Hi Guys,

Sorry, I am only a user of the trucks and have no, nada, zip experience mechanically.

Husband and I really love the 4runners and heard the 1990 2D V6 4runner is a unicorn.

Engine has about 230k miles. Had the valve cover gaskets replaced due to oil seepage at top of engine. This past weekend, we were driving it. There was some intermittent rattling behind the driverside instrument gauge. On slight incline going up hill, started to smoke out of the right side. Unfortunately, we did not pull over right away. Started to smoke more, then we pulled over.

Had it towed to Toyota dealer. They said it's 'cylinder head gasket failure'.. they are looking into the cause. To replace the gasket is estimated $2300, if nothing further.

Please advise, we already have some $$ sunk into this vehicle. $2k in exhaust new catalytic converter (because it was stolen), $1.5k in valve cover gaskets, $500 in rocksliders. We don't want to give it up just yet, but don't want to continually sink money into it.

Any advice in what we should do next?

Should we just get a new engine? Just change the cylinder gaskets? Get rid of the vehicle.. there's no hope?

Thanks so much in advance for your advice,

Paula

 

i guess i'm in the wrong forum or something...

 

I guess what you decide is largely based on what $$ you want to lay out for the continued use of your 4Runner.

Any machine can be restored to good function, but at what cost??

At 230,000, a complete overhaul would be prudent, not just headgaskets.

You might well make some more miles rebuilding just the top end, but not what a complete rebuild would give.

Remember that the rest of the drivetrain is well used too.

Any skilled mechanics' Labor is expensive, doubly so when it is at dealers rates.

In my opinion, it really doesn't make much sense to drop large money on a 25 year old truck that already has near a quarter million miles on it.

If you could work on it yourself, my answer would be totally different.

I will soon complete the building of a fresh engine for my '87 Runner (already @ 285,000mi) at a cost of about $1200, parts and machine shop labor. I am using all genuine Japanese made parts and cutting no corners.

I expect that I will not be able to wear it out before they won't let me drive any more.

I have the time, the tools, and the experience to do this work, so the cash outlay is relatively small.

The personal satisfaction level, however, is very high.

Personally, I would never lay out the money for a new, or couple year old car, or truck; the depreciation and cheap plastic nature of most of them is more than I can stomach.

I prefer to own several different older machines that I repair and maintain myself.

Folks who can't, or won't, repair their own machines must pay, pay, pay, often for less than long lasting professional results.

Maybe you could get a different daily driver, buy some tools and start a personal journey into the world of machinery.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

 

thank you millball! i very much appreciate your time and input. definitely food for thought.

 

I cant believe that you spent $1500 on a valve cover gasket.... Its a $20 part at the most and take 15 mins to replace. Someone robbed you more so on that deal....

 

oh.. then maybe its something else with the 'top end'. pardon i am not familiar with the terminology.