Head Gasket Worries

[csnowtn]

This is my first post. I'm getting ready to buy a 97 LC with 130k miles. However, after the test drive at the dealership I noticed coolant leaking from the engine and found out the next day that it was a cracked HG. Fortunately the dealer is willing to fix it but it worries me somewhat that it may have done further damage that they aren't likely to tell me about (at this point they are eager to get it off their lot, I'm sure). Based on reading many of the posts regarding bad HG's it seems like a good thing to have it replaced so i'm trying to figure out if I should buy the LC with a replaced HG (and feel comforted knowing its been done) or keep looking for something else with no known problems (but, then again, any other LC could have the HG go out two miles after I drive off the dealer lot). Oh, and the dealer is offering a 12 month warranty on the HG repair which also helps. Does this seem like a smart move or should I just keep searching? Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I go spend $10k.

 

[KliersLC]

Generally the external HG failures don't cause a big problem as far as internal damage. I'd take it.

Dan

 

[IdahoDoug]

Ditto. Toyota dealership?

DougM

 

[MLX450]

Offer 9K with the HG repair. Also ask about a warantee for the HG (in writing). While doing the HG, replace PHH, all the hoses near and behind the firewall, replace fuel filter and have them clean the TB (throttle body).

 

[cruiserman]

Sounds reasonable to me, but they better take care of the radiator at the same time.

 

[csnowtn]

The dealership where the LC was for sale was a GM dealership. However, they have a sister Toyota dealership down the street so they took it there to be serviced (thankfully). So, I trust that the work being done is going to be toyota quality. But, the downside is that I doubt they will pitch in any more $$ to do the additional work since they are already out at least $1000 or more on the HG repair. So, that means no "PHH, all the hoses near and behind the firewall, replace fuel filter and have them clean the TB (throttle body)" or radiator. And, I've already tried getting them down on price considering the mechanical "uncertanties" and they won't budge. I assume the have put too much in it to fix it. $10,500 is as low as they will go. But, it does have a 12mo unlimited mileage warranty on the HG repair work. Not sure what the exactly includes (like if the head is warped will they replace the head?) One more question for you guys - assuming I bought it and immediately took it to my mechanic for a thorough inspection and pressure test, would they (the mechanic) be able to tell if further damage had been caused by the HG? If so, the dealer I'm working with has offered a 3 day return policy. But, again, I'm just wondering if they will will really be able to tell if further damage was done without taking the head off.

 

[DTAYLOR]

My guess is that thereis little damage to the guts if it drove ok when you test drove it. It would not be out of line to ask for a compression test after the work is done. About the only way to tell for sure about the bottom end is to open it up, and I can tell you from experience it is NOT likely there was any damage. I am overhauling mine right now with 225k, and I see very little wear. The upper end could likely use a throttle body cleaning to clear out the EGR ports that are usually stopped up by that milage.

Good Luck!

 

[csnowtn]

Thanks. It did drive great when we test drove it. We were literally getting ready to make them an offer when I noticed the fluid start dripping. Glad we were on concrete and not asphalt or I may not have seen it or have thought it was water from the A/C! I'll check on having Toyota do the compression test.

So, let me rephrase my original question - do you any of you think that this was a "good" thing to happen before buying considering its so likely to happen to any LC in that mileage range? Part of me wants to walk away from a vehicle that's already having mechanical problems before it leaves the dealer lot but part of me thinks "great, I'm getting an LC with a new HG - don't have to worry about that anymore". Is this a good way to look at it?

 

[ace10]

walk. you don't know if that was a severe overheat situation or what.

$0.02

 

[cruiserman]

Or low ball them and buy it as is. Have it fixed on your dime.

 

[csnowtn]

Thanks for the input from everyone. Going to look at a LX450 tonight that's only got 110k. Might be a better route.

 

[Beowulf]

My only question is does it have F&R factory diff locks?



-B-

 

[csnowtn]

The LC with the bad HG has diff locks but I don't think the LX450 does. This is a wife-mobile so I'm not as concerned about locks as you guys probably are. Would be nice to have the option though...

 

[Grouseman]

CS,

Get the Cruiser with the new hg. You will have lockers if you ever need them. I have not heard of any hg failures after the original was replaced. The hg materials have been improved. Just my humble opinion.

Gman

 

[csnowtn]

Thanks Gman. I tend to lean towards your humble opinion and want to go with the LC but I can't ignore Ace10's advice about how severe the overheat situation could have been. Which leads me back to where I started but, hey, I'm all the more knowledgable about it than when I started. So, thanks to all.

And, if anyone is interested, here's the two i'm looking at:

 

[rgsiii]

While they were doing the work, I would make sure the PHH was changed and would get the starter contacts changed.

 

[csnowtn]

Just talked to the Toyota technician. He actually eased my mind quite a bit because he says there are no signs that overheating caused the gasket to fail. They have the head at the machine shop now getting checked out. I suggested the other PM you guys have been telling me about while they have the head off. He was open to doing some of the additional replacements mentioned but said he would have to check with the sales person to see what he wanted him to include since it will cost more for the extra parts. I offered to pay it myself if the salesman won't include it. I'm expecting the salesman will call me and suggest he add the "extra" stuff into the sale price. We'll see.

 

[Beowulf]

The LC with the bad HG has diff locks ...

There's your answer. Get the LC with diff locks and tell the wife to use the rotary button every time she needs to pull into a tight parkaing spot at the mall. Tell her the guys on 'Mud said it was imperative that she use the switch.

In a few weeks she will be whining that the LC is "too hard to drive..." and then you can get her a minivan and you keep the 80 with diff-locks.



-B-

 

[landtank]

regardless of your intentions for the truck, you should buy the one with the diff locks. Becuse down the road if you wanted to sell the truck those things will bring you some extra money if marketed in the right area.

 

[csnowtn]

Anything else I should ask them to do to it before they put the head back on? Is this a good time to go ahead and replace the timing belt and all the other expensive PM issues?