Headgasket leak on a 1995.

D

Daemon

New member
I've been looking at used 4runners and I found a 1995 V6 with 150k miles for a good price. Interior and Exterior in excellent shape, rear window works.. etc. Engine seems strong, and all major maintence items have been done but, it reportedly has a "small headgasket leak". I've read about the headgasket issue for the 3.0 V6 here and elsewhere, but 150k miles sounds a little premature for that given reports of people with over 250k miles before headgasket failure.

What am I looking at if I decide to pick this truck up? How long will the leak last? If I spring for headgasket replacement now, what's it going to cost me? In the other 1995 4runner thread in here, someone said that Toyota will no longer pay for it.
The owner says he's willing to take something off the price, but I need to know how much that should be if it needs to go straight into the shop.

Also, it's on its original clutch. I'm assuming that it's probably shot at 150k miles, but I've seen nothing specific for the 4runner to indicate if that's a fair assumption.

Any advice would be appreciated.

ian
 
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Take the VIN by the local Toyota dealer to see if the HG recall was already performed. There's no 'real' way of knowing how long the small leak will hold.
Since it's a 95 , it may not have been included in the original recall notification, anyway. While you're at it, ask about the Steering Linkage Recall/ Replacement, too.

The 3.0's head design is not the greatest. The HG failures generally come from excess exhaust heat on the exhaust valves on cylinders #5 and #6 ( near the firewall).

I've seen some on this and other boards state that the going rate for a top end rebuild is about $1,200. Of course, this is a bit variable depending on what part of the country in which you live.

I think I would try to find out more about the 'small' leak . See EXACTLY what the seller is talking about. Look for milky residue in the engine oil and/or on the underside of the oil filler cap. Also look for oil in the coolant. Ask the seller just how and where the small leak is.

If you DO need to replace the headgaskets, use the new slipper plate steel design gaskets. They are available under the trade names Rock and Nitroseal. They can also be found at Toyota Dealerships. DO NOT USE FELPRO for this application.

Mike in AR
 
Thanks for the info.
The steering linkage recall was already handled on this vehicle.

What you're saying is in line with what I'm seeing in other threads on this topic on various usenet groups.. Ala..
http://groups.google.com/group/alt....unner+headgasket+leak&rnum=3#0a7c4fceb289a006
$300-400 for the head kit and 10 hours of labor. I haven't found any reports of 95 owners getting it fixed by Toyota out of warranty.

I still need to get back to the seller, but judging by the list of other things he had done recently he probably found out about the leak from his mechanic, so if possible I'll go directly to the source. If I can get some reasonable assurance that I shouldn't be expecting to see damage to the block already, given the current state of the leak, I'll go ahead and get the headgasket replaced. Just trying to get a feel for how much to ask the owner to knock the price down.
He's asking mid 5's and I'm thinking of offering about $1000 less.

ian
 
Two years ago, I gave $4,000 for my 92 3.0. At that time, it had 145,000 miles on it. Maybe it's just me, but I would think you could get the 95 WITH a supposedly 'known' HG problem for well under $4,000.

Even 'if' you do the HG, there may still be some unforseen issues like: fuel pump, alternator, PS pump, etc.

Mike in AR
 
I spent $7000 on my truck one year ago... The interior, body, etc, are showroom perfect. But... 6 months ago, the timing belt , water pump, and idler pulley's failed. I fixed that myself (about $200 in parts and 2 weekends of casual working).

Then in December, the headgasket on the drivers side of the engine let go. my 1995 model IS NOT in the vin #'s for the recall. I went rounds with the local toyota dealer about it, and also was quoted $3000+ for them to fix it for me.

Well, this past thursday, I decided to tackle the job myself. In 2 days, I have it down to the heads, and will have them off next thursday (working 4-5 hours a day on thursday and friday only). The top end gasket set is $200 from Advance auto parts, the head bolts around $70, the knock sensor (now is a good time to replace it) is $140, and O2 sensors (wich may or may not need replacing depending on how much coolant ran through the exhaust) about $150 for both of them.

Plus I broke a couple plastic vacuum fittings, so I'll probably have to go the junkyard and yank those... negligible cost... and I accidently knocked a small hole in the radiator - probably cost me $30-40 to get fixed.

And I'm doing all the work myself... And I'm not a professional mechanic. It's a PITA job for sure. I'd rather be wrenching on my MG or Alfa Romeo.

Here's a link to my battle with the engine so far...
http://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbt...0&page=0#192057
 
Thanks man! I'll save a ton buying from him. Gonna order it tomorrow! (glad I hadn't bought the set already) :D

Anyone got any good leads on some cheap O2 sensors and Knock sensor? I was told to replace the knock sensor while i'm in there because the wire gets brittle.
 
You can find cheap O2 sensors, but don't do it. You'll be chasing issues pretty soon. Make sure you get a Denso. I ordered mine from either AutoZone or Advance Auto, online. It came in the usual red and white striped box,, just like the ones at the dealer. I think it cost about $89 plus shipping.

No problems, since.

Mike in AR
 
I have a 95 with the orignal clutch at 183,XXX it hardly slips at all. So if you treat it well you should get a lot of miles out of it.
 
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