Hey, I've been Googling the head gasket recall for an hour and a half, and have learned a lot about it. So basically, if I take my VIN number to the dealership, and they determine that the head gasket recall has not been done to it, they will fix any damage that the truck has incurred due to this?

I ask because my head gasket just blew yesterday morning, and Toyota is trying to get me to fork out $1500 for a rebuilt 3vze engine, and another $1400 for labor. I knew there had to be a way around this.

Hopefully, I'll get what I need fixed at Toyota....and if they don't comply then I should contact the head regional office? Please let me know ASAP, because I'm going to do this first thing after classes (about 2pm). Thanks for the help!

 

careful!
rebuilt changes the whole game. I can tell you that the recall, well its kinda at this point a hit or miss. its been out for well over 15 years at this point and im not sure what its official status is, anyone know? Chime in?

Is it the same, original engine? Rebuilt would be, just making sure you didnt mean replaced. I would not mention it was rebuilt to them. While you and I or the guy that did the work could have done AN EXCELLENT job, they do, from a legal standpoint have a claim to say the blow was the result of a bad job. So keep that nugget to yourself.

 

Totally up to the stealership as to what they will do past the head gaskets that's really all they have to do. Each stealership can do as little or as much as they choose and submit it to Toyota for renburstment and most of them know what they will and will not reimburse the stealship for.

That's the way it was explained to me by my friend who is a master Toyota tech. service manager has the final say as to what gets done. A 12 pack on the seat may get you a little more from the techs as well.

 

Well I just talked to Toyota customer service, and apparently the head gasket recall was performed in 1998. So I am not eligible for the recall....so I'm back to step #1. I'm thinking about renting a U-Haul and a tow dolly, and towing it back to Snellville with that. I'd rather it sit at my house and not move than be at the dealership... I'm sure they're finding all sorts of nice little charges to pin on me for having it there for the past two days...

 

Too bad. Did I read you correctly in the other thread, when you said the dealership would install a new 3.0 for $3,000? That sounds too cheap.

 

Yeah that is correct. I'm probably just going to get a car though, because this will have to reallllly last me a long time. And I know if I get another truck I will just end up beating it up offroad again. I think we're going to get the truck towed to my house so I can work on the head gasket when I have some time off from school.

 

Get a 1st gen MR-2, they are cheap, 35mpg, and they are way fun to drive!

 

Agreed! They're a blast!