jkLX450

Where may I find this dvd?

I was just wondering... Did you decide to keep her? I ask because I am in the same dillema. I have a '97 LX450 with 170,000 miles. The head gasket blew, which apparently is a common issue, and my mechanic is telling me that after further investigation I need a new engine! I haven't been able to find an engine except through jasper and it comes with a healthy price tag, about $7000 to be exact. Then everyone is aware of the high hourly maintanence charges. Does anyone know where I may find a cheaper engine. Also, I may be looking for a new mechanic soon. Does anyone know of one near Knoxvlle, TN?

I've done all my own work since I bought the vehicle 5 years ago, so I haven't dealt with any mechanics in the area.

Who'd you take it to? Did the mechanic explain what he did to come to this conclusion? There is one Toyota shop in town (which shall remain nameless, but they're right off of Pellissippi Parkway) that I wouldn't trust to change an air filter. If you got your information from them, then you definitely need a second opinion. It's a pretty robust motor, and unless you ran it until it died, I would be suprized if the motor was beyond repair. Probably should take it to Toyota of Knoxville. They're high, but fairly trustworthy from what I've heard. I've helped another guy replace his head gasket. It's a big job, but if you've got decent mechanical inclination and some time, you could do it. A lot of folks have done this repair, so there's some good info available and actually a DVD a guy put together on the job, that makes it doable for blow joe knuckle buster.

Regards,

Rookie

Yes that would be great if you could give me his contact info. Thank you for your help.

Hello to all. I own a 1997 LX450 with 170,000 miles and just recently blew the head gasket, which apparently is a common issue. My mechanic just let me know that after further investigation I need a new engine. The only one he seems to be able to find is through jasper ($7000). Does anyone know where I may find an engine that doesn't cost so much? Also, I may be looking for a new mechanic soon so if anyone knows of one near Knoxville, TN please let me know. Thanks.

I bet Cruiserparts.net has some used 1FZ motors.

Also, I've got a name of a cruiser mechanic out west that may have a motor he has rebuilt that you could buy. This guy is top knotch and has an impeccable on these motors. If he has one that was rebuilt, it was done right. Let me know if you want contact info. to talk to him.

Hello to all. I own a 1997 LX450 with 170,000 miles and just recently blew the head gasket, which apparently is a common issue. My mechanic just let me know that after further investigation I need a new engine. The only one he seems to be able to find is through jasper ($7000). Does anyone know where I may find an engine that doesn't cost so much? Also, I may be looking for a new mechanic soon so if anyone knows of one near Knoxville, TN please let me know. Thanks.

I was just wondering... Did you decide to keep her? I ask because I am in the same dillema. I have a '97 LX450 with 170,000 miles. The head gasket blew, which apparently is a common issue, and my mechanic is telling me that after further investigation I need a new engine! I haven't been able to find an engine except through jasper and it comes with a healthy price tag, about $7000 to be exact. Then everyone is aware of the high hourly maintanence charges. Does anyone know where I may find a cheaper engine. Also, I may be looking for a new mechanic soon. Does anyone know of one near Knoxvlle, TN?

With the SUV market the way it is right now, you could look into replacing it with another cruiser or LX-450 for not a lot more than it would cost you to overhaul your motor. With 286,000, that's what you would want to do... overhaul, new rings, head gasket, timing chain. IIRC, these motors are designed to be bored up to two times. With an overhaul and the newer designed head gasket, you should be able to go another 300k miles no problem. You'd need to dig into it some to see what makes more sense dollar wise.

I don't know where you live, but there's a mechanic in Colorado named Robbie (I can get his info. if you want to talk to him). He used to work for Slee Off Road, but is doing his own thing now. He's got more rebuilds under his belt on this motor than probably anybody out there. Anyone I've ever seen that deals with him, raves about his work. He would be "the" guy to do the job, if you could get it to him.

BTW, there's a little test you can do to confirm the blown head gasket diagnosis by pulling the cap and tube on the radiator overflow reservoir. Leave the tube portion extended below the level of coolant in the overflow bottle, and hold the engine to 3000rpm. If you get a constant flow of bubbles coming out of the tube, then you've got a leaking head gasket. Also should be seeing white smoke coming out of the exhaust and be able to smell coolant in the exhaust.

Regards,

Rookie