Help with 4runner head gasket replacement!

[billcollector]

I own a 98 4runner with 190k miles on the original engine. I took it to my mechanic to get a full tune up. He called me to his shop to show me a serious issue with the truck. A noticeable amount of coolant debris has built up between the head and the block. He also pointed out 2 of the pistons were leaking. He says he wouldn't expect the truck to last too much longer driving it the way it is. He recommends resurfacing the heads and rebuilding the engine. The engine doesn't leak and there's no noticeable signs of a cracked head, but he recommended having the head resurfaced while it's already pulled out to be on the safe side. However, I've read online numerous times that these cylinder heads are only expected to last between 200-300k miles before they fail. I've also read that the cylinder head bolts must be replaced. Can anyone chip in on this?

(NOTE: The truck runs great. But recently it started to idle high on start ups. The engine never overheats, no rough driving or anything else out of the ordinary.)

 

[amalik]

If there is proof of a headgasket failure, then you need to get it replaced. It doesn't matter if these heads or engines have been 'known' to last 200-300k... that depends on a lot of factors and variables, for example owner maintenance, driving style, etc etc. Knowing that another member's engine/headgasket/heads/etc have lasted to 300k and your's didn't won't really help you in the current situation

While the engine is that torn apart, it's just obvious you also get the heads checked and resurfaced if necessary. Would you like to risk putting a head back on that is cracked for example, with a new headgasket? You would then be at a tear down again down the line.

Now, in terms of pistons and rebuilding everything, *THATS* another story, and another set of decisions. You may want to look for a long block from a wrecked or lower miles (JDM) type of engine (California has plenty of both), because rebuilding + labor may really end up way more expensive than a swap with a lower-mileage engine. Also, I haven't experienced a rebuild myself, but on this forum the thought is pretty popular that rebuilds are not nearly as good as lower-mile-engine-swaps.

From my POV, the risk with that is well, your new (old) engine may end up with a Headgasket or Head problems itself down the road... so you will have to evaluate your choices.

If you do a couple of searches here on the forum in the 3rd gen section (keywords head gasket, engine rebuild, etc) -- you will find numerous threads of people in your situation in the past and what they ultimately chose to do.

My 2 cents.

 

[nissanh]

Rebuilt TOYOTA engines last max of 100K. Get a low mile JDM engine.
I 100% agree with the previous poster!

 

[kball]

I own a 98 4runner with 190k miles on the original engine. I took it to my mechanic to get a full tune up. He called me to his shop to show me a serious issue with the truck. A noticeable amount of coolant debris has built up between the head and the block. He also pointed out 2 of the pistons were leaking. He says he wouldn't expect the truck to last too much longer driving it the way it is. He recommends resurfacing the heads and rebuilding the engine. The engine doesn't leak and there's no noticeable signs of a cracked head, but he recommended having the head resurfaced while it's already pulled out to be on the safe side. However, I've read online numerous times that these cylinder heads are only expected to last between 200-300k miles before they fail. I've also read that the cylinder head bolts must be replaced. Can anyone chip in on this?

(NOTE: The truck runs great. But recently it started to idle high on start ups. The engine never overheats, no rough driving or anything else out of the ordinary.)

Did this mechanic already pull the head? Hopefully not...

Coolant build up between head and the block? So it's external? Who cares as long as it's a slow leak at worst.

Your mechanic says he doesn't think it will last much longer the way it is but you say it drives great...? I say keep driving until it gives you a reason to pull it apart.

Where is this coolant buildup?

 

[02SE]

Rebuilt TOYOTA engines last max of 100K. Get a low mile JDM engine.

That might be true, if the rebuilt engine is "rebuilt" by a hack.

A JDM engine, is just a used engine with no known history. Some are OK, others are neglected junk.




As for the OEM Head Bolts, they are TTY (Torque To Yield) fasteners. So yes, they should be replaced with new Head Bolts. Some of those "hacks' I was referring to, will often re-use the head bolts. Then you have the real possibility of insufficient clamping force on the headgasket(s), and subsequent early failure of the headgasket(s).

 

[BrianSD_42]

(NOTE: The truck runs great. But recently it started to idle high on start ups. T

Personally I would be HIGHLY suspicious of any mechanic that recommended a $4000 rebuild on an engine that "runs great" and especially considering the truck is probably worth less than $8k.

If it isn't overheating or thowing any codes I would just drive it and start a savings account for fixing it when the engine blows. You will want to get up to about $2k in savings for a new USED engine.

Alternatively you could replace the heads but either way why do anything until it has happened? It just doesn't make sense to me. You said clearly it isn't showing any current head issues he just told you that an engine replacement is in the future. Ok so assume that is the case, either way you will want to just drive it since it may be 2 years before anything major fails. I guess the risk is that you will lose the whole engine but still I could never see premptively paying $4000 (and he will charge that much) for a rebuild to be a good idea. Just do a search on this site about rebuilds - you will see that many don't turn out well for the next owner of the vehicle.

 

[KimIsAGuy]

I recently rebuild my head gaskets, was lame. Mine did have a heating issue, you can see coolant mixed with the motor oil. Now I'm tracing to see and make sure the heads were done correctly. That's my mine concern because I was driving to Pismo Beach and it heated up on me. I had to pull over so it wouldn't over heat on me. Now I'm trying to figure what's going on with my cooling system. Nothing is wrong with the car now that I've replaced the radiator, but I haven't gone anywhere where its hot and put a lot of stress on the car to tell.

If I had the money, time, or skills to work on cars, personally, I would have done the engine swap. Head gasket jobs, yeah you can get it done. But honestly, its harder to do than an engine swap (according to the mechanics and friends who are mechanics told me.) Also, because of the chances of them doing it wrong or doing a shitty job can result to being back to square one.

 

[Coveman]

Ug...Maybe a second opinion is in order? If its an external leak you may be able to band-aid it for a while.

If its leaking internally and going into the crankcase / out the exhaust you're on borrowed time. Have a mechanic check the antifreeze for hydrocarbons if in doubt.

I went through a BHG on another car and had to go through all the same options. Labor is a primary expense and a used engine / JDM is a crapshoot, and a rebuilt motor generally wont last as long as the original.

Do you want to keep it for a while? If you drop $$$ on the engine is the rest of the truck in good shape and worth it? Or is it time to cut your losses and find something new?

Good luck!

 

[KimIsAGuy]

Do you want to keep it for a while? If you drop $$$ on the engine is the rest of the truck in good shape and worth it? Or is it time to cut your losses and find something new?

Good luck!

My decision went like this, I had the car since 70k - 280k. I know the bottom part of the block is solid, car rides amazing, only thing that is broken is those stupid a$$ cupholders... I choose to do the head gasket because I'm chancing with the used motor from Japan, plus it was quoted for me 5k for an engine replacement, and head gasket was 2k.

So, would I gamble on the block and mechanic putting it in or gamble on the mechanic fixing the heads only?

Assuming, you do luck out with a good block ( I don't know the chances of that, but based on the forum chances looking good. ) That block would be better than the rebuild, in my opinion. But, I didn't have the money for it...