Help Save My 4Runner!

[tokyohiker]

These are the words you never want to imagine on a diagnostic report:
*Recommend new engine*

Details:
1994 3VZ-E 4Runner; purchased Nov, 2004 for $3,900.
150,000 miles; "idled rough" when I bought it.
Changed drive belts, cap, rotor, wires, plugs immediately.
Compression check results: 140, 140, 140, 140, 140... *10*psi.
Poured oil into #6 hole and rechecked; no change. 10 psi.
Yanked the injector for #6, and changed the oil for my new V5 engine.
Took it to BrakeMax in Tucson to check valves.
They took my $70 and told me air was coming out of both valves...
AND air was leaking from #4 into #6...
AND there was oil in the radiator.
Took it to Toyota and they said the HG recall had already been done...
And it would cost $1,000 to *find out* if my block's cracked or not,
and how to proceed from there.

Any suggestions? Anyone know any trustworthy mechanics in Tucson?

Ted 1994 4Runner 3VZ-E Manual

[Brian R.]

Don't spend the money on investigations. Just do the head gasket on the bad head. Check the valves while the head is off.

[tokyohiker]

Thanks Brian,

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Just do the head gasket on the bad head.

I found a mechanic, and I'm going to do exactly what you said. He said I should do both gaskets together though. What do you think? His price is very reasonable.

When I put new HGs in, what are your thoughts about using Toyota parts? Essential? Not necessary?

[Brian R.]

Yes, get the Toyota gasket set. Unless the engine severly overheated because of the head gasket or something related, I say only do the bad one unless you can afford to spend some extra money. Then, it's not a bad idea. Odds are that only one gasket is bad.

Watch out for overheating immediately after the new head gasket has been installed. It is easy to install it backward and cause overheating.

[4Wheel]

You will find that the other head gasket at the front side of #1 cylinder is probably just as bad as the back side of #6.

Those are the two cylinders that have a propensity to scuff the gasket to the point of failure. My #1 had failed, once apart the #6 had also been compromised the same just didn't cause an outward problem.
The heads should be planed or at least measured for warpage.