Topic: 90 TOYOTA 4Runner Problems

[Electro]

Having engine trouble with my Toyota 4-runner. I havent got full diagnosis yet from Toyota Dealer Service Centre.
-4 cyl, 22RE Engine Overheating - appears exhaust running into Coolant system (?) and mech having trouble removing bolts to lift the head off to check out.  
Anyone have engine trouble with their 4-runner and if so what kind of cost is involved (broke right now).  
-Also, to make matters worse my back window wont open or close anymore! Not from front button or with key in back - therefore cannot open back door! Any suggestions on the fault?

Thanks!

[articsteve]

Sounds like you have a head gasket crack or two.  There is a product that I have had major success with.  Called "Irontite".  Found at autoparts stores.  CarQuest is one of them. Look for all white bottle.  Sells for about 18 bucks.  Pour in coolant and let run a few minutes.  Pinch off hoses going to heater core first.  Make sure all head bolts are torqued back in.

Over heating could be bad thermostat of plugged rad.

Check fuse for rear window.  Then remove rear cover in tailgate and check for power.  Check all switches.  There will a plunger type kill switch in there.  One that prevents the power to the window motor when the tailgate is open.  Get in there and see what you can find.

[Electro]

Hi again,

Just found out from Toyota Mech that i will need to fix up top half of the engine.  
-New Head Gasket+Kit
-Belts
-6 hoses
-Gas Filter
-Therm
-Sparks (even though recent tune says they're ok)
-gears
-Timing Chain
-flush out the rad

(they said appears bottom of the 4Cyl engine incl valves etc ok)

They say the rad may need replacing in 6 mnths or so...

Quoted job incl Taxes and Labour=$2600 (ouch! B4 Xmas especially) ($1900 is parts the rest labour)
-3 days approx to fix-

Anyone know if this seems like a standard price for this type of job? Thanks.

[safristi]

Ya just asked Santa Baby...the Easter bunny is 3 months away...can you say OVERTIME.....get another dealer to quote (or two) and compare..we ain't seen the POS.....!!!! your profile says you have a 94 Exploder? what's Toyota gotta do wif it?

[Electro]

Forgot to change the profile. When i first joined i was thinking of buying a 94 Ford Explorer LTD - but had too much rust and bodywork.

I purchased a Toyota instead, because more reliable - didnt expect this stuff to happen.  

I'm checkin with other Auto places too...toyota have the bloody engine half apart and want the ok to go ahead. So for me to say put it back together (while they chrge $82 hr labour) and take to another place it may be a nightmare/they got me good!  

I wish i got the Exploder after all this!!!

[johngenx]

Youch!  $2600 for a head gasket and some other minor bits?  Suddenly MB parts seem inexpensive.

[barrie1]

That seems a way bit high to me as well. I would have them fix the head gasket and put the engine back together, tow it out and do the rest yourself or have it done elsewhere much cheaper. Even with the towing cost it will be cheaper to do at a small garage.

[articsteve]

Should have used "Irontite" first.  $18.

Timing gear and chain kit and Head gasket kit are 300 bucks total.  Rest of the parts 200 bucks tops depending on what the other 4 hoses are for.

So parts are 500 bucks.  To a dude that has done that motor before then I'd say 10 hours tops because the chain and gear are coming off anyway.

I would have gone the 18 dollar route or did I mention that aready?

[maritime_storm]

I didn't read this thread until tonight but, I think what he tried to say was he needs a head, if so the quoted rate wouldn't be that far out of line. Exhaust in coolant sounded to me like a cracked head near a water jacket. Check for used engine, may be a cheaper route to go. Is the truck in good enough shape to justify this kind of money?

[johngenx]

I don't think a new head is in that $2600 price.  Toyota engine parts are pricey, and the long block for that truck is about $4-5K.  A new head would probably be at least $2K.  If it includes a rebuilt head, or repairing the existing head, maybe the price is close.

I would look for a used engine.  That four banger was pretty common and he should be able to find a decent one.  The labour would be about the same to just swap the engine.

[articsteve]

No, I think the post is pretty clear.  The dude has a breach in his head gasket which is not uncommon for a 14 year old motor. He has coolant in exhaust.  The 4 runner and pickup V6s were real famous for bad head gaskets.

He is just paying dealer labour.  He is paying book time for replacing the head gasket. Book time on a chain and sprocket set which is part of the head gasket repair, but is probably getting bill as if done seperately.  Flushing rad and replacing thermo plus 6 hoses and spark plugs, etc. all run the Dealer rate up fast.  Add PST/GST and bingo

Did I mention the $18.00 method?  

[johngenx]

$2600 for a head gasket and timing chain (and some other bits) is way, way too much.  Heck, on a Mercedes 3.0L six, that job is about $1200.  Including rebuilding the head, you're still around $2K.

There are lots of indie Toyota mechanics kicking around.  I'd get some more opinions.

[jeeper]

Toyota parts are very expensive, but i think $2.6K for the work u suggested is a bit high, go out and ask for more quotes and opinions.

[articsteve]

Actually the timing gear set and the head gasket kit are about $150. each which is OK.  Lots of pieces in both. Could be double at DEALER.

He's getting all new belts, hoses, rad flush, plugs, fuel filter, thermostat so that would normally be $400 at a DEALER.

When you get in the range of paying 100 bucks an hour (tax in) for labour then it adds up fast.

Deal is that you can't take old vehicles to DEALERS.  You must ferrit around and find an independant tech willing to work for 50 bucks tops, better yet 35 CASH.

Or try IRONTITE first.  Did I mention that already?

(Message edited by articsteve on December 08, 2004)

[barrie1]

I have to agree with Artic on this issue as I have always felt the Money is better in your Pocket. Dealers have high overheads and some of them may be Nice People but I'll still use the Garage on the Corner who owns the Property. He's the little guy and can't leave as he is too busy. He's always a lot cheaper per hour and on his parts as well.  I give you a 5 Artic for that.

[Roadrunner]

One(?) problem with getting a used motor (for anything) is, you don't have any history on it. It may run for a month then calve on you. There's no warranty of any kind.
If he feels the vehicle is worth spending money on then get a rebuilt (with a warranty) and at least you start fresh. Yeah, I know it's more money than he (or any of us) are willing to spend on a 14 yr old vehicle.
Personally, I'd do like Artic and Barrie said and then dump it for something a lot newer. Vehicles that old are pretty much finito by now.
I have a saying I stick to. If it costs as much to keep it on the road as the thing is worth? it's time to get rid of it.
BUT, that's only my 2 cents.

[HeliDriver]

Hey Roadrunner, this is way off-topic, but I'm curious about your use of the term calve. I've heard it a few times in the last little while, and would really like to know about its origin.

I can't imagine what a dying engine has to do with a cow giving birth. I suppose that a chunk breaking off a glacier is somewhat similar to the death of an engine, but somehow I suspect that the term has more colourful roots. Any insight you might have would be appreciated.

[safristi]

MOOt point. a GOOGLE DO!!!!??

[ovr50]

I hate to be presumptuous (well, really I don't hate it that much), but I suspect Roadr meant "cave" but then again, knowing Roadr, maybe he did mean calve, in which case I don't follow it either. It is the "season" for imbibing and methinks Roadr may have been in the sauce?? He wishes !! . Then again, for one more times sake, maybe I've been in the sauce.... Don't drink and post !!

[safristi]

Shoot!!! now we'all gotta lewk up "Persumtitious"..damn an holler Maw ya got a Funk & Wagnall's ...or is it still inna Shop?