Need reliable/reputable toyota mechanic, blown head gasket

[byrddog]

The estimates are coming in really high for my blown head gasket...
they say while in there, cause of going in deep, some other work should be done as well... I lack knowledge with cars.
Eg:
timing belt, last done at 119. current mileage is 180.
coolant system redone... looks like crap they said, very muddy water.

independent shop quoting about 3k
just called a toyota one, and they said about 4k, for head gasket repair alone

That's a crushing amount of money. Looking to save with a reputable, reliable independent toyota mechanic who can do things like save money on parts, as well as the labor (getting quoted around $100 / hour). I am okay with spending some money, in hopes of getting another couple years at least out of the car.

Anyone know anyone in the area? Or a great link or website to find them?

Thanks
Brad

 

[98Base4R]

What area?

A search of Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market lists used engines from $800 to $4000. Unless the warranty is long and comprehensive, $3k seems like a lot to spend. Even at $100/hr, you should be able to get it fixed for $2k or so, with a new timing belt, fresh fluids, etc. Remember you will be doing a lot of maintenance now that will save you down the road.

My favorite solution would be to buy a wrecked truck complete, and take what you want. While you're at it, you can part out the donor and recoup the purchase price. Check CL for an engine or wrecked truck and be patient to save $$$.

 

[athlon450]

No one's head gasket ever blows around here. Timing belts replacements for $700-900 and head gasket replacement for $2-3K. Man, I could get rich @ those prices!

 

[4R99JB]

No one's head gasket ever blows around here. Timing belts replacements for $700-900 and head gasket replacement for $2-3K. Man, I could get rich @ those prices!

No s**t; I only paid 4k for the whole car! Not wrecked! What are they using for gasket material, gold?

 

[JasetheDamager]

Hey Brad, sorry about your engine. That sucks. But for anyone to help you out, they need to know where you're located, and I didn't see that in your original post unless I'm completely missing something (which is entirely possible). There are some very knowledgeable guys on here, and if they live close by, they might be willing to help you out, especially if you're willing to pay in beer. Include your area in your next post and I'll bet you'll get responses. I don't know other forums as well, as this is the only one I use, but I've read some threads over at Yotatech. Good luck man!

 

[athlon450]

I gave 1k for mine and rebuild the entire engine for less than a grand! No, I didn't skimp just did all the work myself(heads cleaned and checked @ machine shop).

 

[scottyb]

It's just a lot of labor and they need to make money. You're paying the shop for the labor, the parts(which they make some money on), the knowledge to do the job correctly, overhead, etc. They're not trying to rip you off, it just costs is all.

I did my HG for ~600 the first time. I used a cheaper reseal kit, minimal head work, and of course all the labor myself. The HG failed again after about 7 months.

The second time I spend a little over 1K for a quality reseal kit, good condition used heads, and a full head job. And I did all the work myself again. My motor is running great now.

The thing is, once you go through you engine and replace the head gaskets, seals, o-rings, vacuum hoses, pulleys, water pump, belts, etc you have a motor that is in really good shape. You also know the condition and history of your motor at that point. I think there is value in knowing those things.

The thing that stopped me from getting another motor and dropping it in, is that when you get a motor from a junk yard you don't know much about the history or state of the used motor. That used motor could blow it's head gasket in 10k or 20k miles. Who knows?

Just some food for thought

 

[scottyb]

I gave 1k for mine and rebuild the entire engine for less than a grand! No, I didn't skimp just did all the work myself(heads cleaned and checked @ machine shop).

Did you get new internals and have your small block machined?

For me:
The Felpro reseal kit: 400
Machine shop clean and check: 40
Machine shop head job: 250
Used heads: 350
Misc hoses, belts, trips the the store, etc: 50

Total: ~$1090

The thing about the cylinder heads, is a brand new head has a head height (valve cover face to small block face) of 4.808 and the minimum head height on our cylinder heads is 4.805. That means you can only mill you block once (and lightly at that) before your cylinder heads are out of spec. According to the machinist, this will cause your engine temps to run higher and a few other things if you go below 4.805. It has to do with the tighter tolerances used for ODB2.

 

[athlon450]

Complete rebuild:

Complete rebuild kit(rings, pistons, bearings, and full gasket set/w MLS HG) $350
Block Cleaning(chicken wire, purple power, and washing soda)$30
Inspection and cylinder honing - $0
Timing Kit (Belt, Aisin Water Pump, and gaskets) $150
Heads(cleaned, pressure tested and resurfaced) $150
Valve job(valve lapping tool, grinding compound, and cleaners) $25
Sealers (Hylomar blue, Right Stuff FPIG, etc) $40
Rod bolts/nuts and knock sensor wiring harness $80
Bottle brush and cylinder hones $50
Misc. odds and ends $100
Labor $0
Total: > $1k

Teaching my son a how to properly rebuild an engine with his own two hands.
PRICELESS! :cheers:

 

[athlon450]

Did you get new internals and have your small block machined?

For me:
The Felpro reseal kit: 400
Machine shop clean and check: 40
Machine shop head job: 250
Used heads: 350
Misc hoses, belts, trips the the store, etc: 50

Total: ~$1090

The thing about the cylinder heads, is a brand new head has a head height (valve cover face to small block face) of 4.808 and the minimum head height on our cylinder heads is 4.805. That means you can only mill you block once (and lightly at that) before your cylinder heads are out of spec. According to the machinist, this will cause your engine temps to run higher and a few other things if you go below 4.805. It has to do with the tighter tolerances used for ODB2.

Yeah, the more you mill the block, head or combination of both. The more you increase the compression ratio and quench. In a perfect scenario, this is better for HP and fuel economy, cooler operating temps and such, but usually involves degreeing the cams and balancing and blue printing the engine. You can mill the head a little bit beyond spec and use a thicker HG to bring it back to spec. I just eyeball it when it comes to these thing!

 

[athlon450]

Sorry, didn't mean to jack your thread! :hello:

 

[byrddog]

Hey Brad, sorry about your engine. That sucks. But for anyone to help you out, they need to know where you're located, and I didn't see that in your original post unless I'm completely missing something (which is entirely possible). There are some very knowledgeable guys on here, and if they live close by, they might be willing to help you out, especially if you're willing to pay in beer. Include your area in your next post and I'll bet you'll get responses. I don't know other forums as well, as this is the only one I use, but I've read some threads over at Yotatech. Good luck man!

I live in La Mesa CA.
Here is what is odd... been calling a few other toyota dealers, and they are quoting about the same. Boo.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I live in La Mesa CA.
Here is what is odd... been calling a few other toyota dealers, and they are quoting about the same. Boo.

Did you call "The truck Shop" in San Diego, CA?

They are Toyota specialists. One of the only independent all Toyota shops in San diego area.

James is the owner. He is there everyday.

Google "the truck shop san diego"

Why: they are very trusted, only uses Toyota parts (normally), charges $85/hr.

They fixed my head gasket.

.

 

[4RUNNERgeo]

Call Ricky at R&F auto Repairs in Vista, Ca. He just installed a rebuilt engine in my 4Runner at a great price. 760-419-1139.

 

[javendan]

i've been going to see jeff at service pros in san marcos ever since protrux went bye bye.

Service Pros
760.744.0025

joel