Would you buy an 80 with a previously blown headgasket? (1 Viewer)

[Shipwreck]

I looked at 1996 FZJ80 yesterday. 115,000 mi, lockers wouldn't engage, slightly cracked leather on all seats, oil clinging to tranny and oil pan, slight ooze from front knuckles and GREEN, uggh. When I asked the guy about the headgasket, he pulls out some old service records that reports a blown headgasket at 54,000 miles. Water in #6 cylinder. Repaired at the dealer under warranty. Resurfaced head and replaced gasket. No machining of block, honing of cylinders or ring inspection or replacement. No problems reported since then.
The owner was asking 13K. He was reluctant to negotiate. Blue book here in the Bay Area area is $11,700 although I rarely see any trucks listed for less than 14K. I passed on the truck without even making an offer.

So, do you think a truck with this history was worth making a low ball offer?
Or would you have passed on it completely as I did?

 

[jjbodean1970]

i think he's smoking crack

 

[Rookie2]

I would think a properly repaired HG would be a good thing, and not a deterant. The other items you mention are common, but costly to repair (front axle probably $1200 or so, pan arch or rear main probably another $1200 or so). Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to low ball a rig with a few problems, if you felt like the rig had generally been treated well. But it sounds like you are not the uneducated sucker this guy is looking for.


Rookie2

 

[robbie]

If you are interested I would have the compression checked and the truck looked over (prepurchase inspection) then make a choice with what that turns up. I agree with Rookie 2 that a properly repaired Head gasket would be a good thing. later robbie

 

[BOUNDER]

Hmmm...

I have a 96 and it doesn't sound ANYTHING like that one - even with 127k. My gut is to forget about it and find something cleaner and better cared for. Too much oozing, clinging, green, HG, and other stuff for my taste. If seller knows LC's and is willing to price lower, then consider. Good luck.

 

[sixsracing]

Compression test is always a good idea before a purchase, if a head gasket leak is a possibility you also want to do a coolant system pressure test as well as a cylinder leakdown test. I just paid $13,500.00 for a really clean 97 LX450 (106,000 miles) and I thought I paid too much. This guy is dreaming.

 

[semlin]

I think a truck that has had many miles after the h/g replacement is a fairly safe bet. I would do a compression test for sure and also do a very thorough road test. If after 60 k the enginee seems to be running fine and compression is in spec then it is likely no damage was done to the motor from the coolant water getting into the cylinder. that leaves you in a net gain situation relative to a truck that has the old h/g and is at risk of needing a new one at that mileage.

that said, $13k sounds like too much for the truck

 

[Mikesta]

offer him 7,500 for it in as is condition... Then you can play... personally, I wouldnt pay more.

 

[Area51]

Shipwreck,
I'd pass on this cruiser unless the seller is willing to drop the price. Last year I bought a '93
(109,000 miles) w/ lockers for $11,500 from a used car lot in San Leandro- and it just had a new
radiator installed.

 

[reffug]

i think he's smoking crack

DITTO!

 

[Gumby]

Sounds like a lot to me as well, but cruisers are a bit cheaper here in the midwest.

The only thing that would worry me about the head gasket was where it was leaking. Most cruisers seem to leak externally. If that was the case, then no problem if properly done. If improperly done, I don't know if would have lasted this long. If it leaked in to the crankcase, it would really depend on how long it was leaking before it was caught. Bearing damage would have almost certianly occurred if antifreeze was leaking into the oil.

 

[Shipwreck]

Yeah I thought he was smoking too. That's why I passed on it. The price was too high for all the little problems I found. I know I can find something better that I don't have to work on right away.

"I agree with Rookie 2 that a properly repaired Head gasket would be a good thing. later robbie"

This is the reason I asked this question. When I first found out about the head gasket, I thought it was a bad thing. But then I started thinking that it might not be, since the gasket has been replaced already. If the head was shaved flat and it was done properly, there shouldn't be long term ill effects to the engine. I passed on this truck because of price and all the other little issues, but if I run into this situation again on an otherwise clean vehicle I'll probably use it as a negotiating point and make an offer.

This 80 is still on craigslist in the Concord CA area. If any one was planning to look at it and wants some info before hand, feel free to PM me.

 

[chacoetaco]

I too think it is a good thing to have had the HG fixed. Mine went at 93K. Not a problem since, now at 105,000 on the odom. Many an 80 owner has had to deal with this.

 

[BOUNDER]

When I asked the guy about the headgasket, he pulls out some old service records that reports a blown headgasket at 54,000 miles.

Although it appears to be repaired correctly, me thinks a HG blown at 54k on a Land Cruiser is suspect aka a bad omen...Merecedes, BMW or even LEXUS would probably just give you a brand new vehicle to save themselves from public embarrassment.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Absolutely, I would rather buy a higher mileage truck that has already done the 2500 dollars fix then buying one that could go any day. My headgasket went at around 210k miles. cost 2500 to fix...im at 237k and the 1fz runs like a top..still has very good power and has no problems if i really need it to go.