Well, I think I blew a head gasket last night. It's running very pooply and shooting oil all over the place.

Monte

 

Sure it isn't just the valve cover gasket? I thought HG last weekend til I took a second look. Where's the leak?

 

The engine is pinging like crazy and running on a couple cylinders less then 6. Toyota of Des Moines wants $1400 to fix it. I have it at a local shop checking it out. I just don't dare take on something that size by myself.

 

Sucks. How many miles? Or more accurately - had you had the recall repair done and how many miles did you get since?

 

Good news is that it's not a head gasket. It's the oil cooler. The shop says that's what blew up and is leaking all over. I priced the part around and they are all telling me about $530. Is this for real? Is it made of gold? I guess $600 is better than $1500 for the head gasket.

It has about 85,000 miles and doesn't have a recall on the gasket.

Monte

 

Well, it's not the oil cooler after all. They put the new one on and it's still leaking. Turns out there is a pencil sized hole in the block right behind the oil cooler. This is CRAZY! This is why I bought a Toyota! I don't know what I'm going to do now. Do I stick $3000 back into it? Do I sell it like it is?

I would appreciate some input since I'm so much at a loss.

Monte

 

What caused the hole in the block? It sounds like some disassembly is needed to find out what the problem was that caused the hole.

You could put a used engine in and the truck would be fine. It still is a good truck.

 

Sure enough, a hole in the block!

http://conservativerevolution.blogspot.com/

I bought a new motor with 65,000 miles on it for $1000. I am taking $3500 out of my IRA to pay for it and am thinking about doing the supercharger at the same time. I can also get a great deal on the tranny and transfer case. $500 for both. I think I will buy them too and stick them away for a rainy day. Those will just be a matter of time the way I abuse my truck.

Also, you guys have suggestions as to what else I should have done while I have this done? New torque converter? New seals? WHat would save time and money in the long run while I have the shop tear this thing apart?