Hi all I had to post something because I’m pretty dejected. I just paid $2000 to have a new ECU put into my KAJ 78. I’ve only had it back for a few weeks after being off the road for months yesterday driving home the temperature gauge was almost in the red so I pull over. I was close to home so I let it cool down and made it to home to find out there was no coolant hardly in the system. I filled it up and it seemed to be running OK but I think it’s still losing coolant. I did some research and now I think the cylinder head is cracked. Oh my God I had this thing imported and everything was great and now it looks like it’s going to cost me thousands. I’m not sure what to do with this.
Almost quitting
- Thread starter LivLandCruizer
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Thousands... thats it? 
These trucks are no joke for the wallet, i think you meant kZj 78, BTW
Heads are a wear and tear replacement item on these diesel trucks. Pretty standard.
Do it yourself is what you do, so instead of 10k its 5k, then enjoy it knowing the head is good. And do it alll when you do it, injectors, coolant lines thermostat water pump, fan clutch etc etc etc... its just bolts and fun tokens
Verify the head/headgasket is the issue
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance comes to mind here....
1-if you dont enjoy putting in as much time maintaining something as using it you shouldnt own it, OR
2-if you dont like doing maintenance then you need to be able to afford 3 of what you want to be able to afford 1
These trucks are no joke for the wallet, i think you meant kZj 78, BTW
Heads are a wear and tear replacement item on these diesel trucks. Pretty standard.
Do it yourself is what you do, so instead of 10k its 5k, then enjoy it knowing the head is good. And do it alll when you do it, injectors, coolant lines thermostat water pump, fan clutch etc etc etc... its just bolts and fun tokens
Verify the head/headgasket is the issue
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance comes to mind here....
1-if you dont enjoy putting in as much time maintaining something as using it you shouldnt own it, OR
2-if you dont like doing maintenance then you need to be able to afford 3 of what you want to be able to afford 1
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Welcome to the club! Unfortunately cylinder heads are a common failure on the Prado diesel engines. I took the expensive and labor intensive option and did an engine swap, but replacing a cylinder head and doing some upgrades and preventative maintenance at the same time is fairly straightforward DIY project and will make your rig a reliable vehicle.
I can certainly sympathize with the feeling of dejection, I discovered yesterday that the cams in my old Mercedes W116 have eaten themselves and the parts are NLA. Looks like it is time for a new engine...
I can certainly sympathize with the feeling of dejection, I discovered yesterday that the cams in my old Mercedes W116 have eaten themselves and the parts are NLA. Looks like it is time for a new engine...
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Sorry to hear your woes but even a little research prior to buying would have highlighted that the 1KZ is not a robust engine and is prone to cooling issues, and that the auto versions like to blow ECU capacitors. It's unlucky that you get hit by both together, but not unforseeable.
Either you find satisfaction in restoring the vehicle to original running order (and learn to do the work yourself to reduce the cost of a very expensive project), or cut your losses now.
Either you find satisfaction in restoring the vehicle to original running order (and learn to do the work yourself to reduce the cost of a very expensive project), or cut your losses now.