Replace head gasket vs whole engine

So I believe my head gasket is toast on my 2006. I keep hearing mixed things on what route to take when fixing. Sounds like some people get new problems after replacing the head gasket while others are scared to buy a junkyard or remanufactured engine. What would y’all do

edit - Quotes I received
Japanese specialist shop in Bakersfield
-$6500 (remanufactured engine + labor)
Toyota
-4500 (1 year warranty unlimited miles original engine includes price for machining)
Every other shop was 3k-5k for the head gasket alone not including machining prices and none of them wanted to do it because the mileage.



edit - found a 2015 engine with 3K miles for $2700 at toyo parts only in North Hollywood

 

The answer highly depends on the mechanical inclination of whomever may be doing the install. Replacing the head gasket is quite an expensive job, at least $800-1000 to disassemble as is. Usually when tearing down you may also need to replace gasket and other components that may be worn.

I swap motors weekly so in my opinion it would be much easier to just swap the engine out with a newer variation. Usually with blown head gaskets, other parts may soon follow and fail.

 

I will say this. Had my 4runner blow a head gasket. Payed an “expert” according to my friends $2000. That is parts and labor. He took everything apart and decked the heads and all that. Car drove great afterwards.....for 9k miles... then it blew the gasket again.

after that I found a 2007 fj cruiser engine with “90k” on it. (Turns out it was 156k) bought the engine for $1000 on offer up and payed someone $500 to install it. Much better option and runs great for a year now.

 

Any thoughts on remanufactured with a warranty?

 

I have gone through 3 so far.....all head gaskets. All done by Toyota and personal mechanic. Both took out and dropped a used engine in there each time. Said it was easier and cheaper. Last time, I got a remanufactured one with warranty and truck is in shop now with symptoms of a blown head gasket again. Remanufactured engine only lasted 6 months...much less than the used ones.

Did engone get hot and overhead? Might be better to get used engine since heads might have warped if they got hot enough.

 

Overheated now missfires

 

I recently got a reman engine after i threw a rod bearing. Truck runs decent but it feels just a bit off. couldn't put it into words. It does have a 24,000/2 year warranty on the engine though so that gives some definite peace of mind

 

My head gasket went around 137,000 miles. I took mine to a mechanic I knew and trusted. He went through the motor and replaced what needed to be replaced when he did the job. My heads were fine so they didnt need any work. I am now at 214,543 miles and my motor runs like a top. Before the work was done I was changing the oil every 3000 miles running conventional Castrol 5w/30. Since the work was done I run Castrol High Mileage 5w/30 Conventional/ Synthetic Blend and change it every 4500 miles. I run a Toyota Air and Oil filter and my motor was clean and didnt show any wear when the motor was torn down. So if you know your motor I would keep your motor and have the work done to it.

 

I've always heard it described as the death of an engine, but it doesn't have to be. Personally, I just don't like the idea of swapping motors unless it is a brand new motor. You never really know what's wrong with a junkyard or remanufactured motor.

 

I would suggest a remanufactured one, if the funds are available. It comes with a decent warranty and parts are new.

By the time you get it pulled, broken down, machined, put together and back in the truck, you'll be around the price of a remanufactured one..IMO

It's always a gamble with junkyard engines plus the warranty is only a few months long or so.....but sometimes it pays off.

 

sure are pricey 0_o

 

My rebuild was from an engine recycling place. It was around $4,700. It came with all of the acessories and pulleys, water pump, etc. Don't know exactly where because my mechanic got it.
Some of those don't come with anything on them(bare block).

I would suggest getting in contact with an engine recycler near you. Usually a handfull of them in big cities.

 

I'd start with the reason your head gasket blew, and how long and often you let it overheat. How well did you maintain it before it blew.

Junkyards, rebuilds, remanufactured, they're all mixed terms and hold risk. Often Re-manufactured or rebuilt means they replaced at least one part, but not necessarily more. If you read the fine print they say they check for wear and replace items NEEDING to be replaced. I've seen Remans with grime covering the oil pan bolts, meaning they never even tool the oil pan off to check things like rod and crank bearings. In those circumstances you are hoping the previous owner maintained their truck. The worse part is the warranty often only covers the replacement engine, not the installation. If you go Reman make sure they are reputable.

 

If your motor had no mechanical issues prior to the HG, I would fix and keep. Getting another used motor with an unknown history may put you in the same predicament. The only way I would consider scrapping yours is excessive miles of over 200k. Then it would simply be the annoyance of replacing wear and tear items after the HG repair. Unfortunately, it's extremely hard to find used low mileage 4.0 engines.

 

I’m at 225k

 

Do you have your build date? Just curious cuz I have an 06. Supposedly they changed to the redesigned HG in 12/05

 

I want to say 10/05 but I’m not sure

 

at 225k miles I'd find a used engine with lower miles from after the HG problem was addressed.

 

My build was 12/05 and I had the bad head gasket...

 

I went all over town yesterday, lowest quote I got for a motor was 3800 and that motor came out of an 05. Quotes I got for a remanufactured engine were about 4500-5500 (not including installation). Toyota wants 4500 for the head gasket, but comes with a one year unlimited mile warranty
Other option is I take out the motor, take it apart, and then I take the pieces to a shop to have everything machined before putting it all back together and throwing it back in