1997 4Runner with head gasket leak. Fix or sell?
 

My 4Runner has 189,000 miles and has developed a head gasket leak, leaking coolant pretty badly when running. We've owned it since new but the cost of the repair has my wife saying it's time to sell. Also the heater core is bad so there isn't heat in the truck now either. I hate to sell it as it's been a great 3rd car for the last 12 years and it's in terrific shape inside and out. My question is should I put the money into a fix or sell it as is? What could I even get for it?

You won't find a better vehicle for the cost to fix what you have, I would swap in a good motor and a heater core, you won't get anything for it not running properly, maybe $2000 on a good day, fix it and you'll get $6000-8000 any day of the week, or keep it and don't buy a $40,000 equivalent replacement SUV.

That's a good argument if fixing it will more than double the value. I'll have to look into replacement motors and the cost of install. I just hate to put $4,000+ into repairs when the truck is worth less that that. Sucks the heater core has to come out through a 6-hour dash tear down.

Do you do your own work, or are you paying for repairs? Why are you jumping straight into replacing the motor? gaskets are replaceable as long as the heads are in good shape.
"Also the heater core is bad so there isn't heat in the truck now either." Is it leaking too? if you lost enough coolant from the head gasket leak you wouldn't get any heat either.
The price you would get for your 4runner depends on where you are, but it sure looks clean and well worth fixing either to keep or to sell for more than scrap metal value.

I'd be paying for repair. I haven't had an motor problems other than the gasket leaking. Heater core isn't leaking. My shop tests show hot going in, weak cold flow out, they've flushed a lot of debris out of the system. They think the core is corroded and blocked.

Did they try to back flush the heater core? I can't remember if the 97 has a hot/cold control valve for the heater core, but you should check, if it has one make sure it is moving when you switch the heater control from hot to cold.
Personally I would disconnect both hoses from the heater core and try flushing water through it both ways to see what you get for flow and to back flush any debris out of it before jumping into replacing it.

Thanks I'll give it a shot.

This worked! The heater core was really clogged, there was no water flow through the core at all. Tried back flush with same result. I changed to a narrower garden nozzle held it in the hose and built up the pressure until it was nearly full strength and finally the clog blew out. Ran the water through both in and out for about 10 minutes with it flowing perfectly. Connected the hoses, warmed up the truck and full hot heat. Spend less than 20 minutes on it total. Can't believe my shop didn't try the same thing.

Thanks so much for the help. Now I am definitely going to fix the head gasket.

glad you got the heat fixed, I'll bill you later!!!

Yay! Another one saved!

Your 4Runner is definitely worth saving and keeping. It is too clean to say goodbye yet.

Don't you feel better not having to tear the dash apart, or paying someone to do it!

Nearly just a good news is that the head gasket wasn't leaking it was the water pump all along. My shop got that one wrong as well. 4Runner is back to like new condition!

you need a new shop, I should have made you an offer on it, somebody could have gotten the deal of a lifetime!

I feel like I missed an opportunity for a new work rig. :jk:

I am glad you got the correct fix to the coolant issue!! :great:

Is your wife going to let you keep the 4Runner now? It is definitely worth keeping now!

:safari:

Hummmm....

It looks like you sold the 4Runner anyway..... :think:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ota-4runner-4/

:safari:

No wonder he sold it :shocked: