Ok Ladies and Gentleman, I love this forum, its always helped me out.. and after reading and reading and reading.. I finally decided that the best thing for me to do is have my heads rebuilt professional at a mechanic.

It all started when I began doing a tune up on my 4runner. I bought my 4runner in February and I paid $1600 dollars for it, its been a nice ride, take it everyday to go to the park with my dog, and pulled my boat once to San Dimas, it was a little slow, but was expecting that from what I read on here.

Anyways, back to the top end rebuild (head gaskets), after I went and replaced my spark plugs (ngk), spark plug wire set (ngk), cap and rotors.. I noticed there was no change in cylinder #2, when I went to remove the spark plug wires same thing - no change.. however, if I remove the "injector" from #2 it acts worse... it feels slow when I press the gas (putting everything back just removing the injector)

So compression check on #2 shows 20 psi....

I went to 3 mechanic shops, they all basically told me almost the same thing, valve job, burnt valve, or leaking valve...

So rebuild the top end with new head gaskets... for $975? what you think.... ?

 

rebuild it yourself or swap in something else, dont throw a grand at the top end just to spin a bearing down the road

 

Depending how old the bottom end is, id man up for a complete reman. Same old thing, put a fresh top end in, the bottom is sure to follow.....jmo

 

Ok, can someone tell me why when I removed the injector on #2 it makes such a big difference?

I know Im grasping for straws, but a complete rebuild is a lot of money...

 

I did a basic rebuild(kept pistons, crank) with an upgraded engnbldr head and cam for under 1k. Runs great so far but it hasn't been long at all.

 

$975 is a bit cheaper than anyone was willing to do it around here. I don't blame you for wanting someone else to do it. It's a huge pain in the ass and a huge timesuck. It doesn't make sense that pulling power to an injector makes it worse than pulling a plug wire

 

If you have a decent skillset and a couple spare hrs a day the rebuild is quite easy. One of the easier engines but only if you can afford the time I guess.

 

Thanks, yea I just saw a thread someone doing it here, then it took him so many days, he broke a lot of things, and finally he wanted to pay someone else to put it back together (lol)! sounds like me!

Im not a mechanic, and I can tackle it probably, but I remembered I have a local mechanic that rebuilt 3 of my motors before (2 for a chevy astro van 86, its still runs!) and a hyaundia elantra (transmission died)...

So, hes willing to cut me a break, normally charge $2200 for a complete rebuild, to only $1700 completely rebuild since I work on his computers....

So maybe I should just do the complete rebuild for $1700 out the door...

 

For 1700 you can get a crate motor straight from oregon. I was gonna go that route but decided I would give it a shot first. If that's in your budget I would suggest the crate motor. Either that or a motor swap