Ok guys, i just bought my first yota. its a 1990 std pickup with the 31" option. It is an awesome truck and in fairly good shape. unfortunately i bought it with some engine issues because it was a good deal.

I know you all HATE the 3.slow, but at the moment i do not have the time or the cash to swap. I am confident we'll do that eventually, but for now i think we are going to try to stick with the 3.0.

Did a compression test this evening and found the following
1 - 190 psi
2 - 190 psi
3 - 140 psi
4 - 0 psi
5 - 190 psi
6 - 30 psi

So i tried the oil test to see if the rings were the issue, and the oil made no difference in compression. The truck is not over heating at all, it is just dead slow. When i took the plugs out on the driver's side (cyl 4 and 6) they were both covered in oil. 1, 3 and 5 looked like they had been getting real hot.

I'm planning on doing the engnbldr rebuild kit for the bottom end, and hoping that the head gasket has failed rather than the whole valve train for those two cyl. any advice (other than to swap) is welcome and appreciated.

My question is this... Can you guys recommend a machine shop to refinish the head for me. i realize i may end up having to replace the valves, but anyone you guys trust at a decent price in seattle/ kent or bellingham area?

on a side note, i'm very glad that i found this site and i'm sure i'll be around offering up my experience with other cars and anything else i can for a long time to come.

 

where did you do the compression test, did you do it yourself?
any chance you'd be interested in doing one in seattle?

 

I always take my machine work to Action Machine in shoreline Wa. just google it. I have never had problems with them, its a multi-million $ shop and very nice people and alot of expierience. Good luck with the 3vz i like them and theyll run good for a long time if maintained properly.

 

Where in WA are you located?

 

I see you are not far from me.
Hit up Doxon Toyota in Auburn and see if they want to tackle it, or if they can recommend a good shop in Auburn that they have worked with.

 

funny, i was just down at Doxon yesterday grabbin the starter contacts as well. THanks for the recommendation in shoreline, i have a few buddies up there as well so that will make the trip a little more enjoyable. Do you have any ballpark figure for what it costs for the two heads?

I am actually up on the west hill of Auburn (we just got incorporated), but its probably closer to being called federal way... right up by the cemetery.

Taiko, As far as the compression test, yes i did it myself, but unfortunately i'm just borrowing the kit from a friend so i have to get it back to him before i'd be able to test your truck. i may end up buyin a kit to test my other two cars just for fun and if i do i'll let you know

 

alright i just called the guys at action machine and they quoted me at an estimated 275-325 per head with cleaning and re-using old parts. Doxon Toyota recommended Auburn Auto Machine and they quoted me at around 600 for the re-working of both heads with new exhaust valves.

I've heard a lot of people saying that they have gotten the head work done for around 150...? what are they including in that price and where haha?

 

i payed 250 for both my heads... i bought the valves separate.