is this a good buy!!??

Jc12

Jc12

New member
Hey guys, i've only been a 3rd gen owner but i recently had to sell it due to massive commutes :( I need something to tow my boat short distances and i love these convertible runners.. could i be getting myself in way over my head hear.. it doesn't sound like a headgasket leak, who knows how honest he is being but nonetheless sounds more like oil pan or main seal to dump like that. thoughts and opinions, thanks!

1989 Toyota 4runner
 
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Hey, another member from Vancouver! Nice.

I saw this ad earlier today. Doesn't sound like a headgasket issue to me either. Maybe the oil drain plug or oil filter is loose hehe. You should go take a look at it and see if you can see where it's leaking from; could be a cheap/easy fix.
 
Yeah, it might be worth a look for sure. If this guy is being honest about his lack of knowledge regarding the oil leak, you might could get it for a steal.

I'd find out where the oil is coming from though. Losing that much oil, there's GOT to be a trail or at least it should be easy to duplicate.
 
IMO, you were better off with the 3.4L in a third gen. Although, I've heard stories of people having luck with the 3.0L, so you maybe have a 50/50 shot of getting a good running 4Runner after you fix the oil leak.
Just my two cents
 
Cheap is cheap, and if he's considering his other option to be "the scrapper" then he ought to take a somewhat low offer, right?
 
Offer him $500 and see what happens, it's a perfect candidate for a 3.4 swap. You'll want it anyway if you're planning on towing anything heavier than a canoe :).
 
KidVermicious said:
Offer him $500 and see what happens, it's a perfect candidate for a 3.4 swap. You'll want it anyway if you're planning on towing anything heavier than a canoe :).
Click to expand...

Haha, in my old '90 4Runner with 3.0. I had a 3 person couch in the back (tailgate folded down) and another 3 person couch on the roof. Boy, sure was 3.slow-going.
 
lots of space but at least it's light lol. I had about 7-800lbs in the back.

3.0 is fine. it is what it is. Looks like a good deal.
 
thanks for the help so far guys! He just told me the speedo/odo does not work (recently) and the rear window doesn't roll and he has tried replacing the motor. i am going to check it out today hopefully.. he has had a few no shows so if it looks good hell be happy to see any bit of cash :)
 
so i just took a look.. very nice guy, real upfront and not very knowledgeable about cars. I could not figure out where the leak was coming from, the dipstick was dry and he said he filled it up after the initial loss and did not drive far afterward.. so the leak must be coming from somewhere low right. I took some pics, it does look like its on the side of the block by the driver side its nearly impossible to see where exactly as there is oil (mostly old) all over. I couldnt find the oil cooler but i did check the obvious and the drain plug/filter etc were all fine. thoughts? thanks!

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Spray down the driver side block with some starting fluid to clean up all old oil. Put new oil in it and start it up and try to find the source. I do not know much about the 3.0l, but could it be from an oil port on the side of the block?

Did you guys talk a price? That is a clean looking runner.
 
Bad_Vision said:
3.0 is know for valve cover leaks it could just all be coming from there and falling on everything on the way down.
Click to expand...

thats what i was hoping :) but the VC's looked pretty clean.. do you think the dipstick would come up dry if it were just the VC's leaking? and not something lower..
 
USE911 said:
Spray down the driver side block with some starting fluid to clean up all old oil. Put new oil in it and start it up and try to find the source. I do not know much about the 3.0l, but could it be from an oil port on the side of the block?

Did you guys talk a price? That is a clean looking runner.
Click to expand...

never spoke price but he mentioned an offer of 750 which he seemed more than happy with (the guy of course never showed up). So i am confident i could get away with a few hundred bucks.. but my biggest issue is no room to park it and the fear of the unknown as to where it is leaking from

interior was pretty rough, he said it drove well, brakes worked, clutch was good etc etc. He basically removed all the cloth from the rear and put plastic panels in and seemed to treat it like a pick up (not closing the rear window or leaving the top off in rain storms) The body has usual rust where he rhino lined over (he showed me), but frame was very solid.
 
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Kinda hard to guesstimate where the oil leak is, but from the pictures my guess would be from the oil filter itself. Someone may have either over torqued it, or messed up the gasket.

Either way - if you can get it 'as is' for $500.00 - I'd go for it! Great project vehicle.

Rip out the interior - put in a roll cage.

Track down the oil leak (probably not a big deal).

Armor up!

Just think of all the possibilities!

:banana:
 
I don't see the oil cooler so you don't have one. 3vze blocks have an oil filter boss on the left side of the engine, both front and back. (pickups use the rear boss for the oil filter)

The oil cooler is round and bolts to the other boss. your pictures show the other boss and I didn't see the cooler.

Just spray the whole side of the engine down... simple green, brake cleaner etc. get it nice and clean, and then start it. watch the oil pressure sender for a leak a well. That should be visible just below the alternator on the left side of the engine.
 
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