Head gasket or buy a new motor?

Hi everyone, I'm seeking opinions for my repair.

I have a 5vz with 190k that blew a head gasket on the passenger side. Upon inspection of the heads, my buddy and I realized there's a small crack in the head between 2 of the valves. The same cylinder has chafing on the walls and appears to have leaked coolant through the head gasket. Is this tiny crack in the head the reason for the head gasket failure? Or is it a possible threat to the engine ever running correct again? Would i be better off sourcing a used engine? From what I've read, nobody trusts any aftermarket head gaskets or kits, only trust OEM Toyota, correct? Should i forget about doing a head gasket and start looking for a engine? I have it torn apart in my friend's garage so I'm also trying to make this happen asap. Thanks!

 

if your fingernail catches the cylinder damage it is too much and a replacement engine might be the way to go. I have had good luck with JDM motors others havnt.

 

I have the same issue. My truck blew up head gaskets on both sides of my engine after 20 years & 276K miles, was leaking coolant while I drove it from my house to the repair shop, and I made it there without the engine seizing or having to call a tow truck. I'm having my mechanic install a used, low mileage engine that's been tested with a 6 month warranty included.

If you decide to rebuild your original engine block, you'll have to tear it all the way down to the cylinder heads and check for any issues, service the heads at the machine shop, and rebuild the engine with new water pump/belts/gaskets, tune up, new coolant & oil. Good luck with your repair and let us know what your progress is,

 

There's no physical gouges or scratches in the cylinder. I'll send pics when i get off work. It feels more like a residue. I would think a honing would clean the cylinder up good. My concern is primarily the crack in the head. I'll send pics of that also when i get out of work.

 

Till you spend the money to repair the head then depending what other head work might need done.

Being that your also due for a timing belt .

Used engine install new timing belt call it good for another 100,000 miles

 

You actually are still with a low mileage engine,

I would repair the head if your ar 190k, unless you can find a 100,000 motor that is in a trunk running

Mine blew at 490,00 So was better to get a low mileage 100,000 mileage engine which is what I did.

 

How do you repair a head with a crack between 2 of the valves?

 

Back in 2013 i bought my 04 with a seized 3.4. I bought a used but complete 2003 69k mile motor for $1400 shipped. New tbelt/wp kit, replaced some gaskets & hoses and the clutch kit since i had the motor out. I installed the replacement motor and not a single hiccup since.

 

it can be welded but most shops dont want to deal with cracked and warped heads. Try and source a used one and have it rebuilt with new valve seats, valves. Like new!

 

It looks like you can buy refurbished heads from a whole bunch of places. I have no idea how good they would be but it might be worthwhile looking into.

 

Do the prep work weld the crack re machine the valve seats as needed .

Not something most people who can`t do it in house farm out not cheap

 

I think the issue a lot of people run into is while you're in there trying to replace the head gasket you might find other things that need to be replaced and it can add up quickly.

I blew the head gasket on both sides at and two cylinders are failing the leak down test by a lot. I can get a used engine for $1200 with 60,000 miles on it. The shop wants $2800 to put it in, but I think I'm going to try it myself. Probably won't get around to it until January though.

 

swapping the engines on Tacomas is a relativly easy process if you have a cherry picker. The only real issue is if it is a 4X4 automatic... the torque convertor bolts can only be accessed when the motor trans is lifted up enough. There is a groove in the oil pan with just enough clearance to get the socket extension in there and there is a very small rotational "window" to do this.

 

I'm not scared to put an engine in there. Doing the work isn't tough, I'm just being a cheap ass and dont wanna drop the 1500 bucks for a used engine.

 

Hence the reason i ask if anyone on here has personal experience with repairing a head or using a head with a crack in it. I'm tempted to put a cheap head gasket on it to see if it holds up. 100 dollar option. If it holds, hell yeah! If not, it was only 100 bucks wasted.

 

Need engines? Some out here. No idea where you are located.
KC, MO
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/d/2000-toyota-tacoma/6764619928.html
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/d/03-toyota-tacoma/6764624543.html

STL, MO
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ptd/d/parting-out-2001-toyota/6763492058.html

OHIO
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ptd/d/fs-jdm-5vz-engine-toyota/6765454372.html

NEVADA, TX
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ptd/d/for-parts-2002-toyota-tacoma/6769328523.html

DALLAS, TX
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/2012-tacoma-toyota-gray/6750356212.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ptd/d/toyota-pickup-truck-tacoma/6756437486.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/2006-tacoma-toyota-silver/6712092595.html

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/1997-toyota-tacoma-parts/6762419372.html

RICHARDSON, TX
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/ptd/d/toyota-tacoma-engine-toyota/6765487545.html

GARLAND, TX
https://tulsa.craigslist.org/ptd/d/5vz-5vz-fe-5vzfe-toyota/6754281564.html

HOUSTON, TX
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ptd/d/jdm-toyota-tacoma-tundra-t100/6750473489.html

OKC, OK
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/d/34l-v6-toyota-4runner-tacoma/6741887423.html Says $150 bucks.

SULLIVAN, WI
https://madison.craigslist.org/pts/d/2003-toyota-tacoma-2wd-for/6726518983.html

FRANKLIN PARK, IL
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/ptd/d/jdmtoyota-tacoma-t100-4runner/6762221281.html

EDIT: These aren't mine, just what keeps popping up on my CL searches.
EDIT2: You might also try searching with https://www.searchtempest.com/ It'll check local CL up to a certain mile radius, ebay, and autotrader and I think one other.
EDIT3: I'll keep updating this with finds on 5vz's or parts.


Just for fun, slap this in there!
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/ptd/d/jdm-toyota-1jzgte-vvti-25l/6770273883.html

 

I wouldn't recommend just slapping a gasket on and trying to run. It'll make things worse if the crack worsens. Replace the whole head or replace the engine.

 

I agree.

 

@BubbaTaco324 What area are you located, I'll try to track down something local.