I've got a 94 4Runner-V6, automatic, 230k miles 4wd- that I'm 99% sure the head gasket has blown on. My wife's water broke and since I had the car seats for the other two kids in it we hopped in and drove to the hospital. About two miles before the exit for the hospital it started smoking like crazy under the hood but we only had 3 miles to go and she was in labor so we went for it.

I dropped her at the ER entrance and pulled in to a parking spot. I had a friend meet me later to grab my wife's car to drive home in and I had the 4Runner towed home just in case. I love AAA... Anyhow, when I looked most of the antifreeze is gone and it looks like some oil has made its way in to the antifreeze.

I've been borrowing a friend's extra car to get to and from work but it will be a while before I can afford the $1200 I was quoted to get the head gasket replaced.

Is there anything I can do to nurse it along for a while before I can afford to get it fixed? I'd honestly be happy to sell it for at least $6-700 so I can just get a beater to last me a year or so but I have no idea how to try and sell a vehicle with a busted head gasket.

 

Deffinitally a head gasket. I would get a compression test done on the cylinders before even attempting to put a new head gasket. Chances are the compression will be too low to make it work it. I mean... you could do it but you may not get even 20k out of it before it happens again. You either need a complete rebuild, or a new motor. My 91 Runner did the same thing at 234k. I ended up buying a high performance motor from CHS machine in Portland, OR. You can look them up on ebay.

Sorry about your truck. There really isn't anything you can do without destroying what's left of the engine.

 

Thanks. I pretty much figured it was shot but was hoping that maybe I could make it last a bit longer. Guess I'll have to either try to part it out or sell it for scrap...

 

So was it a boy or a girl?

 

Boy. Connor Andrew. Weighed in at 7lbs 8oz, He was just a little feller. Our oldest, daughter, was 7lb 12oz and the middle boy was 9lb 14oz.

 

Well congratulations on your newest addition. Hope Mom and you are doing well.

 

Thanks. We're losing our sanity but I think mine was well on its way out before he came along.
Right now the fun part is making three car seats fit in the back seat of a chevy crapolier... The 4Runner may not have had much larger of a backseat but at least I could fit all their paraphernalia in it.