Another leaking headgasket (2006): new engine or bail?

Hello all, new here. Hoping you can help us make a huge decision. We have a 2006 V6 4wd Access Cab Taco with 319,000k on it. We bought it in 2009 with 48k on it certified pre-owned. Told by our repair shop a head gasket is leaking, and it is losing coolant, and they put that goopy stuff in it, which fixed the idiot light for about a week. Took it to a dealership whose mechanic shook his head on hearing that and said well, you have to replace the gasket because they put that stuff in there. But they don't think it's worth fixing because of high mileage. Trouble is, we don't have a lot of money and can't afford a huge loan payment. We have kept up with oil changes and fixed any other stuff. We don't trust our repair shop anymore because in the last couple years with new staff they have screwed up more than once, fixing the wrong things or sending the truck out with things not fixed at all and then getting defensive when we complained about it and telling us they were doing us a favor by fixing what they screwed up!

At any rate, the dealer is quoting us $13,650 to put a new engine in it with everything, or $7,525 to put a used engine with 103k on it (they don't seem to know what year it is or what vehicle it came out of - does that sound right to you?). They're not giving us a printout of any of this with a breakdown of parts and labor. That new engine figure seems really high to me (they're saying 50 hours' labor at $102/hr), and I worry that something else major could go wrong, although they would do new fluids (coolant, transmission, oil) and change spark plugs (already new on it) and maybe a new drive (belt? didn't catch that). I would also recommend they change out the rear main seal as long as they have everything apart.

But what do you think? Neither one of us is handy, so we can't do it. The truck has had very few major problems. Recent work done: flushed heater core; passenger side wheel bearing (which they failed to diagnose, calling it a sway bar link problem, so the ABS sensor failed, all of which they charged us for); spark plugs replaced; new muffler; transmission service; serpentine belt replaced; new thermostat. All of this has been done since August, and we have a new frame done free on recall.

Help?

 

Get an '09 Tacoma engine. With the least amount of miles on it.

Fly me up there and pay me 2k USD, and I'll help you both knock out the swap in a weekend.

 

Wow, sorry to hear about your challenges here. So if I am understand you, the head is still leaking? If I remember correctly leaking head gaskets were a problem on the 2006's and another year or two in there. So I would definitely want to know the year of motor that would be replacing it.
Also I personally definitely wouldn't spring for a new motor with that many miles on the rest of the truck. Does the quote from the dealer on the used engine come with a warranty? How long and what does it cover?
The dealership is by far the most expensive place to get work done. If you have lost faith in your own mechanic I would definitely start searching around for one with good reviews. You can look reviews up on YELP, Google, and other places for local shops in your area. When you are there be sure and leave a review for the shop you have lost faith in. It may save someone else the headaches you have had with them.
Unfortunately there are a lot of dishonest and poorly managed shops. Most people don't know enough about mechanics to know that so they can easily be taken advantage of. Take your time and read the reviews. Take your truck in and get another quote on replacing the motor and tell them everything you want done. Ask them where they would get the engine from and what kind of warranty it would have on it and mileage on motor.
At least that is where I would start. That will at least tell you where you are at and what it will take to repair your truck. I always recommend getting 3 quotes on major work. Sounds like you got one already. You may be able to save an extra $1000-$2000 at least by getting some other quotes from reliable shops. Be sure you get the warranty in writing and the shop has plenty of good reviews.

 

You gonna bring an engine hoist and all your mechanic tools with ya?

 

My skill isn't enough?

 

Seems like a deal to me. Wondering why an 09' and not something newer?

 

Mine also leaks and I've been looking around off and on for use motors and found lots for 3-4k cad. i feel like they might be giving you the run around, also dealer shops rates are ridiculous which is going to kill you on labor costs. ide look around for a different shop.

 

Because the heads are different. That is the easiest swap. A newer can also be done. Just need to make sure to use the headers which came with the 2006 engine.

 

Those are some mad skills you got there!

 

I jest. We jest.

 

I would not put almost 8K into a 15 year old, >300K mileage truck, never mind >13, but your situation will dictate your needs. Have you looked around for an independent mechanic to do the head gaskets? That's definitely your cheapest option, and in fact isn't really all that difficult to tackle yourself. It's tedious, especially if you're not an experienced shade-tree, but it's do-able.

 

Gotcha, learn something new everyday

 

Haven't yet looked into an indepedent mechanic to do the heads. Our mechanic told us it would have to go to a machine shop. What would it cost just to get the head gaskets replaced?

 

It really is out of the question for us to do this ourselves. Old, disabled and unmechanical are our shining traits, lol!

 

I had this same problem with my 2005 about six months ago at 215k miles, although the dealership quoted me a bit less for the work. I decided to grab an engine from a wrecked 2015 with 70k miles locally for 3k and swapped it in 3 days. It's doable with basic tools + an engine hoist (obviously). If you're not comfortable doing the work I would at least get a quote from a different shop to compare prices.

 

He didn't mention a warranty and didn't give us a written quote. We got the feeling they didn't want to bother with us, really, almost as if they deliberately quoted a high price because they'd rather have us trade the truck in (at a steal from us, I'm sure) and try to sell us something newer at a very high price and probably high miles.

 

Assuming worst case, that would be a tough decision for me (My engine swapping days are long past).
On the one hand, you did get a pile of miles out of it.
On the other hand, do you have full coverage insurance?
Just spit-balling, here. Gimme a break, I'm from NJ. 40 years ago I would have known someone to call to make that problem go away.

 

I’m not doubting you at all. I’d say very few guys here have been inside the 1Gr more than you.
I honestly didn’t know the heads were different until after 11’ when the SAIS was added.

Good thing to know. Hopefully I never need to “know” this for myself.

 

You’ll be in the hole deep if you sink 16k into that pickup

@Torspd gave you the best option, and if it’s a serious offer I’d REALLY consider making it happen.

I’ve never let a dealership touch my truck, but he’s the kind of guy I’d ship my truck to for anything and sleep well, just by the rep on this forum. You’d be in good hands and much better off financially!

 

Thoughts.

Has the engine's health been assessed with Compression check, coolant system pressure check, oil analysis.......

The engine may just need a head gasket and a bit of maintenance. A replacement engine should be a last option. A well maintained engine can go to nearly 500 kmiles. Most don't, but at the 300+ level, you need to run health checks.

Suggest you go to a few other shops for competitive quotes and engine evaluations. Unless the head is damaged, it will only need a gasket. If the head is damaged.....then a machine shop maybe needed. There are multiple options.

Remember, the dealer is going to maximize service......needed or not.

Figure out what is needed, then make a decision.