Blown Headgasket

So I recently I purchased the 4runner I have been looking for a long time. Has 183k miles, sport edition, excellent condition. I just discovered oil in my coolant reservoir. So I took it to my local shop and found out I have a blown head gasket. I really want to keep it since these are hard to come by over here. The shop is charging around 4k for the repairs. I was wondering if it would be easier to have them put a remanufactured engine instead or have them fix those problems. What's the average cost for an engine swap 3.4L 5VZE.

 

Id take it back to the mechanic you took it to for inspection before you purchased it and ask them how they missed something as obvious as a blown head gasket

 

I’d go to a different mechanic if I received paper work as shitty looking as that. If his work is as good as his paper work your fucked

And correct me if I’m wrong but a head gasket set over 400$ seems like highway robbery

 

Yea I found the OEM parts are much cheaper. Olathe Toyota Parts. I'm either going to take it to another local shop or Toyota dealership and see what they say. Either way Im going to have it fixed it regardless. I bought the vehicle private sale. Didn't show any signs of a blown head gasket until about a month and half later. Didn't overheat or anything. Seemed weird when I checked the coolant.

 

Probably added some stop leak head gasket fix to the cooling system to get it sold without running hot

 

Maybe, It was weird that it didn't reach proper operating temperature. It only reached about 1/4 of the way. Which I found odd. The Check Engine Light recently popped up which threw the P046 code. So I have to see what that is as well.

 

The best mechanics I know don't even have a computer in their shop. Or you could go to the dealer....get LOTS of fancy paperwork on PRINTED paper and have a guy who doesn't know shit wrench on your ride.

That said $400 for the gaskets are tad steep, and $4k for everything is about double what I've paid previously.

 

I've replaced motors on multiple 3rd gen 4runners.

The first one I found a totaled/salvage 4runner with 110k miles. Yanked the motor and that motor still running 5 years later. I parted out the donor 4runner. I made $2000 plus a free engine.

The 2nd 4runner I bought a used motor from LKQ (or search car-part.com). $900, low miles, with a 6 month warranty.

Toyota assembled these motors better than any recondition motor. Almost all reconditioned motors are built with Chinese crap pistons and rings and internals. My opinion is to find one with less than 150k and you are golden.

 

I found one with 121k miles for $1,396 on allusedcarparts.com don't know if it's legit or not but I'll see more shops around

 

My head gasket just went out on my 96. Rock auto has head gasket kit with Headbolts for $139. Add that with a few hundred to a machine shop to deck the heads and pressure check include the other various parts and fluids. You’re really out about $500 or less. If you have a decent tool box and a torque wrench. And a few evenings with of work.

 

I have already replaced the engine with one that has 114k miles.