Rebuild my engine or buy used engine?

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Hey gents

After changing all cooling system. The coolant still got decreased after less than 12 hours. It is more like blown head gasket. My car run 390,000km. I'm confused now

1- change the head gasket but I'm bit worried about the high mileage
2- rebuild all engine. Which can be costly plus can't find good shop to rebuild it yet
3- many shop offer rebuild engine from Japan which cost $2000 with exchange. Warranty for 2 weeks

What do you think gents?

[Guest Close Guest]

Have you had a proper leak down test done to see what is causing the coolant loss yet?

Lot easier than deciding what to replace because you don't yet know what's causing the issue.

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Omg I can't believe it. After spending all that money. It is look like it is the fan clutches. I went to good mechanic and he told me it is the fan clutches. I did a trick and it works. Everytime the car got overheating on idle i put the tranny on nautral then I press the throttle up to +2000rpm and guess what? The temperature gauge went down to 1/4!!!! The car still loss some coolant. I will do the test again and gain today and if it still works I will change the fan clutches tomorrow.

[Guest Close Guest]

You still need to diagnose where the coolant is going.

Put a new fan on it. Have a decent mechanic do a leak down test.

[turtlewa Member Find all posts View Profile Close turtlewa]

Nulon have a new Head Repair Product about $60

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Changed the fan clutch but still same issue
The new mechanic don't think it is blown head gasket

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

You still need to diagnose where the coolant is going.

Put a new fan on it. Have a decent mechanic do a leak down test.

leak down test for the engine?

[Guest Close Guest]

Any mechanic will know what it is.
They put compressed air into the engine to see where it leaks. Will show if it's head gasket, rings, cracked head, valves. Etc.

Did you use a new fan clutch or a second hand one?

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Any mechanic will know what it is.
They put compressed air into the engine to see where it leaks. Will show if it's head gasket, rings, cracked head, valves. Etc.

Did you use a new fan clutch or a second hand one?

Brand new oem clutch!
I will ask him for leak down test.

[Hobes Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobes]

Leak down test spot on but I guess you have iridium or some such spark plugs but you still should be able to see if one or more is discoloured or has more surface rust than the others, this used to be one of the first steps when cars had carburettors and points to indicate something amiss.

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

The old mechanic found a leak from the heater. He told me that the heater need to be change it or he could simply block the hoses to heater to avoid the leak. Do you think there is kind for cooling circuit go via the heater? Should I change it to fix the problem?
Almost a month now ( ran 100km daily ) and no mechanic think it is blown head gasket plus no signs on that.

The temp now 60C in the morning and 40-45C at midnight

I think I need to change the heater

What do you think?

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Finally found the coolant leakage
It is leak from the heater

[fatboydave Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fatboydave]

Much better than head gasket leak.

[Prado2005Q8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado2005Q8]

Much better than head gasket leak.

Let's hope not both
The heater plus labor will cost $600