So I went to sell my '92 22re pickup after picking up a '86 4R. The truck runs really strong, never hesitates and has tons of power, tracks perfectly straight at 80mph and handles really well, but a potential buyer took it to his mechanic and came back with a LONG list of needed repairs. The guy isn't interested in buying it anymore, so it's not like he's trying to take me for a ride. I'm trying to figure out if it's possible for this much to be wrong with it, and if so, what the hell should I do about selling it.

List is as follows (I re-ordered it a bit):
Compression check 1-140, 2-130, 3-150, 4-110 (psi)
Timing cover oil leak
Oil pan gasket leak AND rear main seal leak
Housing at rear of head leaks
Valve noise (cam, lifters, or guides)
Drive belts need replaced
Freeze plugs seepage
Front bearings loose (adjust and repack)
Rear brake drums frozen onto axles
Shocks all around
Needs complete tune-up

There's some other stuff I knew about (battery and muffler) but I just hd a clutch done 5000 miles ago and the oil done 2 weeks ago by a mechanic I trust, and they didn't spot any of this stuff. I'm especially surprised about all the leaks, though I did notice I was losing oil.

They also told him the engine only has another 15-18k mi in it before he needs a rebuild or replace, and they quoted him $4000-4500 (!!!) to put in a rebuilt engine. For a 22re that is running strong (or at least feels like it) at 185k mi, that seems a bit aggressive to me.

Does that make sense? If so, what would you do? I don't want to get hosed on the deal, but I'm on honest salesperson. Just disclose the above and sell as-is? Fix some of the basics and then sell?

 

Couple of things, you know the history of the rig better than the mechanic...and if the guy buys it the mechanic figures he gets some business out of it.

We had a family friend take out 92 chev pickup to a mechanic...he didnt buy it because the mechanic said it had a "used undercarage"...well duh..it was a 4x4rig used for hunting with 185K on it...be we owned it since new and it runs strong as every....

You have a used rig, and are selling a used rig....they have small issues, anyone who doesnt think so is fooling themselves....

 

It is 14 years old. It is used.It is going to have some issues. Everyone expects this, although it sounds scarrier when a mechanic tells you what you already expected. If I was you, I would give it a tune-up, pack the bearings, (if really needed) and use some gasket sealer on your leaks. So what if that guy does not want it anymore. View this as a free diagnostic inspection. You can then call the guy back and tell him you fixed 1/2 the problems, or just advertise it again, all the more competant. BTW, with that price quote for a rebuilt, I would not trust the mechanic. I had a brand new 3.0 installed in my truck several years ago for $4100 on Toyota's bill.

 

I would do the tune up, belts, muffler and anything else that is easy for you to do or is just general maintenance or needed to pass your states inspection criteria. The mechanic just put down every little thing he could find. Unless you're asking top dollar for the truck, I wouldn't worry about the other stuff. I also wouldn't tell other prospective buyers about the laundry list, just the obvious stuff. Your best bet is to find a buyer that is going to do their own work. They already know what to expect out of a vehicle with that kind of mileage especially if they are previous Toyota owners.

I like the rear drums frozen to the axle bullet. That is plain stupid. Mechanics run into that all the time. I've had to break those loose on about half of the vehicles I've owned. He just didn't want to risk damaging the drum to do an inspection of the rear brakes.

The motor rebuild estimate is awfully high too. A rebuilt long block with a warranty, at least where I live, can be purchased for about $1600 including delivery. Labor for a qualified mechanic should not be more than another $1600 in my opinion and even that would be padding the bill a bit. According to my math, the mechanic would need almost 42 hours of labor at $70/hr to justify a $4500 price tag. There seems to be an awful lot of padding in his pricing.

 

All good advice but to answer your question, I don't think it's weird that it drives strong but requires some work. The truck does have almost 200k miles but more importantly, it's a Toyota.

If it were a different car company and the truck had this many issues, it wouldn't even be running. My two cents...

