Head Gaskets or New Motor

Hey guys,
I have had a decision placed in my lap. Took my 2010 4.0L into AutoNation Toyota (Atlanta GA) today to be diagnosed for a cylinder #3 misfire (192,000 miles) and a pinhole in an A/C line. Long story short they are telling me
Master Gasket Kit, new water pump, new oil pump, new timing chains, new head bolts etc. and ac line replaced for $7200.0 in about 5 days
Alternative, a new motor for 10K with a 15 week time frame to get the motor. Plus I'm sure the new motor won't come with the WP, OP and other gaskets to complete the motor.
The time isn't the issue, I'm a trucker by trade so I barely use the truck. But when I'm home I need it. So it need to be fixed I need input on which crossroad to take.
P. S. I called up Toyota of Marietta GA and was told you don't do gasket jobs on these motors because you can't mill and shave the heads like that old days. Usually when the gaskets go, the motor is replaced.

 

Thats an interesting claim - A: There are numerous of people on here who have had their head gaskets replaced. B: The heads are aluminum, the majority of heads are and have been aluminum, so why could they not be milled??

Im curious to see others response to this. If this is the truth (they cant be milled) that would be shocking news to me

 

You can buy a new short block from Toyota for $3,100 and have it in hand in less than 2 weeks.

The heads have spec limits on milling that any reputable machine shop would know how to access. Most would mill the absolute minimum to clean the surface and ensure it’s flat.

 

I think I'd get a second opinion on it needing headgaskets, if the truck has never been overheated they rarely fail on 07 and newer trucks.

From what I've read the issue with milling the heads and/or decking the block more than a couple thousandths is they will have issues with setting timing codes after due to how the timing chain is set up.

 

Sounds like an excuse to stuff a v8 in there

 

How do they know it’s a head gasket issue?

did they test for exhaust gases in the coolant system?

Does it smoke out of the exhaust? Do you have to add coolant regularly?

 

I had misfire code it was head gasket. Earlier 05-06 or 07 had headgasket issue. You can tell at stop idle would jump and in reverse. $7k seems pretty excessive (dealership price ?). My local mechanic did headgasket, waterpump, thermostat, serpentine belt, major svc, brakes, refill AC for about $2400 this was 4 yrs ago @ 160k.

I didnt do these...(new oil pump, new timing chains, new head bolts etc. and ac line replaced). Is timing chain necessary? I thought it last forever under normal driving conditions. Maybe over diagnosed? I probably didnt need to do waterpump or belt until next major svc 20-30k miles but they are taking everything apart may as well do it. Maybe thats the case w timing chain.

Id say shop around get 2nd,3rd option. If you plan on keeping truck do it. $3k would seem ideal price location may vary I guess.

 

That makes sense, but whatever amount was taken off the heads can it not be added back to the thickness of the head gasket to zero it out again?

 

If it could be done...❤️❤️❤️

 

Alot of places will recommend replacing the whole motor just because there is less risk on their end if the repair doesn't go correctly. Not saying I agree with it, but I understand why some shops go that route

I would kindly ask a few more questions about how they diagnosed the bad headgasket. Chemical block test? Compression/leak down?

A second or third opinion wouldn't hurt, but be wary of anyone who offers to diagnose it for free

On the bright side, there's worse vehicles to have to put big money into. Replacing a motor certainly won't hurt the resale value on these trucks.

 

For the quoted price, I would get an independent mechanic to give a 2nd opinion. Don't tell them what the dealer said. Are you sure it's a head gasket causing the misfire? Have you/they tried swapping a coil pack and see if the code moves from cylinder #3? Is there gas in the coolant? Maybe it really is a major issue but $100 is worth the investment for a 2nd opinion. You might find an independent mechanic could cut the price in half.

 

I don't really know how they diagnosed it. I did the coil pack test and #3 still misfired when it should have been #5.

 

Then you're on the right path it sounds. Sorry this has happened. Mine is also a 2010 with 173,000 miles. I know I'm just tooling around until a major problem hits but will try my best to kick it down the road. Good luck.