Purchase?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 7
Strongly recommend you have a COMPETENT engine shop review any vehicle you are contemplating purchasing, even if it APPEARS otherwise perfect.
110,000 miles or so is NOTHING to a properly maintained vehicle - meaning regular fluid changes and driving in a non-abusive manner.
However, if the vehicle was operated with blown head gaskets, the obvious question is what OTHER maintainence items were ignored. And what kind of abuse did the vehicle incur that would mean trouble for you. BAD trouble.
For example, operating with blown head gaskets for any length of time COULD mean exhaust gases have eroded the mating surfaces of the head and engine block. It is not unheard of, for this phenomena to have so eroded the respective engine parts, that a complete engine change is necessary. After you have incurred that expense, you still have the question of what ELSE may have been abused, either by abusive handling, and/or lack of proper maintainence.
My personal recommendation is that it is always cheaper in the long run, to spend MORE money to buy a perfect vehicle, then try and return to service someone else's mistakes.
110,000 miles or so is NOTHING to a properly maintained vehicle - meaning regular fluid changes and driving in a non-abusive manner.
However, if the vehicle was operated with blown head gaskets, the obvious question is what OTHER maintainence items were ignored. And what kind of abuse did the vehicle incur that would mean trouble for you. BAD trouble.
For example, operating with blown head gaskets for any length of time COULD mean exhaust gases have eroded the mating surfaces of the head and engine block. It is not unheard of, for this phenomena to have so eroded the respective engine parts, that a complete engine change is necessary. After you have incurred that expense, you still have the question of what ELSE may have been abused, either by abusive handling, and/or lack of proper maintainence.
My personal recommendation is that it is always cheaper in the long run, to spend MORE money to buy a perfect vehicle, then try and return to service someone else's mistakes.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
I am not sure what head gasket replacements cost on these trucks but I did my 4-banger S10 head gaskets and was getting estimates in the range of $1,500 since it is so much labor. I ended up doing the work myself and it took me about a week of evenings. I also had about 100k miles on it and decided to replace the timing chain, water pump, do a valve job, resurface the head, etc while I was in there. I spent about $1500 doing it myself but I did alot more work than just replacing a gasket.
I too would be weary of it. If you are patient, there will be a "perfect" Ex come along without the mechanical issues.
I too would be weary of it. If you are patient, there will be a "perfect" Ex come along without the mechanical issues.
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