Hello, I need help concerning my 4runner, please read, any advice is much appreciated, thank you.

Hello, so about a year and a half ago I bought a 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD V6 off craigslist. Earlier this month, the head gasket blew on it at 208,000 miles. The first mechanic I brought it too was my mechanic since I had bought the car and he said he was concerned about the bottom end of the engine due to "inconsistent pressure readings" and said that he thinks the engine will crack, wanting to do an engine replacement instead of a head gasket replacement for 12,000 dollars. Although it's a family run mechanic shop I've gone to for years, it sounded a bit fishy to me, so I brought it to a Toyota dealership mechanic instead for a second opinion. He said that although he couldn't find any issues with the engine, he recommended replacing the engine instead of the head gasket anyway due to my model of engine statistically failing at around 250,000 miles, with his estimate at around the same price. I also have a family friend that can do both of these jobs for much cheaper than these mechanics if need be, but it still would be extremely costly to me.

I'm unsure what to do. Although I feel as though these mechanics are trying to swindle me, I am concerned that my engine will blow in the future and that the head gasket replacement will just be a waste of money I will regret. I've considered doing the head gasket replacement and buying an extended warranty on the car to cover a possible future engine replacement, but I don't know a lot about extended warranties and I'm unsure if the warranty companies will cover an engine replacement after seeing on my records that the head gasket had been replaced and two mechanics had recommended replacing the engine in the past, despite the fact that there is no real evidence of pre-existing damage to the engine before getting the warranty.

What should I do? If I get an extended warranty, do any of you guys know whether it will cover a future engine replacement or not, despite what the mechanics have said? If not, do I need to replace the engine/buy a new car right now? Or are these mechanics full of it and I should just get a head gasket replacement, not bother with the extended warranty and hope for the best? Any advice would be very much appreciated, thank you.

 

Sorry for your troubles, personally I would get rid of the vehicle and look for something else. I repaired a head gasket on an old Explorer and sank a lot of money into it before saying uncle getting something new and experiencing new problems one after another after a head gasket repair. I realize we are not comparing apples with apples here but my point is the engine has served you well and $12k or anywhere in that ballpark is money that could be better spent. A 2004 vehicle with that many miles is bound to need other repairs that will continue to nickle and dime you to death.

You are better off taking that $12k and putting it towards another newer vehicle and less headaches in my opinion. I am not sure what your financial situation is but I would take that $12k and put a down payment on something much newer and better. Sorry if thats not what you were wanting to hear I get it I've been there but at some point you're throwing good money after bad in my opinion.

 

@mac1usa Well I wouldn't be spending 12,000, I know someone that will probably do the head gasket for around 2,500 or the engine for around 6,000, but I don't really have the finances for a car that isn't complete junk tbh. I'm just worried about the engine blowing if I replace the head gasket though.

 

Gotcha maybe I misread or read to fast. How is the frame of your 4R still ok good shape?

I just had a bad experience with a different vehicle. If you have someone you trust doing the work that might be different also.

 

@mac1usa I do trust the person, and yes there's no rust on the frame, transmission works great, etc.

I'm just worried about what the mechanics are saying and that my engine will blow even if I replace the head gasket, and I'm also worried that if I buy an extended warranty, the warranty might not cover a future engine replacement based on what the mechanics have said, even though there is no confirmed pre-existing damage on the engine.

Needless to say, it's also extremely frustrating that neither of these mechanics can seem to give me a straight answer about my engine lol

 

Head gaskets are a known issue with the 1GR up to 2006. In your shoes I'd find a salvage yard engine with lower miles from after 2006. If there's none around, sell the 4Runner as-is for whatever you can get for it.

 

"Blew a head gasket" is a pretty vague statement to offer you sound advice with. Did the engine overheat? If so, did you continue driving it? Is it misfiring, or blowing white smoke out of the tail pipe? Generally, head gasket repairs last a long time, if properly done by someone who is competent in major engine repairs.

 

Have you given any thought to a used engine? Not sure if this is the specific one, but I would imagine there are more options out there than just those two. just throwing out an idea for what it’s worth.

https://www.jdmenginedepotinc.com/product/05-09-toyota-4runner-4-0l-v6-engine-1gr-8151628/

 

Personally, I'd opt for a replacement engine as suggested. You can use any of the V6 engines up to 2015 that have the single VVT-i. This broadens what the engine can come from as well since you could use one from up to a 2004-2015 Tacoma, 2003-2009 4runner, 2006-2009 FJ Cruiser or even a 2005-2009 Tundra. They point is, shop around for a newer than 2006 used engine with lower miles.

The 4Runner isn't a complete junk vehicle, you were just unfortunate enough to find one that happened to have head gasket issues and now need to deal with it. You get the repair done, either repairing the head gasket or replacing the engine, and it will be a very reliable vehicle again as long as you keep up on the maintenance.

 

^*2005-2011* Tacoma to avoid dealing with manifold air injection system blockoff plates, etc. Of course you'd want to avoid 2005-2006 engines for the same head gasket issue, so that leaves 2007-2011 Tacoma.

 

Also, I think you should let go of the idea that someone will warranty your engine at 200,000 miles.

Even if someone is willing to take your money for such a warranty, that doesn't mean they will pay out when it comes to it. Guaranteed they will find a way not to pay.

I think it would be cheaper for you to sell this one right now and use that money as a down payment on another used 4Runner.

 

Unfortunately, with a head gasket issue, he would be lucky to get $1000 for the 4runner without repairing it.

 

I concur with cygnus. How do you know the head gasket is blown? There are tests called combustion leak test kits for round $30 on Amazon. Ya fill a turkey style baster, stick it in your radiator port n pump the blue fluid n see if it turns green. Simple, 5-10 minute test n even shade tree mechanics can do it. Below is just 1 example... Good luck!