head/gasket fail @ 199,840 - now what?

Brian, I know this is an old thread, but it is still applicable. Where did you end up buying the JE heads if you can remember? I did a quick 5 min search on Ebay and Google and couldn't really find much other than JE pistons.
 
I had to have my gaskets replaced around 195k, but I've been running tires that are 10% larger for most of the life of my truck.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
thanks for all the comments.

just to clarify:

yes I have driven over 2,000 rpm. lol
I just kept it under 2k for the 5 mile drive to the shop. That is what I meant.

I haven't made any decisions, I will find out more once it is taken apart.

I would like some info - what do you guys think I should do if they are cracked?

I would say if there is any serious chance of a failure in next 100,000k, I am inclined to just replace them now while it is all disassembled. since I wont be doing the engine work this is likely 10-12 hr at $75/hr. pretty pricey and I dont want to do it at 260,000 again.

but I really wont know my options till Mon.

I'll keep everyone posted.
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Man, sorry to hear of your plight! This is always the type of news we all dread!
I wish my truck failed this way, instead of the lower end! My butchers bill will be over $2k, and that's with ME doing the work! At the least, you're looking at $1k... at worst maybe $1.8K... maybe..?? I agree with others such as COB, but until you find out the condition of the heads, no decisions... You clearly have all the options covered! I wish you luck and I appreciate all the advice you've given to me and others, since I joined.
 
[MENTION=81614]poleclimber63[/MENTION]

check the dates in this thread :usa2:


Last update was in 2010.


I am back and running smooth!

I have now had the truck back for 2 days and it is running smooth. I still haven't driven it very hard, I've been sticking to low RPMs < 3500.

I added Downey headers since the engine top was already apart. They are definitely a nice addition to the rig. I'll post more details on that in my build thread.

As I said before, I ended needing a new or refurbished head b/c of a crack in my #3 CYL. I opted to replace both heads with JE heads.

Total parts $1600 for two *new* JE heads and all Toyota gaskets.
Labor: $1100

These are two totally new heads. They are from an aftermarket company. I hope they hold up my mechanic is big into the racing scene, they build Toyota trucks for baja. He told me that JE is a good brand and I shouldn't have any problems. Only one of the heads cracked but I decided to do both. I didn't want to deal with any head issues in near future.
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Oversight...

BrianSD_42 said:
[MENTION=81614]poleclimber63[/MENTION]

check the dates in this thread :usa2:


Last update was in 2010.
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Sorry, I was cruising threads last night pertaining to "engine replacement" as I'm in the middle of it now, and I didnt notice the date of the thread, OOPS! All of the info is 100% valuable as experience. I'm glad it worked out!

How much mileage do you have on your 4Runner now?

Thanks again!
 
diverscale said:
Those are the most detailed and well done DIY video I've seen in very long, I am listening to it like I would be listening to a movie right now
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Yes - he is really good at this - he should get a show on Velocity. I would pay for these videos.
 
So my 98 4runner decided it was time to change the timing belt and it told me this by blowing the head gasket (I'm pretty sure). I've been suspicious for a while and I noticed the coolant level was going down and the exhaust smells kind of sweet, and I checked under the oil fill cap and yep, there's white cream. It still drives fine though but I'm hesitant to do much driving with it now in case I damage the engine.

I don't recall it ever overheating but last spring I was climbing a mountain pass going really slow so there wasn't much wind on the radiator and I did notice the temperature needle crept up a little bit. Not much though. This was before I was using the Scangauge to monitor temps, and before I replaced the fan clutch. That was thousands of km ago.

<iframe width="980" height="410" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QjTSnaqUX4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

So now I have 3 4runners, two with blown head gaskets. I ordered this one from Amazon for my mom's blown head gasket but didn't install it. I could use it. I didn't know anything about them at the time but the reviews seemed good.

https://www.amazon.com/Evergreen-HS...007Y8BD0M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

It doesn't actually say if it's graphite or MLS. It's at my mom's house right now so I can't look at it. The compression tester is also there.

Or I could order OEM. But do I want another OEM one?

Head Gasket - Toyota (11115-62081) | Camelback Toyota Parts

What brand did you guys use?

Now I just gotta get the 2000 salvage build out of the garage so I can park the 98 Desert Dune in there for a few months to rip it apart. I'll use the Youtube video guide by Worse Than Chiggers.
 
Mark_BC said:
So my 98 4runner decided it was time to change the timing belt and it told me this by blowing the head gasket (I'm pretty sure). I've been suspicious for a while and I noticed the coolant level was going down and the exhaust smells kind of sweet, and I checked under the oil fill cap and yep, there's white cream. It still drives fine though but I'm hesitant to do much driving with it now in case I damage the engine.

