2014 Head Gasket Replacement at 42K. (1 Viewer)

[RCCKY]

Hi All,

I apologize that I am a complete noob and probably not following proper etiquette because I am posting after only a couple of hours of searching, but I need help. I am in the midst of making an offer on a 2014 LX 570. For all intents and purposes I thought I had finally found what I have been searching for. 61K miles, 1 owner, near to my home and it seems to have always been maintained at the local dealership. After reviewing the carfax further, I found a line item that is concerning. At ~ 41k there is a head gasket replacement. I really have no earthly idea why this would have been done unless something was majorly wrong. I'm think overheating, coolant in oil and oil dilution etc etc. Is this a problem? Would everyone here steer clear or is this something that may have been done as preventative to a known issue that I am unaware of? I've been looking for months and this has been the best option so far unless its junk. Link to add is below.

Free VIN Check from CARFAX

Don’t settle for anything less than the genuine CARFAX Vehicle History Report when buying a used car. Carfax helps you avoid costly hidden problems and gain valuable insights into any car’s ownership history.

www.carfax.com

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

Hi All,

I apologize that I am a complete noob and probably not following proper etiquette because I am posting after only a couple of hours of searching, but I need help. I am in the midst of making an offer on a 2014 LX 570. For all intents and purposes I thought I had finally found what I have been searching for. 61K miles, 1 owner, near to my home and it seems to have always been maintained at the local dealership. After reviewing the carfax further, I found a line item that is concerning. At ~ 41k there is a head gasket replacement. I really have no earthly idea why this would have been done unless something was majorly wrong. I'm think overheating, coolant in oil and oil dilution etc etc. Is this a problem? Would everyone here steer clear or is this something that may have been done as preventative to a known issue that I am unaware of? I've been looking for months and this has been the best option so far unless its junk. Link to add is below.

Free VIN Check from CARFAX

Don’t settle for anything less than the genuine CARFAX Vehicle History Report when buying a used car. Carfax helps you avoid costly hidden problems and gain valuable insights into any car’s ownership history.

www.carfax.com

The Lexus service history says:

45,006 miles
Service: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON
Description: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WAS RUNNING ROUGH ~|~ ~|~45006 FOUND CODE P0308. MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #8. VEHICLE IS NOT MISSING AT THIS TIME. CLEARED CODE AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. NO CODES RESET. (SF)

45,249 miles
Service: MOVED PLUG AND COIL FROM #8 TO #6 / NO LONGER MISSING
Description: MOVED PLUG AND COIL FROM #8 TO #6 / NO LONGER MISSING ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON / RUNS ROUGH ~|~POOR CONNECTION ~|~45246 FOUND CODE P0308. MISFIRE ON CYLINDER EIGHT AT COLD START. MOVER IGNITION COIL FROM EIGHT TO SIX. MOVED SPARK PLUG FR

45,474 miles
Service: CYLINDER HEAD GASKET
Description: CYLINDER HEAD GASKET ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON / RUNS ROUGH ~|~DEFORMED GASKET ~|~45467 FOUND HEAD GASKET LEAKING COOLANT ONTO CYLINDER NUMBER EIGHT AND CAUSING A MISFIRE. REPLACED BANK TWO HEAD GASKET AND SPARK PLUG. (SF)

Another concern would be the service gap between 11,421 miles and 37,167 miles. Then again, I do my own maintenance so it only shows up on my Toyota service history and not a carfax.

*Edit: by the way, you can create a free account at Lexus Drivers and register the VIN to read all of this.

 

[TeCKis300]

IMO, steer clear. Unless you can acquire it for a price that sufficiently mitigates the potential cost risk. If a problem were to arise and the costs are sufficiently mitigated, there's still headache and time associated with resolving it.

That said, complete used replacement engines, long blocks, are easy and reasonably cheap to source. From Tundras and Sequoias. The task to swap an engine with the correct ancillary parts to the LX is not that hard, or as critical an operation for the typical mechanic.

I personally would trust a whole used motor replacement more than one that's been cracked open outside of the factory. One just has no idea of the particular technicians skills to know that it's been properly put together and will last for the long run.

 

[RCCKY]

@TeCKis300 and @Sac Cerevisiae thank you both for the information and input. I was on my way to buy it this morning and have decided to leave it. I would have loved to pick it up but I have had a very poor experience with cars in general over the last 10 years. I have been focusing on the LX and Land Cruiser because I thought they were stone cold reliable, but now I am questioning that as well.

Thanks again for the help despite my non existent history, and thank you to the Forum for being here and helping me not make another huge mistake.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

@TeCKis300 and @Sac Cerevisiae thank you both for the information and input. I was on my way to buy it this morning and have decided to leave it. I would have loved to pick it up but I have had a very poor experience with cars in general over the last 10 years. I have been focusing on the LX and Land Cruiser because I thought they were stone cold reliable, but now I am questioning that as well.

Thanks again for the help despite my non existent history, and thank you to the Forum for being here and helping me not make another huge mistake.

No worries, happy to help.

The Land Cruiser an LX are as close to bulletproof as you’l Get in a vehicle but nothing is without random issues.

Keep looking and you’ll find the right one. That head gasket issue It’s not common at all. There are only a few things that typically go wrong with the Land Cruiser and they are known and well documented and simple preventative maintenance helps.