'97 Tacoma Blown Head Gasket - Decision Time

This is my first post here, but I've been reading threads for long enough to know that this is where I should come for advice. Thanks in advance.

I have a '97 Tacoma, 4 cylinder 4x4 with 222K miles on it. Unfortunately I recently blew a head gasket. The engine rebuild and fixing a few other things is going to total around $4-4.5k. I've been offered $500 to scrap it.

So now its decision time, spend about 30 thousand on a new tacoma, or drop 4 grand into my 21 year old. My mechanic, who I trust, thinks its borderline, could go either way. Hard to tell when the next major problem will come up.

I've heard many stories of old tacomas getting 400k+ miles, and even a few rumors of people turning over the odometer. Can anyone testify to this personally? Anyone willing to share there experiences with a similar decision? Open to all advice and opinions.

 

I will give you $600. Just kidding. The truck is worth a lot more then that. I experienced the same dilemma as you recently with a 97 4runner. Depending on how bad the gasket failed, you could possibly just replace the head gasket (more likely a temporary fix). How long have you owned, maintenance history, how much you got in it (i.e. tires, bumpers, etc.)??? If you know the vehicle because you have owned it for quite sometime and kept up on maintenance, might be worth fixing. However if you have only had it for a short time and few miles and the head gasket has failed, then I would think it was not well maintained.

 

We talked the option of just replacing the gasket, but apparently that can cause more problems in the bottom half of the engine due to pressure differences.

I bought it for $5,750 three years ago, put 25k miles on it and have kept it up on maintenance while i've had it. The previous owner did a great job keeping it up as well. Other than this and replacing a radiator a month ago (no doubt related), Ive had no real issues with it. I'm leaning towards fixing it, especially with the cost of new tacomas these days, and considering how much I like mine.

 

If you decide to go for the new truck route I'm sure you can post on Craigslist and get a little more than 500 for it.

 

If you say that the truck has always been well maintained by the previous owner and yourself. I'd consider keeping it, especially if runs strong other than this issue.

investing into this old truck is going to be less expensive than a brand new truck. Also, do you want monthly payments for the next few years?

by the way, no one would replace their gaskets if it created other problems in the engine.... plenty of people on here have replaced headgaskets without any problems afterwards

 

Why would you buy a new engine for 5k as opposed to putting a junkyard engine in it for 1500-2000?

 

The head gasket has nothing to do with the bottom half of the engine. What can cause problems is when you rebuild the head (i.e. rings, valves, etc...) which puts added stress and pressure to the bottom half of the motor. I agree with @cory02taco in the option of a low mile aged factory motor or possibly a JDM motor. These motors have forged internal parts whereas most rebuilds will have cast parts. I have had better luck with low mile aged used motors than rebuilt motors from Joe the Motor Builder. Most rebuilt motors come with a short warranty. You might think "But it's Warrantied". However, they very seldom fail during that short warranty period. You may also be in a position where time, space, and a need for a vehicle limits your options. Just my thoughts and good luck.

 

I was in your same place a few years ago at 480,000 miles. I was able to find a used motor in a rolled
tuck with 100,000 for 1500 with all the added parts. I’m at 560,000 now and that was the the correct route for me.
Here is the tread when I was on the fence.
I say just find a good used engine 100,000 and go that route.
It cost me 2500 total for engine and a guy to swap it for me.
Don’t get a JDM motor as you have absolutely NO idea of how many miles are on it
unless you are ok at gambling.
JDM motor has no documentation on miles, have to change the oil pan out, no oil cooler, pulleys setup is completely different and doesn’t match up and different size pulleys too, etc

If you buy a new truck your value drops every mile you drive. The old truck you can drive as many miles as you want and the value won’t really change much.

New truck, payment will be 500 a month with insurance for like 5 years?.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...89-000-miles-repair-or-replace-engine.397363/