Should I fix it or not before selling?

Despite my efforts to keep my 1997 Xtra cab forever I finally broke down and got a 2006 double cab because I needed more seats.

I now need to sell my 97. As luck would have it the old truck started leaving a small patch of oil on the driveway the day after I got back from purchasing the 2006.

I checked the oil and it's really not losing any significant amount.

I am going to clean off the engine to determine where the leak is coming from but my guess is the oil pan gasket (FGIP) as there are no signs of a head gasket blowout, and the valve cover gasket isn't showing any visible leaks. I also checked the oil filter and its tight.

I know that replacing the oil pan gasket is a pain because you have to drop the front diff, and I'm not sure I want to deal with that...

Truck drives fine, and has for the past 10 years.

I was planning on doing some repairs this weekend: replace exhaust manifold with OEM miniheader, and rebuild starter.

Some stats about the Truck:

2nd owner, 169xxx miles, 2.7L Auto 4x4. New tires (cooper AT3), solid frame (truck spent first 17 years in GA and only recently moved to Ithaca NY). Dome light doesn't work.

My question is: Should I sell it as is or fix and then sell. I don't really want to sink any money into it, but if I can't sell it then I may have too. Any pricing recommendations?

 

No clue on pricing, but if it costs less to fix than you'd lose in the sale by having the issue - it's worth fixing, if it doesn't cost you a lot of time or energy to make it not worthwhile in that regard.

 

Local Toyota Dealership quotes $779.93 to replace gasket... so that's the high end cost.

 

Can you save $750 in labor by doing it yourself?

 

Maybe with a tutorial I could do it. Never busted into this engine and wasn't ever planning on it. I'm hoping someone chimes in with experience buying or selling a truck "as is" which is my preferred choice.

 

@68dave

 

If you was closer I would buy it as is. I buy all my yotas as projects.

 

I'm leaning towards as is, as long as I can get what I need out of it. Do you have an idea of where I should start with pricing?

 

You could loosen the pan bolts just a bit where the leak is, spray it with cleaner and add RTV.

 

Heading to the self serve car wash with degreaser and going to use low pressure to clean oil off.

 

Hadn't though of that. My only concern would be causing it to leak even more in the process, but maybe a "patch" to get it sold is in order.

 

You have decided the truck is going .

just sell it as is!!

Tell them it just started .

You dive into this where are you going to stop ??

No quickie repair job ever goes good for me.

Best of luck

 

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I agree 100% with that -let her go--after you clean and detail it good! that will make a difference, believe me-

glenn

 

Small oil leak in an old Toyota? Sounds like its on it's last legs and basically write-off. I'll do you a favour and come by and take it off your hands.

In all seriousness, a good cleaning of the engine bay to sort out where it's coming from should be your first step. Not only will you know what you're dealing with, a clean engine bay will help the resale. No sense in throwing parts [and time] at it until you know for certain. Might be as simple as snugging up a few oil pan bolts.

 

If it runs & drives and has a solid undercarriage and the only mechanical defect is the oil leak i wouldn't sell it no less than $2200. Last April i bought this good running & driving 2004 TRD 4x4 with 2 rusted areas on the frame (easy fix) & 475k miles from a fellow TW member for $600. And 3 years ago i bought my first 04 TRD 4x4 with only 147k miles & rock solid for $500 with a seized 3.4 due to a neglected oil leak. But yours isn't as much as a project as mine were. I would list yours on CL with good pics and a honest descripition for $2500 obo as is, it will sell fast.

 

Thanks everyone. Washed it up good, cleaned off area of engine where there was oil, turns out very small slow deep from the oil pan gasket. Truck looks good, I took a bunch of photos, posting to Craigslist tonight. I appreciate the feedback. It's difficult pricing a 1st gen Tacoma because they seem to have such high resale even when they are falling apart.

 

Always price it high. You can come down if needed, but you can't go up.

 

Could you post a link to your ad? How's the frame?

Thank you!

 

Will be posting soon. I'll definitely put a link here and also in buy/sell.

Frame is in great shape. Little surface rust near engine and rear bumper, but no holes and 95% factory paint remains. Remnants of the factory sticker exist too.

 

Link to Craigslist Ad:

https://ithaca.craigslist.org/cto/6076172792.html

Put it up last night, already received a serious offer.