Repair, Re-Build, or Replace?? Blown HeadGasket

Hey Everyone,

I am in a bit of a situation here and would greatly appreciate some buy-in from you folks on Best path forward.

Sitting on an 05' DCSb 4x4 4.0l with 195k with a blown Head Gasket.

Was on a road trip from Seattle back down to LA when this occured south of Portland, long story short diagnosis showed Carbon monoxide in Collida the with white smoke out of exhaust and blown HG. Backtracked to Seattle for $125 haul.

Thanks to TW, I found some Toyota guys locally in Tacoma that can do the HG repair for $1795.00 (7days and $1000-1500 less than anyone else I've sourced).

They can do the complete rebuild for $4950 at 3-4 weeks with 18 month warranty but local shop when I live in LA, so not much use if something goes wrong down the road.

Or they can do the swap job in 7 days for $1700 and by sourcing elsewhere I found a 40k ditto engine for $3800 or 80k at $3100, putting the whole job for the swap at $4800 or $5500+ depending on which mileage I choose.

Both donors would have 6 month warranty.

Recent issues with engine: The power steering just went and I replaced that and the tensioner and idler pulleys myself in the last month or so.

Also, Just did a radiator flush.

Definitely intend on keeping the truck for as long as possible but I'm torn on what best path forward is.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

How’s the rest of the truck look?

 

Unless you love it... Bars leak and Craiglist.
Did I say that out loud?

Seriously, unless there are other issues with the motor, get out the wrenches and replace the gasket.

 

Pretty good overall. Frame is good. Minimal rust. Suspension good. New bilstein shocks on 3" lift with 33" tires.

Tranny seems well.

K&N air intake, magniflo exhaust. Electrical good.

Recent put in DVD with backup camera and sliders.

 

Damn I have exactly 195k....worried about this issue too

Replace the head gasket your self !

 

Usually a swap would be cheaper than a rebuild... (in first gens anyway) I'd wait until you're back in LA if you're going to replace the engine - you could do it for way cheaper down here I reckon.

Head gasket sounds like the best plan.

 

From what I've read here, the head gasket was a known issue in 05,06. New head gaskets were designed and used in 07 that fixed the flaw. If you go rebuilt, find something 07 or newer. Otherwise get the head gasket for an 07.

My 06 popped the head gasket around 230k. I went for a swap. Just over 5 grand with a new radiator, altenator, and transmission filter and fluid.

 

For all you guys who are saying to replace it yourself --- the 4.0 headgasket is not a simple job you can finish in a weekend with the help of a buddy and a few beers. Shops will charge 20 hours or more book time to do this and that is for a mechanic with experience and know-how. I have heard here and other places that it is actually easier to do headgasket replacement with the engine out of the truck.

Totally different engine, but my brother thought he could do the headgasket on his 3.slow. He soon realized he was in way over his head and sold the truck as a project at a loss.

 

you have an 08. some 05-06's had issues with headgaskets that were revised in 07 i believe

 

I just had to replace both headgaskets on my 2005 T4R V6, 145k miles. The HG design from 03-05 was flawed and Toyota did a "redesign" in 2006 to fix the issue instead of a costly recall. Anyhow both heads were warped bad but they were able to machine both heads perfectly. FYI - Engine code came back as missfire on cylinder #6.
My mechanic has done several HG's pre-2006 T4R's this year alone. Defintley a PITA of a job.
I paid $2775.00 for:
HG
2 Tensioners
Thermostat
Spark Plugs
and a few extras

 

Yeah that is what I have ran into. I was going to go the DIY route until I read my Chilton and realized the intensity of the 4.0 head gasket repair.

That's crazy about your brothers truck. Sorry for his loss.

 

Mine has been leaking for a while. I'm afraid it's going to burst before I address it.

Good luck

 

We just got rid of a 2004 4Runner with 150K and the dreaded P0306 #6 cylinder misfire. Quoted $3000 for HG replacement and another $1000 for brake work. Just not worth keeping it.



-RJM

 

Dang. I'd do it for $800. The HG that is. Not including parts.

 

:bookmarked: (prays headgasket doesn't fail)

 

What did you end up doing?

 

The OP has a total of 19 posts and this thread is 3 years old. I would guess he is no longer on TW and no longer driving a Tacoma.

 

Dang it lol