Rebuidling the head - Price Check?

[jvitzu]

So it appears the head on my '00 GT-S needs to be rebuilt, and I believe it. Four months ago I accidentally gave it two tanks of regular, all the while driving the hell out of it. Since then its been making some pretty bad noises and performing poorly (at this point, it will stall if I start it cold with the A/C on). I tried some gas and oil additives, but it didnt change anything. I found out a month ago that it's compression was well below normal.

Anyways, where I live theres just one toyota dealership (although a nice one), and no toyota specialist shops. I figured it was just a matter of replacing a few valve springs, but it turns out it needs new rockers and valve sleeves as well (had the dealership take off the head). My quote for everything - new gaskets, valves springs, rockers, sleeves, labor and tax comes to $2200.

Is this reasonable? This is a little more than a months salary for me and I want to be sure I'm not getting reamed more than I can expect.

Also, is there anything else I should have done while the head is off? Not that I want to spend more money than I have to, but i figure a port job isnt a bad idea if its just going to be around $25 bucks at a machine shop.

[lamboceliGTS]

I would find a used 2zz and just swap it out.

[Smaay]

Holy crap man, if someone told you this they LIED to you!!!! first off, gas will have no effect on the head. low compression might be caused by slightly bent exhaust valves. but you wont know that untill you get in there. Unless there is damage, you DONT need new cams, rockers, springs, and there are no sleeves in the head. they probably ment valve guides, and unless you seriously bent a valve, they are fine... that is a crooked dealership. if they pulled the head go there and take a ton of pictures and show them to me. cause i get the feeling they are ripping you off!!!!!!!!!

[jvitzu]

Found this rebuilt engine on ebaymotors.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rebuilt-Toyota-2ZZ-Motor-Corolla-MR2-Celica-Lotus-Elise_W0QQitemZ320283855437QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m320283855437&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&timeout=1218564450970

Im not convinced that having the engine replaced is a more practical option, considering the value it adds to the vehicle.

[dave80jc]

When he says valve sleeves, he might mean new stem seals.

Anyway, I would take the head to a machine shop and have them look it over. It doesn't have to be a place that specializes in Toyotas or anything. A good machine shop will be able to look it over and tell you what you really need. On the heads that I have had redone (over 10 GT-S heads), I've never had to spend more than $300-$400 for the machine work, new stem seals, and replacing some bent valves. The only time that I ever had to replace rocker arms was when I got a used head and the dude let it sit outside and they were all rusty.

If it were me and I knew that there was a compression problem and I already had the head off, I would put a set of rings in and probably replace the rod bearings while you are at it. The only reason that I'm suggesting this is that while it would take maybe an extra half hour to hour of labor and cost about $120, since you already have the head off its pretty easy to do now and it should make the car run better anyway.

[silentchaos]

no way. i had the head on my 4.2L I6 out of my jeep done for about 130$ that included new valve seals (not guides) i had them do a 3 angle valve job and replace the springs. they are ripping you off. oh btw i took the head off my self. removing and installing a head on a DOHC engine is gonna cost some labor.

[Zenith]

I recently had my head stripped, cleaned, inspected, reassembled, clearances checked, and lathed for $415. 8 exhaust valves and 2 intake valves, new seals and misc other parts for reasembly cost another $540. That was taking the head off and putting it back on myself though.