Hi guys, long time lurker, first time poster here.

I've owned my beloved 96 4runner limited for just over 2 years and it has been very reliable and amazing fun to drive. Yesterday I started it up and got white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The last time I had a car do that it was not good news. Anyway, took it to my mechanic immediately and he suspects either a blown head gasket or (more likely) a cracked cylinder head. Apparently it's a common occurrence on these models? Told me not to drive it too much to avoid the engine seizing.

So my question is what is the best way to deal with this? I've gotten a couple of quotes for putting a used engine in it for about $2600. A rebuild would be more. Unfortunately I'm not set up to deal with this myself so I'm going to have to have someone else do the work.

Does anyone know anybody in the San Diego area that rebuilds or replaces Toyota engines? I like my regular mechanic but I'm not really in a position to afford almost 3k right now so any cheaper options would be awesome.

Thanks for any help!

 

What engine? On the 3.4, it more likely to be a blown HG than a cracked head unless it severely overheated at some point, IMO.

 

Yeah, it's the 3.4 motor. Sorry, should've clarified that. So it had a new head gasket when I bought it a couple of years ago and I haven't put that many miles on it. I wonder if it was just a poor HG job?

 

The 96 had HG issues indeed, they were fixed in the later years.

Best option is to get a 98+ 5vz, swap over all the external parts and then drop it in the truck.

Could do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined.

 

Thanks for the Reply, Texas. Is a 98+ motor a pretty direct swap? I am somewhat mechanically inclined but don't have the tools, space or knowhow to do something like an engine swap. I could try to source a motor and have it done at a shop or let a shop try to source one for me..

 

Had HG issues on my 96 had the stealer-ship fix the bad HG. 13 months later truck wouldn't start anymore, turns out the number 6 cylinder was gone. cylinder walls were toast and the head on that side was warped, no CEL no noises nothing just dead one day? Called the dealer and it was just out their warranty of 12 months. Dealer wanted 10,000 to install a new 3.4L. Ended up using a local company here in CO to get a brand new engine installed for way less then half. Rebuilt from a 99 this baby is gonna last forever now! Good luck man and stay away from the stealership for new motors.

 

The engine itself is the same far as I know when it comes to bolting it in, the external accessories/electronics will be a little different though. So you will want to transfer all your stuff over to the new engine.

Doesn't take much in the way of tools to do the swap. An engine lift that can be had from Harbor fright for ~$100 is the biggest thing.

An air compressor and some air tools makes it quicker but hand tools work just fine as well.

It is more about taking your time and making sure you do it right then tools.