How screwed am I? Blown Headgasket?
- Thread starter 4Running Daily
- Start date
4Running Daily
New member
Thanks for your offer! Let's wait and see what happens when they call me tomorrow. There will be yelling.
The car has been sitting for about 3 years, I've just been putting miles on it for a year. So
Cylinder #3 4 years ago was filled with coolant. Cylinder #3 is on the passenger side. My problem this time is drivers side.
Did an oil change on Friday. Still looked clean and clear today.
Money for the ST isn't there yet, couple more months...
Brian uses The Truck Shop which has some OK reviews. AAA toys my car free for 7 miles, so that's why I like keeping it in Escondido.
I have no idea why they didn't replace the other side. They're idiots.
I'm 16, I have no choice but to go to the place my parents want to. My name isn't on the title.
JohnsD90
New member
Why are you going to yell at the shop? That will not solve the problem, and unless you know exactly what you are talking about you can make yourself look like an ass, even if they are ****ing you around.
Well, if they are paying for it it is their choice on where to go. At that point i wouldn't give a crap, just let them fix it and drive it when it comes home.
It's like $60 a year extra to upgrade the whole AAA family plan to get 100 free miles of towing, just an FYI. (keep it in mind for the future, like when you go far away on wheeling trips)
I'm not trying to offensive at all in these posts.
4Running Daily
New member
I agree with all of these points.
KidVermicious
New member
... Also, somebody reach over there and smack 4RunningDaily. I wanna see how his motor runs at 30 years old.
I've been waiting for this, oh how I've been waiting for this. I'll just leave these here, shall I?
Sorry about this. Whatever the shop says the trouble is, I agree that you should break out the wrenches and take a swing at it yourself. Especially if you've got your parents wallet for backup!
sportscarfan
New member
V8 swap time
4Running Daily
New member
I've been waiting for this, oh how I've been waiting for this. I'll just leave these here, shall I?
Sorry about this. Whatever the shop says the trouble is, I agree that you should break out the wrenches and take a swing at it yourself. Especially if you've got your parents wallet for backup!
Ahhh Mann
Guess I had that coming! Hahaha
BrianSD_42
New member
I would never say doing a head job is easy whether you are a 16 or 25 and have never done it before.
There are a lot of things you can screw up, getting it to run for 10k miles vs 100k miles are two very different things.
My head was cracked on CYL#3 and I'm sure yours being a 96 with near 170k miles are not in great shape either. The thing is you only know if it is cracked once you pull it off.
If your dad can have them fix the other side cheap, say $1200 and just do the gasket then so be it. But it isn't a long term (5 year) fix.
But considering your family has multiple cars it is probably best to go the cheap route and drive it till it breaks, then do an engine swap in a few years.
There are a lot of things you can screw up, getting it to run for 10k miles vs 100k miles are two very different things.
My head was cracked on CYL#3 and I'm sure yours being a 96 with near 170k miles are not in great shape either. The thing is you only know if it is cracked once you pull it off.
If your dad can have them fix the other side cheap, say $1200 and just do the gasket then so be it. But it isn't a long term (5 year) fix.
But considering your family has multiple cars it is probably best to go the cheap route and drive it till it breaks, then do an engine swap in a few years.
4Running Daily
New member
This.
Bored to 3.6 L
Stick a supercharger on it.
2.2 pulley
Meth injection
7th injector
LittleCaesar
New member
Hopefully the diagnosis is good, but if not.....
Here you go:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/84683-tb-hg-photo-timeline.html
It should make for a good project for you and Brian and whomever else wants to jump in.
Here you go:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/84683-tb-hg-photo-timeline.html
It should make for a good project for you and Brian and whomever else wants to jump in.
4Running Daily
New member
They confirmed its a head gasket. They are investigating as to why it broke. It was replaced March 2009, 14,000 miles ago
TRDteen
New member
Sorry to hear this man! I wonder why it broke. Keep us updated! Good luck with everything Connor!
BrianSD_42
New member
Did they use the Toyota gasket kit?
