2002 2.4L Taco with 250K and blown head gasket. Is it worth fixing?

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I have a 2002 2.4 Tacoma with 250k on it that until yesterday was running like a champ. I was on a long drive yesterday on I-5 and the engine light came on and the temp gauge was going erratic up and down. I was in the middle of nowhere on Thanksgiving so I turned the heater full blast and kept driving. After some time the hot air stopped flowing but the engine was getting close to the red mark. After I stopped and started again got a cloud of white smoke. Next morning it started fine, than I added a full bottle of coolant to the radiator and it wouldn't start. Took into a mechanic, he said it's either a blown head gasket or a cracked head and said that with this many miles on the engine it's not worth doing a head gasket job. He quoted me $2650 for a used engine and $4900 total with labor. My question to you pros is it worth fixing? What could I get for the truck that's not running? I have no idea how good the replacement motor is, so I could be faced with a similar issue shortly after.

 

I'd get a second opinion.

He must not need the work, he bid the job a bit high.

You should be able to get a decent used engine for $7-800.

Another $600 to swap motors around here.

 

I agree with koditten, your mechanic’s quote is too high. You could buy another used truck with that repair bill. My opinion is if your truck have some sentimental value to you then look around for another engine. You can get one for around 1k. Then call around see if anyone can do the swap for a better price. If not then get another truck.

 

I got a reman 2rz block for $1k.....
.....and new set of heads for $750 shipped....

My boss knew these mexicans that rebuilt his V8 mustang engine...
they charged $1500 to swap everything over...

I didnt want to risk just doing the headgasket.....and ended up being a cracked head....which is very common....

 

https://www.kingcylinderheads.com/product-page/toyota-2-4-2-7-2rz-3rz-assembled-8-port

 

Fortunately/ unfortunately it didnt stop there....
didnt want to put a bunch of old junk back on.....so there's another 1200~1400 in new parts....
like flex plate......motor mounts.....oil/water pumps...headers.....timing set....ect....

 

@O'Silver_Taco where did you get the block? How many miles have you put on the engine since you put it in?

 

Buttercup is getting ready to celebrate her 11K birthmark in a couple weeks...


Block came from these guys in cali.....they sell a bunch of 3rz and 5rz....
steady supply....

Last time I checked its about $200 more two years later....
.....and they constantly run out of the 2rz's.......they out last check...

see if I can get that link...


The heads now have gone up $100 since....


Lots options on these engines.....I did the ultimate balance shaft delete.....
got rid of the 3rz......put back in 2rz.....

 

So you put the engine together yourself? How hard is that? The only engine I worked on was a 74 VW.

 

Are you nuts.....I'll do everything.....up to the engine.....

....thats when I was smart enough to hand off to the guys who fix/swap about 100 a year...
really got lucky............Technical term is 'Blessed'........

 

Now I wont even let someone touch it for an oil change....
world of idiots call themselves mechanics.....

 

If you have the intestinal fortitude, apptitude and access to tools, you'll find a few people here willing to help you out with what ever challenges you might encounter.

Signing up for TW might've been the smartest thing you've done without staying at a Holiday Inn Express

Good Luck! I hope you take the plunge Welcome to TW btw

 

Unfortunately you’re in a hole now with the engine not working.

with a new engine or lower mileage engine you might get $8-12k for the truck. So if you spend $4k maybe you’re at the $4-8k point if you sell it.

it really depends on how financially stable you may or may not be and your other options.

I do know that it’s cheaper to swap an engine than to fix a head gasket. You might be able to find a cheap engine from a wrecked truck and find someone who can do the swap for cheaper.

good luck though. I’m sure that’s frustrating

 

Most of those rem engines are from same place in california....

Big after market in these 3 engines.......

I even found this one on FB market couple weeks ago.... and looks like there's 5vz too in back right........

 

2.4 we are talking about a 2WD 5 lug truck correct ??

If so buy another truck keep what parts you can use and scrap the rest.

If your sticking with a Tacoma of the same vintage,

 

Thanks all for your responses. I decided to cut my losses and sell the truck as is. I actually got $2400 for it, and I still have the camper shell. If I had the time to look around for engines I would seriously consider getting it fixed, but I was planning to eventually getting rid of it at 300K anyway. The Tacomas seem waaaay marked up right now, so maybe my next set of wheels will be something different until things normalize again. Thanks again for all of your input!