Here’s a very informative bit for some Tacoma owners and used Tacoma shoppers needing blown head gasket repairs on whether you are being scammed with a higher-than-expected cost for a repair and/or used engine replacement.
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The Importance of a 2nd Opinion
When it comes to repairs such as a diagnosed blown head gasket, it is not unreasonable for your gut to tighten with the news and imagine your savings dwindling away. However, a blown engine head gasket diagnosis is not always an automatic DEFCON 1 type of situation.
Related article: Avoid Getting Scammed with This Blown Head Gasket Tutorial for Non-Mechanics
Caught early enough and under the right conditions, that diagnosis and repair can be more affordable than you may have been led to believe from anecdotal opinions and views heard amongst your peers. But when it is not caught quickly and results in a rapid cascade of damaged parts, the cost of repairs can be expected to be high and necessitate an engine replacement.
Related article: Consumer Reports Mechanics Advise Avoiding These Models Known for Blowing a Gasket
In either case, it can pay off to seek a second diagnosis and opinion to discover if you are being scammed as well as understand what all of your options are and whether the first shop diagnosis and repair quoted is reasonable or not.
In other words, not all blown engine head gasket situations and repairs are the same due to some exceptions between vehicle models and the availability of parts or replacement engines.
Car Wizard Looks at an “Over the Top” Repair Option and Quote
That was the message in a recent Car Wizard YouTube Channel episode where the Car Wizard is hired for a second opinion on a 2013 Toyota Tacoma with an over-heating issue due to a blown head gasket. The first garage to diagnose the problem made the correct diagnosis, but then quoted a $9,000 repair bill involving replacing the original engine with---not a new or remanufactured engine---but a used engine salvaged from a who-knows-what-and-where history.
The Value of the Video
The value of this video is that it serves as a good warning to owners having their vehicles serviced or repaired in that it pays to have a second or even a third opinion done---even in cases in which the extent of the problem is obvious to you…or so you think.
Follow along with the host as he uncovers why the quoted repair is so high and why a used engine replacement option was presented over a new or remanufactured engine---especially at such a high cost.
Please note that you can begin the video at the 6:30 timepoint to skip over the overall vehicle condition and get to the meat of the vehicle and its problem.
Overheating '13 Toyota Tacoma. Last shop wants to replace something over the top? CAR WIZARD explains
And finally…
For additional articles related to car repair and maintenance, here are a few for your consideration:
• Toyota Tacoma Common Problems
• Toyota Tacoma Maintenance Check Warning
• No Panic Problem Common to This Toyota Engine
Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.
Image Source: Unsplash
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