My wife's 2001 SR5 4x4 v6. 110k miles. Bought it just last year with 100k. One owner, had all the scheduled maintenance done (and documented) by the dealer. Including the timing belt right at 90k to give you an idea of how complete it was.
Last week, the check engine light and VSC lights came on at the same time and the engine started running rough. My wife asked me to check it out. I drove it a few minutes and new there must be some misfire, so had it towed to my mechanic.
He checks it out, rules out a couple simple things like spark plugs, and does a compression test. Here's what he told me:
"Cylinder 6 is at 60lbs vs. the others at a normal 150-160. The cylinder head will need to be removed to be inspected by a machine shop to determine what has caused this (possible causes: burnt or sticking valve, valve guides or a problem in the camshaft).
The labor time to remove and reinstall the cylinder head is 15 hours. On top of the labor, we will need a head gasket set, the replacement parts of whatever is causing the low compression, fluids and machine shop costs. The machine shop recommends inspecting both cylinder heads with any engine over 100k miles but that also means another 13 hours worth of labor to remove and inspect that one."
We're talking about a few grand in work ($3k at least at his rates). Anybody have any advice or suggestions? Is this really the only solution from here? Do you agree I should spend the $ to do the other cylinder head, too? From everything I've heard about this engine, I'm just surprised there would be such a major problem with just 110k miles, especially considering how well it's been maintained.
Please help! Thanks!
Last week, the check engine light and VSC lights came on at the same time and the engine started running rough. My wife asked me to check it out. I drove it a few minutes and new there must be some misfire, so had it towed to my mechanic.
He checks it out, rules out a couple simple things like spark plugs, and does a compression test. Here's what he told me:
"Cylinder 6 is at 60lbs vs. the others at a normal 150-160. The cylinder head will need to be removed to be inspected by a machine shop to determine what has caused this (possible causes: burnt or sticking valve, valve guides or a problem in the camshaft).
The labor time to remove and reinstall the cylinder head is 15 hours. On top of the labor, we will need a head gasket set, the replacement parts of whatever is causing the low compression, fluids and machine shop costs. The machine shop recommends inspecting both cylinder heads with any engine over 100k miles but that also means another 13 hours worth of labor to remove and inspect that one."
We're talking about a few grand in work ($3k at least at his rates). Anybody have any advice or suggestions? Is this really the only solution from here? Do you agree I should spend the $ to do the other cylinder head, too? From everything I've heard about this engine, I'm just surprised there would be such a major problem with just 110k miles, especially considering how well it's been maintained.
Please help! Thanks!