 

Don't sweat it, someone who knows toyota will buy it

 

That guy was trying to bust your chops and get you to lower your price or give it away. Simple as that.

I know for a fact that a warrantied, complete rebuild of a 22RE at the dealer won't cost $4K...that is totally absurd.

Sell it as is and don't sweat it, someone will buy it.

22REs are excellent engines and after a complete rebuild mine w/ 175K miles on it runs like brand new.

Good luck.

 

I agree with shiftless. You're talking about a Toyota pickup with a 22re, even if it 'needs' some things done to it there will always be a market for it. Just park it in your lawn with a sign on it and you will get good offers im sure.

 

Sounds good, thanks for the help fellas.

I knew the rebuild estimate was outrageous... I guess the rest of the stuff sounds worse than it is. Will probably do the easy stuff (belts, front pads, not the exhaust though) and just let someone know that at 185k it's going to be due for it's first rebuild eventually.

FYI - I was asking a firm $3500 which seemed pretty good in the bay area for a 4x4 with a fresh clutch (and the tranny is still unbelievably tight and smooth) and 85% tires... I guess now I'm more in the $3000 even range.

 

Will that actually work from the outside? Without opening up the mating surfaces?

 

As one who has an 85 and an 87 w/ 22RE engines...that rebuild quote is ludicrous.

Anyone looking at your 4Runner should know it is going to need work...if they don't, then they shouldn't be out buying a 20 year old vehicle. Let the buyer beware. If you are selling it, sell it as is and don't sink anymore of your money into it...you won't get it back.

 

It may not be the best way of fixing leaks, but if you thoroughly clean/degrease and dry wherever it is leaking, apply the gasket sealer and let it dry fully, (depending on how thick you apply it, at least a day) gasket sealer should seal up your leaks just fine. Use your finger to squish it into cracks. I have done this many times, and saved $$$ on costly gasket replacements. Gaskets are usually cheap, but the labor is where you get stuck in the gut.
BTW: Without being dishonest at all, I would not tell prospective buyers that it might need a rebuild soon, unless it is really obvious (awful sounding). That is a possability with any used vehicle, and you are just going to scare them off. How did you feel before you talked to the mechanic? You said it runs strong. Plus if you treat your motor right, you should be able to get a lot more than 185k out of it. Toyotas are known for reliability and length of life.

 

Sounds like this assclown is looking for a brand new vehicle for $3500, or however much you're selling it for. I wouldn't worry about it, he is obviously used to buying a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge product. Stick by your guns and wait for an actual serious buyer to come along. If he wants a perfect vehicle, go visit the new vehicle dealer.

 

185K and a rebuild needed soon?!!! with proper maintenance you shuld get at least 300K out of her before its needed. its a toy {and a 22re t'boot just about the most bullet proof engine they made}
Like other guys have said touch up a few of the simple things if you want [you can replace the frost plugs too, with a block heater maybe for one at least].
That gasket sealer gunk really works too we even use a version of the product in the aviation business [ if you want to use the aviation certified version of the stuff go to your local airport and ask to speak to an A&P mechanic most fo them are good guys and will be happy to hook you up, they might even do the work for you (after hrs. or on the weekend) the gunk is not even that expensive].
As to the price I agree wait til you get someone who knows what you've got and sell to them, or if they're a real keener and you feel like it educate them. Why not post it in the clasifieds here if you hav'ent already?
Cheers aviator

 

Truck sold this past wkd to another buyer who was happy to get it ($3300 with cap). I cleaned up the engine around the mating surfaces but didn't end up trying to seal it from the outside. I let the buyer know it was losing some oil like the mechanic said but not a head gasket or ring issue.

It was a little less than I was hoping to get, but the buyer seemed to understand what they were getting into (a great, but well-used truck that MAY need a rebuild if they don't like losing the oil) and was real enthusiastic. And since I picked up the new 4runner for $1200, I had some room to still come out ahead.

Thanks all for the advice. Need to get pics of the new runner up sometime soon...