix the one that's in there. Anyhow, I'll drive it for a while and let you know what happens, if anything. I'm hoping I can make it limp through till may and then fix it at that time. I guess we'll see.

 

[riverview]

Personally, I feel that these trucks are worth it. I think most olders cars are worth it, not just Toyotas. Once the maintenance needs are caught up, you will always pay less to keep an older car on the road than in financing a new car. Always.

Unfortunately, it looks like your truck was neglected and you're in the "catching up the maintenance needs" process, and that can absolutely hurt the pocketbook if you're not doing the work yourself. My recommendation is to get a Chiltons and get greasy.

I am about 3200 into catch up maintance on my 92 3liter runner. 1500 for a jdm engine that runs great all wheel bearings front shafts new ball joints and steering rod ends brakes exhaust tires. right now it is a great running and driveing truck gets around 20mpg on the road. but i still have to fix the rust and make bumpers and roof rack. i figure to be into it around 4k when i am done. When new vehicals are 25k to 55k my runner will be about 10 monts worh of payments. I wont have a new runner but it will be mechanicly sound and better than stock. If you like the truck i would repair the motor or replace it.

 

[aric711]

Well I've decided I'm gonna give it a shot and try and fix it myself. I'll try and post up as I go along. (even though there are already about a hundred HG repair threads) I think it will be a few weeks before I can begin, but I think I'll have a garage I can work in beginning in May. I'll keep this up to date as things change, and once I get started. Lord knows I'll need some help at some point.