Take it to a different mechanic. Don't pay them twice
Take it to a different mechanic. Don't pay them twice
Ol'Blue
New member
Some BS man...
Conner,
I know my 2 cents mean nothing but-
There is no reason if a quality head gasket was used in the first place this should of happened. I'm not saying it is the shops fault but if it was me I would make them eat it if it was the one they did. The motor should not be eating head gaskets at 14k. If it is the other one they did not do, then that is another story all together.
I would tell the shop they fix one side and just pay to have the other side done. This will end this issue(all the shop is out is the part to fix the side they did). Also, use a good quality part like Fel-Pro gaskets. They make great quality stuff or Org Toyota Parts. Insist on that! Don't let the Fer's cut corners to make a buck off you're family. I built a 460 Ford big block(600 HP) with them(Fel-Pro) and they never once let me down once.
Also, if you just want to drop a new motor in I know where one is close to you guys. Call Ryan at Hyw. 67 Truck Dismantlement(619) 390-1618. He will take care of you man.They are good people over there and they work fast and have great stuff. I loved just cruising around the yard.
Keep us posted man.
Blue
Conner,
I know my 2 cents mean nothing but-
There is no reason if a quality head gasket was used in the first place this should of happened. I'm not saying it is the shops fault but if it was me I would make them eat it if it was the one they did. The motor should not be eating head gaskets at 14k. If it is the other one they did not do, then that is another story all together.
I would tell the shop they fix one side and just pay to have the other side done. This will end this issue(all the shop is out is the part to fix the side they did). Also, use a good quality part like Fel-Pro gaskets. They make great quality stuff or Org Toyota Parts. Insist on that! Don't let the Fer's cut corners to make a buck off you're family. I built a 460 Ford big block(600 HP) with them(Fel-Pro) and they never once let me down once.
Also, if you just want to drop a new motor in I know where one is close to you guys. Call Ryan at Hyw. 67 Truck Dismantlement(619) 390-1618. He will take care of you man.They are good people over there and they work fast and have great stuff. I loved just cruising around the yard.
Keep us posted man.
Blue
Chandler_Ross
New member
Any word on if it was the other side that blew?
Ol'Blue
New member
More Options...
Conner,
I called Ryan but got his partner George. He has three 3.4's that are all intact. He said 1,200.00 and they just want the core back (Meaning they get the old motor that is eating head gaskets). He will give you 90 warranty on the engine at no charge at all. So, if it something is messed up, you will know it and they will fix it, easy. Like I said they are cool dudes and strait shooters over they and are about customer service.:thumb:
Blue
Conner,
I called Ryan but got his partner George. He has three 3.4's that are all intact. He said 1,200.00 and they just want the core back (Meaning they get the old motor that is eating head gaskets). He will give you 90 warranty on the engine at no charge at all. So, if it something is messed up, you will know it and they will fix it, easy. Like I said they are cool dudes and strait shooters over they and are about customer service.:thumb:
Blue
If by new, you mean a used engine with an unknown history, that may or may not be better than what he has, I'd be inclined to properly fix what he has.
Of course properly fixing it is the key.
If the headgasket that just failed, is the same one that the shop fixed previously, I would find a different, more competent shop.
A properly replaced headgasket, shouldn't fail in 14k miles.
Ol'Blue
New member
You bring up a good point. They compression check it etc. Ryan is a good dude. He is not out to screw people and if it is a junk motor he will not sell it. Just how he is. Most his stuff he buys from Police and DEA drug busts in San Diego, Riverside County, Orange County CA. Allot of his cars run when they come in. He just parts them out. Only one 4runner he has was actually hit and a total. I have not got anything from him that has not worked. I got a 1200 dollar HVAC unit for 75 bucks. Works perfectly.
4Running Daily
New member
Still haven't heard any other news.
I'm not making any decisions until I hear back if the head is warped or not. Or what they believe to be the problem.
I appreciate all of you for your help, especially OlBlue. If I need a new engine I will no doubt take you up on your offer.
Brian, they do warranty their work. So I will not be paying them twice.
BrianSD_42
New member
Great news .. good luck!
Be sure to ask for compression test #s