I don't recall it ever overheating but last spring I was climbing a mountain pass going really slow so there wasn't much wind on the radiator and I did notice the temperature needle crept up a little bit. Not much though. This was before I was using the Scangauge to monitor temps, and before I replaced the fan clutch. That was thousands of km ago.

<iframe width="980" height="410" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QjTSnaqUX4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

So now I have 3 4runners, two with blown head gaskets. I ordered this one from Amazon for my mom's blown head gasket but didn't install it. I could use it. I didn't know anything about them at the time but the reviews seemed good.

https://www.amazon.com/Evergreen-HS...007Y8BD0M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

It doesn't actually say if it's graphite or MLS. It's at my mom's house right now so I can't look at it. The compression tester is also there.

Or I could order OEM. But do I want another OEM one?

Head Gasket - Toyota (11115-62081) | Camelback Toyota Parts

What brand did you guys use?

Now I just gotta get the 2000 salvage build out of the garage so I can park the 98 Desert Dune in there for a few months to rip it apart. I'll use the Youtube video guide by Worse Than Chiggers.
Click to expand...

Order an OEM. I've never even heard of evergreen. If you want to go cheaper at least go Fel-pro.

Here's a great saying I enjoy :The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
 
APhelps said:
Order an OEM. I've never even heard of evergreen. If you want to go cheaper at least go Fel-pro.

Here's a great saying I enjoy :The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
Click to expand...

Yeah I assume the OEM one is just the head gasket so I could order a pair of those and then use all the other bits from the Evergreen kit.
 
Throw back to 2011....

I think if something like this ever happened to my runner, i would just get a new engine. Dime a dozen now.
 
Mark_BC said:
Yeah I assume the OEM one is just the head gasket so I could order a pair of those and then use all the other bits from the Evergreen kit.
Click to expand...

Why not just buy the engine gasket kit from Toyota? Re-doing a valve cover job isn't fun. Or replacing cam seals. Do it once and then never do it again. I get not buying new Toyota hoses or etc.
 
Last edited:
eBay has rebuilt "zero mile" 5ve's for about $1500. Not sure about shipping but you'd be in about $2K I'd guess for a beautiful "new" engine. From there you could save the head gasket engine and work on it at your leisure (if you have the space). Slowly rebuilt it and then you have another motor waiting, ready to go as one idea. Always have a spare for what sounds like an army of 3rd gens.

When I redid my top end, I got Fel-Pro and it seemed like good quality. Expensive part will be new head bolts if you follow FSM. Those were going for like $12-16 A PIECE 9 yrs ago... And you need 16 total.

I highly recommend NOT junking any of the vehicles. People shy away from a big job but you could pounce and become an expert on what really isn't that hard of a job.

Good luck
 
Well my original engine did last another 40k miles after I did the head swap. Then at 240K it failed with a lower block issue, loss of compression and failed leakdown test.

I decided at that point to do an engine swap and I paid the Truck Shop for a used engine and they did the swap. Happy so far. Running great. It's been a few years and nearly 20K later, now almost at 260K.

I don't drive the truck as often except for trips since my 08 Acura TL is my DD.
.
 
Up from the dead. I've got 298k on my rig and I've got a bad misfire. I bought the truck from a co worker and I had helped him work on it the last 10 years. It now has a bad cyl 3 misfire. That plug is very stuck. I removed it once but the threads still aren't right. I suspect a cracked head as it loses coolant a little bit. It used to just misfire for a sec at startup. As of this week it does it all the time. I changed all plugs and wires maybe a year ago and I just changed all coil boots and it ran ok for a day. Car received all new injectors a few years ago. I'm down to doing a leakdown but this number 3 plug is stuck again. I'm afraid if I just strong arm it, I'm going to rip the threads out. I cleared the codes a few days ago (cyl 3 misfire ) but since changing the coil boots it hasn't returned although the misfire is very present for several miles but not flagging a code now. I'm thinking I may also have a bad injector again. I remember reading an injector won't flag a code?
Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm a very competent shadetree but this truck is costing more than it's worth to me. I am not afraid of any job including cylinder head RNR but questioning if it's worth it. Considering some blue devil fix and call it a day.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Well my original engine did last another 40k miles after I did the head swap. Then at 240K it failed with a lower block issue, loss of compression and failed leakdown test.

I decided at that point to do an engine swap and I paid the Truck Shop for a used engine and they did the swap. Happy so far. Running great. It's been a few years and nearly 20K later, now almost at 260K.

I don't drive the truck as often except for trips since my 08 Acura TL is my DD.
.
Click to expand...

Brian, first thank you lots of good information in this thread. Opinions of the JE heads you bought? You swap them to your new engine? Any regrets with the purchase? I'm in a very similar situation and looking to replace both heads.
 
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