Purchase Question: Head Gasket was Replaced

[Ryno15]

Hi,

I’m looking at a 2016 LX570 that had the head gasket replaced. I called the Lexus dealership and they said that it had an oil leak at the head gasket.

I asked if there was an evidence of damage from overheating and the service manager said no.

Should I feel confident in this assessment? Or would you avoid this vehicle? Mileage is 120k.

 

[dudemancool1904]

if it was done at the dealer get the vin and punch it into the owners site to see the repair notes. might have some more info.

 

[Ryno15]

if it was done at the dealer get the vin and punch it into the owners site to see the repair notes. might have some more info.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[riffman12]

If it was done at the dealer I'm sure it was done properly and shouldn't cause you any headaches.

That being said, would I rather wait for one that hasn't had that done? Yeah probably.

 

[Sandroad]

Hi,

I’m looking at a 2016 LX570 that had the head gasket replaced. I called the Lexus dealership and they said that it had an oil leak at the head gasket.

I asked if there was an evidence of damage from overheating and the service manager said no.

Should I feel confident in this assessment? Or would you avoid this vehicle? Mileage is 120k.

Head gasket or valve cover gasket? Oil leaks at the head gasket are not reported on here, but valve cover gaskets, sure. So far on this forum, reported head gasket issues have resulted in an internal coolant leak into a cylinder.

 

[DallasTide]

If you believe the car care nut the head gasket boogyman is coming for us all. Might as well buy one that's been done already

 

[bicycleagent003]

If I felt that the head gasket repair notes on MyLexus.com were satisfying, I would go forward with the purchase as long as I was not compromising in another area (price/color/condition/mileage). Although the head gasket being replaced would register as a negative for me, it would not tip me to a no unless one of those areas was suboptimal. All other things being equal, I'd prefer a different vehicle at same price/mileage/condition/location that did not have that work done. So, for me, it would come down to how long I had been looking, how good this particular truck looks (price/mileage/condition/location) and how much longer I was willing to wait. I am a very patient person and I keep cars for 10+ years. That might not be the same for you. Just my two cents.

 

[Ryno15]

If I felt that the head gasket repair notes on MyLexus.com were satisfying, I would go forward with the purchase as long as I was not compromising in another area (price/color/condition/mileage). Although the head gasket being replaced would register as a negative for me, it would not tip me to a no unless one of those areas was suboptimal. All other things being equal, I'd prefer a different vehicle at same price/mileage/condition/location that did not have that work done. So, for me, it would come down to how long I had been looking, how good this particular truck looks (price/mileage/condition/location) and how much longer I was willing to wait. I am a very patient person and I keep cars for 10+ years. That might not be the same for you. Just my two cents.

I’m definitely not jumping on it and won’t be buying unless the price comes down.

 

[Ryno15]

Head gasket or valve cover gasket? Oil leaks at the head gasket are not reported on here, but valve cover gaskets, sure. So far on this forum, reported head gasket issues have resulted in an internal coolant leak into a cylinder.

I was also confused but the guy at Lexus said “oil leak at the head gasket”.

Maybe he misspoke. I’ll be checking the VIN once they sent it over.

 

[Ryno15]

 

[hickuptruck]

I would pass on this one if you plan on keeping it forever, or if the price is just average on it. My thought is that it overheated after running out of coolant from the valley plate, and then it warped the headgasket and heads. This means the engines been opened up before and heads machined. Who knows if it was just one head or both. Means the engine has been apart and I can;t say i trust all of lexus techs to be thorough with it. Unless its a screaming deal, Id get something else. I just looked at another one that had its headgasket recently replaced but it had 200k miles.

 

[Ryno15]

I would pass on this one if you plan on keeping it forever, or if the price is just average on it. My thought is that it overheated after running out of coolant from the valley plate, and then it warped the headgasket and heads. This means the engines been opened up before and heads machined. Who knows if it was just one head or both. Means the engine has been apart and I can;t say i trust all of lexus techs to be thorough with it. Unless its a screaming deal, Id get something else. I just looked at another one that had its headgasket recently replaced but it had 200k miles.

I agree. I’m going to keep looking.

 

[Sandroad]

Interesting. A lifter collapse seems like a broken valve spring. This engine had more than a oil leak!

 

[bicycleagent003]

Yeah that's a pass

 

[rkaminky]

I am in a similar situation to OP, and found one that has solid dealer service history but shows a head gasket replacement due to coolant leak into cylinder. Would this be a concern or glad to see head gasket replaced already at the dealer? See below from Lexus records.

 

[bloc]

I am in a similar situation to OP, and found one that has solid dealer service history but shows a head gasket replacement due to coolant leak into cylinder. Would this be a concern or glad to see head gasket replaced already at the dealer? See below from Lexus records.

View attachment 4041718

The dealer wouldn’t have done it if they couldn’t warranty the work.. which means the block and head must have been within spec for such a job.

It’s still a bit of an unknown. But at least the PO paid a dealer vs a shady mechanic to do the job..

 

[Sandroad]

I am in a similar situation to OP, and found one that has solid dealer service history but shows a head gasket replacement due to coolant leak into cylinder. Would this be a concern or glad to see head gasket replaced already at the dealer? See below from Lexus records.

View attachment 4041718

Another consideration is how long ago was the work. If it was just done and then immediately put up for sale, I would be a bit more concerned than if the repair had some years and miles on it.

 

[Fisher23]

The dealer wouldn’t have done it if they couldn’t warranty the work.. which means the block and head must have been within spec for such a job.

It’s still a bit of an unknown. But at least the PO paid a dealer vs a shady mechanic to do the job..

IMHO .. I've seen more shady dealers than independent mechanics.

Example my dealer oil change I asked if they lubed the drive shafts, and it was written down that they did, but when I went and looked at the dealer when picking it up the drive shaft and grease nipples were all dust. They had not done it. When I pointed it out the agreed they had not done it and then went and lubed them.
Now someone not mechanically inclined would not have even checked, so then you have a vehicle that says "this" but the "this" was not done or not done correctly.

After that I do my own oil changes and lube.

I have a lot of other examples..

Point is .. some dealers are shady and many independents are not.

 

[Ryno15]

I am in a similar situation to OP, and found one that has solid dealer service history but shows a head gasket replacement due to coolant leak into cylinder. Would this be a concern or glad to see head gasket replaced already at the dealer? See below from Lexus records.

View attachment 4041718

Where is this vehicle located?

 

[rkaminky]

Where is this vehicle located?

Florida