LX Head Gasket failure (1 Viewer)

[mojaveoverland]

Never did a compression test but drove it for another week and the heater stopped working which was enough for me to confirm HG failure along with the initial shop diagnosis.

Moved on to a 200 series. Enjoying the extra power but for me it leaves a lot to be desired vs the 100 series. I’ll likely go back at some point.

Here are a few cons of 200 series so far for anyone else considering the switch (some personal preference):

+ larger rims means less sidewall for stock tire replacement without spacers or some other modification
+ Center diff issues with not engaging or just intermittently flashing. It’s a known issue with no tested fix without replacement
+ I’m at 120k miles and it needed a new rear main seal and new struts among other items which is $$$$
+ lots of known coolant leak issues which doesn’t give me the same confidence in longevity that the 100 series did
+ reported issues with 4hi/low electric switch vs the 100 series manual stick
+ seats for me aren’t quite as comfortable and no armrest
+ cup holders are awful
+ not a fan of the electric opening rear tailgate. Just another expensive failure point in the future

The only pro personally so far is the extra power when towing.

 

[Batameez]

Sounds like an engine swap may have been a better value. A head gasket job on a 5.7 V8 will be a much tougher situation too. Hopefully you luck out and get many years out of it before crossing that bridge.

 

[OldManTanLX]

Some more info: I have had two mechanics look at my LX470 this last week. The first one is not convinced that I need a new engine - no check engine light, no misfire, smoke. The other mechanic has told me that there is coolant coming out of two of the plugs, and has already chattered about how costly a repair to the existing engine could be - he thinks I should take a serious look at a new used engine. For you all in the community here, what test(s) would be most helpful for you to know the results on? The new used engine estimated cost from mechanic #2 is coming in around ~$8k, whereas I am thinking if I caught this gasket leak early enough, maybe I am lucky enough to not need to get a new engine and can repair the driver's side gasket alone and call it a day.

Thanks for any insight you all can offer

 

[Batameez]

Some more info: I have had two mechanics look at my LX470 this last week. The first one is not convinced that I need a new engine - no check engine light, no misfire, smoke. The other mechanic has told me that there is coolant coming out of two of the plugs, and has already chattered about how costly a repair to the existing engine could be - he thinks I should take a serious look at a new used engine. For you all in the community here, what test(s) would be most helpful for you to know the results on? The new used engine estimated cost from mechanic #2 is coming in around ~$8k, whereas I am thinking if I caught this gasket leak early enough, maybe I am lucky enough to not need to get a new engine and can repair the driver's side gasket alone and call it a day.

Thanks for any insight you all can offer

Coolant out of what plugs? Freeze plugs? Has either mechanic done a leak down test to confirm exhaust gases in the system? Sounds like they're just comparing symptoms to what they've seen before. Try a used oil analysis to confirm coolant in the oil as well.