chugs

My friend has a 93 4runner v6 auto, 180,000 miles. The head gasket just blew out. He doesn't want to spend a lot of money to get it back running as long as it is just running. Weighing the options to see what will be the most affordable solution.

Option #1 Do head gasket job.

Option #2 Might as well rebuild the engine

Option #3 Replace old 3vze engine with used low mile engine

Which option would be the most affordable? Estimates would be helpful as well? Thanks!

noodledude

a good engine rebuild that will last any length of time will be at least 2000, probably closer to 3000. a head gasket job will likely be over 1000 depending on the shop. (i wouldnt trust a rebuild for under 2000)

b.miller123

the "most affordable" $$$-wise, right now, is going to be a head gasket, and that is regardless of whether or not you (him) do it or if a shop does it,

There might be some minute chance that you'll be able to find a "used low mile engine" and have it installed for cheaper than a head gasket job, but I wouldn't hold my breath, and even if you do find one, you are still rolling the dice on whether or not it actually has low miles, and is actually in good condition,

Is there anyhting wrong other than the headgasket?

If not, then just do that and be done with it, those engines can easily run up to 250k without a rebuild, this will get him back on the road as quickly (and cheaply) as possible, which is what it sounds like your friend is looking for,


The best place to get a "baseline" for the cost of doing a head gasket would be a dealership, just call the service dept and ask for a quote, if that seems too high start calling around to other places that can do the repair, just be wary of any quotes that are incredibly cheap (or expensive, but that's a no-brainer), you tend to get what you pay for, and you probably don't want to be coming back here to ask advice for what to do after a $200 headgasket job comes back to bite you a few weeks later

or just do it yourself with the help of yotatech!

chugs

there are no other problems to the engine besides the head gasket, it ran fine before the gasket went out...called a few shops and so far for just the head gasket repair, it's about $1500...

b.miller123

that sounds about right, I don't think you'll find any place that will do it for much less than $1000, and if you do, like stated before, you might not want to get the work done there,

Tell your friend to just get the head gasket done and keep driving it, but tell him to start saving cash so next time he needs to do repairs (which will happen eventually, Toyotas are very reliable, not indestructable, as some would like to think) he will be able to afford them, or at least he'll have a head start on any of the costs involved

SEAIRESCUE

Having overhauled a few and head-gasketed a few others, the job is a bitch. But, if you follow the procedures others have posted on this site, you can do it with with a mechanically inclined friend. So, a garage would likely charge you 3-4 days of labor plus the cost of overhauling the heads which I highly recommend. . Breaks down to 4-8 hours to remove the heads. 4-8 hours to prepare rebuild. 8 hours to install heads, button things up, double check your work, start engine, tune engine and test drive.

Hope this $0.02 helps

b.miller123

oh, and on a side note, I love repairs that cost just over $1000-$1500, that is the "butter zone"

that's like a magical number or something, because people tend to not spend that much money on fixing a truck that is only worth $2000-$6000, and then they throw it up for sale for $500-$2000, and that makes it incredibly easy for the "do it yourself"-ers to get into a nice toyota! (or makes some $$$, if they are so inclined)

Djlarroc

Too far from you, but check it out: Craigs list. A nice 22RE.

chugs

Well, looks like we will be doing the head gasket job ourselves. On a side note, what may have caused the engine to overheat, resulting in blown gasket. bad Waterpump?

CyMoN

what about the recall you may want to call the dealer and have them run your vin you might still be covered on the recall.

chugs

where can i find the official notice of this head gasket recall?

chugs

completed head gasket repair...

first atempt, leaking water from head gasket, improper torque, disassembled and retorqued to initial torque, 90 degree, and 90 degree, done.

second atempt at starting..no more leaks, timing off, readjust distributor, fired up...lots of fumes from exhaust...pressure checked...refilled coolant...complete.....it was a pain in the a$$!

b.miller123

Hey, good job man, how long did it take you guys?

toytech76

If you lived near me I would do it for you. I love doing those things. Takes me about 1.5-2 hours to get heads off and stripped down. Once the machine shop is done then its about 4-5 hours to set the heads up and reinstall. Honestly if you have the heads off you will be time and money ahead doing a valve grind. 3.0's burn exhaust valves like crazy. Best thing to do is take it apart and send the heads out for a v/g with NEW toyota exhaust valves and grinding the intakes and surfacing the heads. When I do them I usually charge $1000 labor and have the person buy the parts. At my shop for a full v/g we usually charge about $2500.

chugs

it took us about 4 days to get it back running again. So hopefully it won't have anymore problems

chugs

$1500 was what we got from a shop to fix it so we did it ourselves.

b.miller123

that's good esp since it's a daily driver, I've seen guys milk stuff out for months