Hi guys. I found a local 1993 Toyota 4-Runner in EC for $2200, but the head gasket is blown. Seller says it was confirmed by mechanics. Now I know about the recall and the HG issues, but I am not totally up to par... so I am wondering, is a Toyota dealer obligated to replace the head gasket if its original, despite the age of it? The seller said it had not been replaced before, so obviously the owner never took it in for the recall. I have the VIN # to be sure. Can I phone a Toyota dealer to see if its been changed before and if they are to replace it? If so, it may be worth the $2200, but if not, no way.

Thanks!

 

Yep, give them a call to see if the HG recall has be done on it or not!
They should be able to tell you in just a minute or two if it has been or not...

 

I believe a dealer is obligated to replace the HG if it is original regardless of age (assuming the VIN is one of the recalled group). You could get the VIN and call your local dealer to check before you commit to buy. Also, that price seems kind of high IMO for a non-drivable vehicle.

 

This is the second time today that I've read that. There was an pickup here with a 22RE, over 170k mi. blown head gasket for $2995. I would have offered $1500 for it as-is. Kelly Blue Book on the truck in excellent condition is $4000.

Where I live, old yotas aren't that abundant. Maybe it's different in other regions.

The biggest problem with pricing a vehicle with a blown head gasket is the difficulty in knowing whether that will be the only problem to tackle.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. My main concern would be if my Toyota dealer would be honest enough to tell me the truth. Knowing my luck, they would say it had been changed, when it had not been... OR if I bought it, then something happened they would not repair it free. When they do this, dont the owner have to buy some other things that may be needed, or does the dealer fit the entire bill? We have three Toyota dealers here in the metro, so I could call each of them.

About too much - it may be and if the dealer would not replace the HG, there is no way I would pay that.

Oh, there was a guy here with a 1994 Toyota SR5 4wd listed for sale on a local site. It said it was in EC, but had a bad headgasket... can you believe he was still asking $5900 for it!!!! A week later, the ad read "SOLD"! I could not believe it.

 

3rd gen trucks and 2nd gen 4runners go for up to $10,000 in my parts!

 

YOu can go to the dealer with the VIN and they can tell you immediately if the recall was done. After all these years, dealers aren't OBLIGATED to do the recall, but many of them WILL...check with your dealer.

 

There should be a V06 sticker on the edge of the driver side door if the recall was performed. Also the work doesn't cost the dealer anything, he get compensated from Toyota Corp.