Headgasket suspect.

ok so this past weekend i had to replace a coil due to misfire on #6 and my coolant bottle is lower than the low line but doesn't run hot and doesn't show any other signs of damage or failures..........after reading this i'm now wondering the time frame it took to for an intermediate shadetree mechanic such as myself could do it in....its an '05 with 191k v6...and i picked it up a few months ago..crap...last one i did was on '88 22r..

 

Dealership said it will be in the shop for 4 days. Somewhere in the TW headgasket threads I've seen the service book says 20 hours.

They offered me $5000 for the truck as is.. on either a $42K 2017 TRD Sport or a $38K 2014 Limited.
Options are take trade in on a new truck, or pay $5000 to fix the headgaskets, hope it's not a cracked block, and then sell it for $15,000 and buy a new truck.

 

....another option would be to take it to a reputable independent shop and have them do it for a couple thousand less, most likely.

Toyota charges out the ass for OEM parts and labor. They wanted $3200 to put a new clutch in my '04. Local transmission shop charged $900. Same dealership wanted $3600 to replace both catalytic converters on my truck, local exhaust shop only charged me $625 (granted they weren't Toyota cats but still).

Get a quote from another shop if it's not too late. A head gasket job is a labor intensive job but I guarantee you you'll get a much better quote from a local mechanic.

 

If it was mine(and it might be soon, I've got the heater core sloshing sound at startup) I would find a good used motor with not too many miles and compare the cost of a motor swap vs having a good local mechanic re-do the HG.

 

If anyone is close to Dallas, I saw a 1GR-FE with a terrible description, but low miles for $1900 on Craigslist.

I would probably lowball and see if he takes it.

Edit: Found it
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/toyota-tacoma-v6-engine/6358983957.html

 

There’s a thread on Facebook in the market place guy is selling a 60k engine with supercharger and fit kit for 5800 bucks.. located in or around San Diego CA.

 

To confirm yourself I would do a oil analysis before trusting any mechanic.

 

Costs a lot less of you can afford the time, and have the tools.

 

so since i don't know much about these newish vehicles ( still a novice to motor swaps ) will a 4.0 and a ecu's from a different year match up with the '05 with an auto trans...trying to avoid this happening as much as possible

 

how many miles on it?? that seems stupid expensive

 

You could get a similar model year FJ with low miles for the same price. 2012 maybe, but still in that neighborhood.

 

Good point.. My vote is for a 6spd FJ since the limiteds only came with the auto..

 

Only the '07-'09 FJ engines are compatible with the 1GR Tacoma.

 

I would suggest looking at the following while you have it apart, while I was doing my head gasket I replaced all of the following too :

1. radiator was super crusty inside, replaced it.
2. water pump was showing early signs of probs, replaced it.
3. replaced all idler and tensioner pulleys, same here one was definitely bad and it is so much easier to do if you have everything else apart already.

 

First, they are completely bullshitting you..this is a very common problem with 05-07's. I only spent $2500 and that included the radiator, water pump and pulleys I mentioned in my previous post so their quote of $4500 is insane. Unless your truck has seriously overheated the heads will be fine. Always a good idea to have a machine shop check them but if all they do is check them it's only $100. 99% chance that everything else is perfectly fine, hell my shop even commented how great the valve seats and everything else looked for 150k miles. The head gasket itself is the problem, dealers are a rip off - go to another shop.

 

yeah i looked up all the parts i need including pulleys and water pump with belt and thermostat and might've missed a couple but for the most part it was under $1000 to do myself that includes fluids and having heads checked from a local shop...

 

Don't forget the special tri-square tool to remove the OEM head bolts.

 

Ended up moving to a 3rd gen;


Stripped all my gear of the 2005 and managed to get them up on the price. The dealership had no interest in fixing it at all - way too much of a risk that it could have overheated and cracked the block. They had it sold to an auction house for $4500 before we were out of the parking lot in the new one.

Sad way to go, and I know that it could've been saved with an engine swap or a thorough tear down and repair. Didn't fit the family plan at this time so we had to move on.