Used engine or New heads

D

dml619

New member
I have a coolant leak into cyl 3 on a 295K 3VZ not sure if it neads gaskets or new heads yet. Talked to master tech and he said usually heads cracked. Engine runs great right now, just have some light smoke at warm up and and a rough start up when cold. Any input? Also I need shocks bad, Bilstein or anything better off the shelf. Also had notice my rig has no transfer case skid plate and OE parts list shows one.
 
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You'll need to take the heads off and send them to a machine shop to know for sure if their cracked. If their ok, it could be a fairly cheap ($400 to $500) fix. A used motor is a bit easier/faster repair if you get a good used motor, but its gonna be a bit more coin ($800 to $1,000). If you wheel your rig, find a used skid plate, you need one. If you don't go off road, don't worry about it. Sorry, no advice on the shocks.
 
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The crappy thing about a used engine is you don't know how it'll run. You could end up with more issues or it could be wonderful. Ya just never know. If yours has always ran good otherwise, I would just take the head off and have a machine shop resurface it regardless. If they find a crack, you'll need to replace the head. No cracks, then it's just a HG (but the heads needs to be checked/resurfaced either way). You may also want to have the block looked at to to make sure it doesn't need resurfacing too. I'd do the timing belt, water pump, idlers, and thermo while you're in there too.

The tech saying it's usually cracked heads as opposed to a head gasket leak is a guess. No way to be sure until you remove them. It could be either at 295K
 
I have a coolant leak into cyl 3 on a 295K 3VZ not sure if it neads gaskets or new heads yet.
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NUMBER 3 !!!! Same story for me at 199k.

I went with *new* heads by a company called JE. Brian2Sun went with a rebuild instead a few month back as well. Both are trucks are running fine at the moment.

I went with the new heads by JE because I was cautious of a rebuild. Each JE head is $650 at the rate my mechanic gets them. This does not include the Toyota gasket kits. My total cost was $1400 parts, $1250 in labor. I did BOTH sides out of caution, even though only one side was leaking the other was most likely on its way out.

Here is the link to my thread on this issue:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88502-head-gasket-fail-199-840-now-what.html


Also, you probably cannot get a new Toyota head - the cost is about $2600+ per side (in parts). A rebuild will use second hand + factory parts - this has worked out for many people so I am not knocking it.

I was advised to just go ahead and get a full aftermarket head - I am not sure if anyone else on the forum has done this. I also don't think many mechanics would recommend this due to lack of knowledge & experience with full aftermarket heads. I trusted the shop that sold me on it - they are a Toyota Truck specialty shop and rebuild Toyota engines for racing all the time.


I am pretty happy with the results. In the thread above a lot of people commented with their opinions. If you are in San Diego - let me know.


Good luck man!

:zoom:
 
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brianemc2_42 said:
NUMBER 3 !!!! Same story for me at 199k.

I went with *new* heads by a company called JE. Brian2Sun went with a rebuild instead a few month back as well. Both are trucks are running fine at the moment.

I went with the new heads by JE because I wanted to avoid used parts. Each head is $650 at the rate my mechanic gets them. This does not include the Toyota gasket kits. My total cost was $1400 parts, $1250 in labor.

Here is the link to my thread on this issue:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88502-head-gasket-fail-199-840-now-what.html

I am pretty happy with the results. In the thread above a lot of people commented with their opinions. If you are in San Diego - let me know.


Good luck man!

:zoom:
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I did a rebuild like brianemc2_42 said back in Feb. When they took my heads off and went to resurface them, they found a crack in both. I went with used heads because I couldn't afford anymore at the time. After about a month, it was running fine, but I was hearing a little valve chatter so I brought it back to them and they adjusted my valves again at no charge. Still running good now.

At least you only have a 4 banger OP, so one head will be a lot cheaper if you need it. If I were you, I think at 295K, I would just go for a full rebuild as opposed to just a head or HG job because after 300K it's really a crap shoot what might happen next. If you can get a used engine with a good warranty, I would consider that to, but most seem to be only 90 days.
 
brian2sun said:
At least you only have a 4 banger OP, so one head will be a lot cheaper if you need it. If I were you, I think at 295K, I would just go for a full rebuild as opposed to just a head or HG job because after 300K it's really a crap shoot what might happen next. If you can get a used engine with a good warranty, I would consider that to, but most seem to be only 90 days.
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I'm pretty sure he has a V6 3VZE 3.0 and is in the wrong section. Unless he meant to type 3RZ. Hopefully he can clear this up, so we don't end up giving him the wrong advice.
 
SCRunner12 said:
I'm pretty sure he has a V6 3VZE 3.0 and is in the wrong section. Unless he meant to type 3RZ. Hopefully he can clear this up, so we don't end up giving him the wrong advice.
Click to expand...

Good catch. I just read through it fast and thought he was talking about a 3RZ.

The advice is the same though for a 3.0 as far as fixing it. Except I would be considering a 3.4 swap if it was me. :)
 
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