Head gasket blown - Should I keep the 4Runner or fix it
#1
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Head gasket blown - Should I keep the 4Runner or fix it
I think the reason the truck had issues starting in humid weather is that the gasket was starting to go - is this a reasonable theory???
Opinion please.... my 1990 4 Runner has blown the gasket............ should i repair the gasket, replace the engine - or just sell it?
it has 245,000 km its been a good daily driver, but it has some electrical hick-ups etc , guess its part of the age. its also been lifted,
please let me know asap........
Opinion please.... my 1990 4 Runner has blown the gasket............ should i repair the gasket, replace the engine - or just sell it?
it has 245,000 km its been a good daily driver, but it has some electrical hick-ups etc , guess its part of the age. its also been lifted,
please let me know asap........
#3
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As soon as i saw the title of the thread knew what the answer would be. FIX IT!!!! Especially if it's a 22re, the head gasket is NOT hard. After having done it, i could probably do the whole job in about 2 or three hours. You'd miss your 4runner too much, fix it.
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#8
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22R-E is the 4 cylinder, the 3VZ-E is the 6 cylinder, the one you have. The v6 is a good motor, but tougher to work on. I'm getting the vibe that you're not a mechanical freak like some of the people on this site, is that right? Doing a head gasket on the v6 is fairly involved. Doable, but involved. I'd still fix it, but if you're not able to do the work yourself, it's not going to be particularly cheap.
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Inferno is right, the HG job on the 3.0 isn't bad, but if you're not into wrenching then it is quite an undertaking. Same would go for an engine swap, either 3.0 or 3.4.
Depending on how long you ran the engine after the HG blew there shouldn't really be any mechanical damage.
I'm guessing since you gave your odometer reading in KM that you're in Canada? Which would be a bit far for me to go to actually buy it from you. If I was to buy something like that out here I wouldn't wanna go much above scrap price $300-$400 but if it's otherwise a clean rig and you find someone who can do the work themselves you may be able to get more $ than that.
If I were you I'd find a buddy who can spin the wrenches and you buy the beer and get her fixed up. Or if you are gonna buy a new vehicle, then use the runner as your chance to learn. Search the site for step by step advice, go slow, and fix it yourself. Learn a lot and skin some knuckles along the way!
Depending on how long you ran the engine after the HG blew there shouldn't really be any mechanical damage.
I'm guessing since you gave your odometer reading in KM that you're in Canada? Which would be a bit far for me to go to actually buy it from you. If I was to buy something like that out here I wouldn't wanna go much above scrap price $300-$400 but if it's otherwise a clean rig and you find someone who can do the work themselves you may be able to get more $ than that.
If I were you I'd find a buddy who can spin the wrenches and you buy the beer and get her fixed up. Or if you are gonna buy a new vehicle, then use the runner as your chance to learn. Search the site for step by step advice, go slow, and fix it yourself. Learn a lot and skin some knuckles along the way!
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When the head gasket failed - it went big time..... water was pouring out the muffler.... so there are some concerns by the guys who know their wrenches....
concern that the water has messed up the rods the pistons and bearings to the point that the engine is toast. but.... i didnt drive it that long before "landing" the pup safely - and stopping IMMEDIATELY, made two stops and got it landed - total drive in this state was maybe 10min tops.
longest time was letting it cool down so i could add coolant and get to next stop.
cost for head gasket and replacing engine seem to be about par.....
concern that the water has messed up the rods the pistons and bearings to the point that the engine is toast. but.... i didnt drive it that long before "landing" the pup safely - and stopping IMMEDIATELY, made two stops and got it landed - total drive in this state was maybe 10min tops.
longest time was letting it cool down so i could add coolant and get to next stop.
cost for head gasket and replacing engine seem to be about par.....
#12
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i paid for the parts, supplied the tools and manual, they did labor for "free".... lesson learned.....
they kept truck for 3 months....
finally got it back
so done with this mess
they kept truck for 3 months....
finally got it back
so done with this mess
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sell it and buy a small 22re pickup. better gas mileage, lower to the ground for the old pup, and through a shell on the back with a dog bed and your set! haha the 3.0 v6 has to be watched carefully to those who have them and want them to last. iv'e rebuilt 2 of them and both were neglected and failed at 114k and 164k. 22re is more of a top it off and walk away truck haha....
#15
Please stop posting a for sale ad in the tech section
Read this
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f121...tplace-215358/
Than list here
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f108/
Read this
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f121...tplace-215358/
Than list here
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f108/
#16
What was the condition of the engine before the head blew? Head gaskets usually do not go anymore, however it seems that Toyota skimped in that area for some engines and years. I have a 1968 Mustang that had over 300K on it, the orginal head gasket was just fine when I pulled the heads for a rebuild and it had been used and abused. It is hard to do a compression test or leak-down test now that the head gasket is blown. You could do a myriad of things, depending on skill, condition of vehicle and time. If you want to keep the car, you could redo the head gasket, but while you have the head off, it seems like you could also redo the bearings and re-ring the thing while the head is off. You could do that with the engine in the vehicle still. The 22R series of engine is practically indestructible, so I would imagine that cylinder taper from ring wear would be minimal (depending on oil changes and driving habits). You could probably get away with a refreshed engine for around three hundred bucks, including new bearings, rings, gasket set. While the head is off you could install a heavy duty timing chaing, increase comression ratio by miling the head or installing high deck pistons and an RV cam. How comfortable to you feel with wrenching?
Good luck,
gt350mk
Good luck,
gt350mk
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I'm just done and want to get another vehicle. this one deserves a chance to go out and bog and rock crawl, but i dont have the interest or the skills.
#18
I understand. I had a jeep cherokee that I felt the same about. It was in so so condition when I got it from a friend. He didn't take good care of it, but jeep engines are also practically indestructible so it lasted till the water jacket in the head rotted and leaked water like crazy at the head gasket. I was sick of trying to remedy that where it probably needed to be hot tanked to get rid of all of the rot in the water jackets. Well good luck and try not to be to upset with toyota. They are really good cars and trucks. Maybe you will find something in good shape and it will renew your interest. Any ideas on your next car or truck?
#20
I can't remember all of the rules, but I would be interested in discussing the sale of your car, I.e. overall condition, how it ran before head gasket and options. I understand your situation. I tried to restore an old mustang and use it as a dd. I did it, but it was hard and cost a lot and took up lots of time. How shall we contact one another?
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