jonnydclark

Hi Guys,

The Question: Head gasket change? Total rebuild? Part Out?

Details:
I drive a '97 Runner and my tires are bald. I saw a '95 runner on Craigslist with new mud tires on it and picked it up yesterday for $1,000 (bad engine). With 254,000 miles on the '95 I figured I'd take the tires and part out the rest. But the more I look at it the better the truck looks and I really hate to part out a good truck. (scroll down for pictures)

It was a one owner and the guy selling it says it feels like a death in the family. They had seat covers on and the whole interior is impeccable for the age (normal dash cracks and a little seat wear on outer driver's seat). The only thing I can see wrong is inner CV boots are torn. All of the power options work except for mirrors (haven't checked fuses yet). Their son drove it from FL to NC for Christmas and supposedly nothing was out of the ordinary, no noises, overheating etc. He turned the truck off in the driveway and the next morning it wouldn't turn the engine over. They towed it to a shop and were told it needed a new engine.

I pulled all of the plugs and this is what I found.
Right bank:
Front cylinder: Compression 110 -dry
Middle cylinder: Compression 160 - a little antifreeze on the plug
Back cylinder: Compression 160 - a bunch of antifreeze sprayed out when I first cranked it with all of the plugs out.

Left bank:
Front cylinder: Compression 170 - dry
Middle cylinder: Compression 140 - a little antifreeze on the plug


I know the 3.0 isn't the best engine and 254,000 miles is a ton of miles. What would you do if you had this vehicle?

Thanks for your time / opinions.

Jon

merfal

I definitely wouldn't part it out. I tried to do that with a Camaro and it was such a huge pain in the ass and wrecked the car; I wish I would have known how it would turn out. It looks like a nice truck, if you don't want it take what you want and sell the truck, or fix it on the cheap, sell it and make some money.
I just bought a 95 with a bad engine too with the intention of it being my DD soon.

matt1992

Hell man, I'd say you gotta wicked deal even if it is in US currency. Us Canadian's only Hilux's in that good of condition here. Depends where you go the demand for them will change. I know if you want to pick up another 3.0L 3vze then you can pick one up for under $1000 candian. even though it has high mileage the body does not show it one bit. I would say i'd take it but I don't have the money right now for another project. So I would say keep it and take your time to see if its just a blown head gasket issue or you need another engine all together because you can make some money off that bro...

justin_4runner

yeah it looks too nice to part out, i would redo heads and sell.. make some money out of it,

merfal

Where are you on the coast of NC?

jonnydclark

Merfal,
I'm in New Bern... 100 miles north of Wilmington and 40 miles from the beach. Where are you? I'm hesitant to put much into the truck since I don't need a project (learned Friday that the my employer is pulling out of the US market). I'd be willing to sell it minus the tires or I might be patient and just let it wait until I find a wreck with a 3.4 but then it turns into a project.

Jon

merfal

I live in Elizabeth City and Jacksonville as I travel between the two frequently. I'd take it off your hands but I bought a 95 with a rod knock yesterday that I'm going to fix and DD. I'd be willing to help you out though if you need it.

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

I might buy this off you PM sent.