i have a 05 limited 4runner v6 with 171k on it recently the truck started very rough but ran fine on the road. I had a cracked exhaust weld and had chalked it up to that. After my mechanic fixed the exhaust it continued to start rough. I returned it to him and he said the coolant was a little low and he felt i had a leaking/blown head gasket.

This truck otherwise ran great until then. Never had an issue. I am second owner and have had since about 10k. It is a second car that i use for hunting and fishing and other outdoor activities.

I will be honest i am mechanically challenged. Beyond changing a flat I am clueless. I am looking for some feedback from this forum of knowledgeable owners on how to proceed. My guy said about 3000 to replace head gasket. he is not a regular import guy so he was straight forward about having to purchase some things just for that job. I have worked with him for 20 years and he has never steered me wrong.

Just curious of best plan of action here. I love my 4runner and would probably miss her more than i would my wife.

Thanks for your help -

N

 

3 grand for a head gasket repair is on the expensive side. Call your Toyota dealer and get a quote from there for comparison.

 

If he didnt do a compression test and leakdown test then he is just going by his gut.

Call around for pricing.

 

Thanks guys - I will follow up with him. He did say he found some oil in coil or vice versa I think thats what led him to that conclusion.

I am reaching out to local dealers to get additional pricing and second opinion.

What are the caveats of fixing this? Is there things I should ask to have checked if they do repair? I would love to get another 50- 75k out of this so I am willing to make an investment but If i do fix i want to be sure the motor is not wasted.

 

it was $2100 for my 3vz headgasket both times I've done it.

 

so 2 dealerships 2400 and 2600.

Seems a little better but both warned that they cannot tell how much damage could have been done to the engine from the coolant getting in there.

How big of an issue is this? I cant be postive on how long it was leaking but I may have done 350 - 500 miles after the rough started.

what is the risk in repairing here?

 

This seems to be quite an un-fixable issue with these trucks, as far as the mechanics in the DFW area are concerned. Everyone I've talked to thus far has recommended a straight engine swap instead of cracking open the motor.


I have an 05 SR5 with the exact same problem, and it's almost like pulling teeth to get anyone to give me an estimate in the McKinney/Plano area. If I end up spending $6,000 to get this fixed, it had better run until the cows come home.