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swedge

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I've been lurking here for a month now and I'm still shopping. Saw this today and wanted some feedback from the experts.

2002 Toyota 4runner Sport Edition

I emailed the guy and he said that the only work done was an 'antifreeze sealant' done by a local shop because of a small leak at the head gasket. Not too sure about that one. He said he'd take $9500.
 
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swedge said:
I've been lurking here for a month now and I'm still shopping. Saw this today and wanted some feedback from the experts.

2002 Toyota 4runner Sport Edition

I emailed the guy and he said that the only work done was an 'antifreeze sealant' done by a local shop because of a small leak at the head gasket. Not too sure about that one. He said he'd take $9500.
Click to expand...

2WD? 4WD? Sounds a little sketch to me. If it is not the right one, be patient man. Took me months to find mine.
 
Im the type that just says buy it because its fixable. These trucks are generally easy to work on. The one thing that I have nightmares about is buying a truck that they used that anti freeze sealant stuff. Its like "head gasket fix in a bottle". Its nasty stuff. I don't have a clue why any shop would put that into an engine.

Go look at the car, and check the coolant. See if there is any sort of reddish adobe looking stuff.

Basically what he is saying is that it has a blown headgasket, and they used duct tape to fix it. Duct tape might fix it for a bit but trying to remove the old duct tape leaves that gross gooey adhesive and linen mess, this fix-a-gasket in a bottle is the same thing. Getting the engine clean of that stuff takes work.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of passing on this one. I'm getting antsy because I'm driving a borrowed car now and want to get something soon. I'm partial to the sport model. I went this past Saturday and looked at three. First one was a 2000 sport. Looked nice, but undercarriage was rough. Second was a 2002 sport which looked and drove nice, but they wouldn't budge on the 11,900 asking price. The third looked like someone used the front end for bb gun target practice. I can't believe they want 11 plus for a ten year old vehicle with 100k miles. It's either a crazy used car market now or testament to the resale of 4runners.

Here's another I might look at, but it's a hike:

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD Silver (Super Clean) SUV
 
Baja Runner said:
Im the type that just says buy it because its fixable. These trucks are generally easy to work on. The one thing that I have nightmares about is buying a truck that they used that anti freeze sealant stuff. Its like "head gasket fix in a bottle". Its nasty stuff. I don't have a clue why any shop would put that into an engine.

Go look at the car, and check the coolant. See if there is any sort of reddish adobe looking stuff.

Basically what he is saying is that it has a blown headgasket, and they used duct tape to fix it. Duct tape might fix it for a bit but trying to remove the old duct tape leaves that gross gooey adhesive and linen mess, this fix-a-gasket in a bottle is the same thing. Getting the engine clean of that stuff takes work.
Click to expand...

Besides the Rust issues, i find it a ***** to work on the 4Runner, im not the biggest dude, but damn it is a ***** to work in this engine bay, i can't fit my hands anywhere, and so much of the stuff is in an asinine location. The parts may last forever, and you can tell they knew this cause so much stuff is rather inconvenient to get to compared to comparable automobiles.
 
See if the seller will let you look at the receipt for the work done. The only reason I know the head gasket to go with that little amount of miles is due to it overheating sometime beforehand. If they just resealed it, move on.

IMHO, the 3.4 4runner is easy to work on. If you want a challenge, try changing the fuel filter on a 2.7L engine. If you want the impossible, try changing spark plugs on a Ford Triton 5.4L engine. Any new Ford is a PITA to work on.
 
I wouldn't touch that 4Runner in the original post with a 25 foot pole. Antifreeze sealant screams "I'm going to be a nightmare in the near future, and this is why I'm for sale"......


I've bought five 3rd gen 4Runners in the past 2 years, and I would honestly rather buy a '96 or '97 with 200k than that 4runner. Just ask lots of questions and if you don't get the answers you want, move on. Good luck!
 
Oh yes- I'd be willing to bet he trashed the radiator along with the head gasket. And that supposed fix.. man don't fall for that. It's a half-ass quick fix and it also makes doing it the right way ten times harder.. If it were me I'd check out that 2000. original owner with all the work done at the dealer, run that vin # you can pull up everything that he's ever had done to it. Having all the records is a def. plus.. Roll up there with cash in hand and you could probably get that price down a little bit. It's a hike but its better then 11k or a bad head gasket
 
I would pass. Or discount the price by the cost to redo the top end ($2000). I would also pass if it is 2wd.
 
swedge said:
Yeah, I'm thinking of passing on this one. I'm getting antsy because I'm driving a borrowed car now and want to get something soon. I'm partial to the sport model. I went this past Saturday and looked at three. First one was a 2000 sport. Looked nice, but undercarriage was rough. Second was a 2002 sport which looked and drove nice, but they wouldn't budge on the 11,900 asking price. The third looked like someone used the front end for bb gun target practice. I can't believe they want 11 plus for a ten year old vehicle with 100k miles. It's either a crazy used car market now or testament to the resale of 4runners.

Here's another I might look at, but it's a hike:

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD Silver (Super Clean) SUV
Click to expand...

this one is worth checking out man. i have traveled to buy cars before.
 
Sodium silicate

Automotive repair
Sodium silicate can be used in older automobiles to seal leaks in the cooling system. A jar of "liquid glass" is poured into the radiator and allowed to circulate. Minute holes and gaps are sealed, often curing radiator leaks and faulty cylinder-head gaskets. This approach is often used by disreputable used-car salespersons.

sodium silicate radiator leak - Google Search


This is some bad stuff in my opinion.

I wouldn't even put it in the ex wifes car
 
JohnsD90 said:
Besides the Rust issues, i find it a ***** to work on the 4Runner, im not the biggest dude, but damn it is a ***** to work in this engine bay, i can't fit my hands anywhere, and so much of the stuff is in an asinine location. The parts may last forever, and you can tell they knew this cause so much stuff is rather inconvenient to get to compared to comparable automobiles.
Click to expand...


Generally on any Toyota product if you are struggling with a task, you didn't take enough apart. Might seem dumb to have to take more apart than you have to, but a lot of times its faster than struggling to do things.
 
LittleCaesar said:
IMHO, the 3.4 4runner is easy to work on. If you want a challenge, try changing the fuel filter on a 2.7L engine. If you want the impossible, try changing spark plugs on a Ford Triton 5.4L engine. Any new Ford is a PITA to work on.
Click to expand...

yeah better yet try working on one of those 5.4s in a van lol or the newer 6.4 and the new 6.7 powerstroke, you have to pull the cab to do just about anything
 
Here is my bet. Owner drove it until 108k or so on the original water pump. Pump finally failed and someone decided to drive it home overheating all the way. Local mechanic installed the new pump and noticed the head(s) leaking and gave the owner two options. Quick fix and sell or fix it for 2K. The seller picked the first option.
 
I would take the one with 81000 miles. Do not be afraid to offer them 9500 or 10000. Definitely tell them about the timing belt because I don't see a sticker.
 
I would be all over either one of the 2002 Sports. Of course the lower the miles the better but 120K miles wouldn't scare me off either. Just inspect them closely. Join the toyota owners site, put in the VIN #'s and scan the service histories. Hopefully service was entered. Good luck and report back man.
 
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