1999 3.4L Limited 4Runner 186,000 Miles
So, yesterday I noticed my engine temperature gauge was going up and down quite a bit which is completely abnormal for my truck. I popped the hood and immediately noticed a small series of cracks right on the top of the plastic piece of the radiator. So, I pull the radiator and after I have it out and examine the drained coolant it looks like a noticeable amount of oil floating on the top of the coolant.
My immediate thought is that the head gasket is blown. I could understand some contaminants getting into the coolant from the vaccuum when the car cools but it looks like too much to me to blame the presence of oil on that.
So, I am looking for some advice from techs or other 3rd Gen owners who have been through this. I called around and was quoted 2,000 for the head gasket replacement but the mechanic, who I trust, advised against it due to the high mileage of the truck saying that it may just be polonging the whole engine going bad. I was also quoted 7,800 for the whole engine being rebuilt.
I am open to doing the head gaskets myself, I am also open to buying a rebuild motor and putting it in myself or some hybrid option. My level of mechanical experience is medium. I have done head gaskets before on a Merc Sable, I always change my own fluids, starters, compressors, tune ups, fuel injectors, drive shafts, just not much actual engine block work.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance...
So, yesterday I noticed my engine temperature gauge was going up and down quite a bit which is completely abnormal for my truck. I popped the hood and immediately noticed a small series of cracks right on the top of the plastic piece of the radiator. So, I pull the radiator and after I have it out and examine the drained coolant it looks like a noticeable amount of oil floating on the top of the coolant.
My immediate thought is that the head gasket is blown. I could understand some contaminants getting into the coolant from the vaccuum when the car cools but it looks like too much to me to blame the presence of oil on that.
So, I am looking for some advice from techs or other 3rd Gen owners who have been through this. I called around and was quoted 2,000 for the head gasket replacement but the mechanic, who I trust, advised against it due to the high mileage of the truck saying that it may just be polonging the whole engine going bad. I was also quoted 7,800 for the whole engine being rebuilt.
I am open to doing the head gaskets myself, I am also open to buying a rebuild motor and putting it in myself or some hybrid option. My level of mechanical experience is medium. I have done head gaskets before on a Merc Sable, I always change my own fluids, starters, compressors, tune ups, fuel injectors, drive shafts, just not much actual engine block work.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance...
