Ok, so I spent a month reading up on why not to buy a 3.0 V6, then found an '89 Runner with a 'rebuilt' engine and a 'rebuilt' transmission, both with less thank 2K miles for a decent price - $3,500 - and decided to pull the trigger and take my chances on the 3.0. I've had it for about 8 months, put about another $1,500 into it by cleaning up the electrical work. It was missing a little bit, so had my guy check it out (I'm not a gear head and don't have a garage of my own to try to learn in). Well, of course, its a blown head gasket. Ha! So now I have to figure out what to do and I'd really like some advice.

The way I see it I have 3 options: 1) fix the 3.0; 2) swap out the 3.0 for something else - a 3.4 or a diesel (?); or 3) cut my losses and sell it - either for parts or whatever.

Option 1 is estimated to be about $2K and I am worried the 3.0 will just sting me again down the road. Option 2 looks interesting but I am afraid of the cost. Option 3 seems rational, and maybe then I can look for a 22R version.

Its got some nice Sequoia wheels/tires on it with only about 2K miles on them, pretty new. The transmission was rebuilt by a shop about 10K miles ago by the previous owner. The 3.0 was rebuilt by a different shop also about 10K miles ago. Besides those rebuilds, the previous owner also dropped another $4K on replacing various other parts and repairing the AC (I have his receipts). In other words, some money has already been spent on this truck - which means its either worth saving, worth parting out, or is just a money pit.

I'd really appreciate some advice so I can make a more informed decision. Mostly I'd really like to know what the first two options will cost me, and what I could hope to get if I cut my losses and sell the truck to look for another.

Thanks very much in advance. I've attached a couple of photos in case they help.

 

And how do you know it has a blow head gasket again?

 

o boy i sure hope thats not a 3.slow and auto combo ?

 

^It is you can look at the trans pic and tell its an auto.

 

Hey Guys, it is the 3.0 and automatic combo.

As for why I believe its a HG issue- I spent some time with my mechanic looking for the problem causing the miss. Isolated #6 and were thinking it was an injector issue (as the plug was getting electricity ok), but upon pulling #6's plug a second time after noticing increased moisture in exhaust - water, steam, etc came flying out. Mechanic's diagnosis is the HG.

 

If you ask me thats not a very "good" diagnosis..... Did he check the oil? Is it milky? Compression test? Pressurize cylinder and open rad cap and look for bubbles? <now those are real diagnosis of a head gasket or cracked(head or block). Does it run hot? Is the plug fouled with coolant? Go somewhere else and get it diagnosed.

 

is it eating coolant? you realize if you pull the plug wire.. the injector is firing gas into the cylinder.

 

Two thoughts:

1. This question has been debated in an enless number of threads, search until you can't keep your eyes open and then decide.

2. I agree with the other posters, your diagnosis is flawed, do some more searching and you'll find all you need to know on diagnosing your problem.