Could it just be a Lemon?

[earthworms]

More of a philosophical discussion...

But I'm faced now with the decision to replace a cracked head on my L300. Haven't had a full inspection yet to see what the total damage is, but I've had numerous issues with this van since I purchased it 3 months ago and am not sure I want to rebuild it further. All the work has been done professionally, and I've driven it with care, but some friends recently took it out... the coolant system clogged and they cracked the head. It's on it's way back from Osoyoos for the smokin' deal of $350.

Anyway, let's say the head's toast. I could replace the head, heck, for all that it's worth I could swap the entire engine, but I'm still facing a complete electrical overhaul (previous owner was a putz) and a large amount of rust throughout. I bought myself into this club the poor man's way: get a beater, fix it up as the money comes. Question now is, could this vehicle be too far gone? How does anybody make this kind of decision?

I've looked through all the forums concerning head gaskets, etc... I see the work ahead of me, but with these other issues still looming (now in the even more distant future) I'm seriously considering parting the van out, waiting a year to rebuild some funds, then start all over. Any of this sound familiar?

Vultures, please stay away, the beast isn't dead yet; when it dies, I'm eating it myself.


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[thedjjack]

it comes down to the rust....

Is it structural rust or just some body rust?

If it is just body rust...fix it...you could also convert to gas as another option...

Cheers

[earthworms]

I've been assured that it's NOT structural. Have looked at the gas replacement as an option... but went with diesel hoping for a WVO conversion one day. However, it doesn't seem to be as readily available up here in Canada, nor do I have the space (living in Chinatown) to set up my own conversion.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards holding onto it, taking it off the road for the winter and chipping away at the work that needs to be done as I have time and money to deal with it. We'll see how I feel next week. Mostly burnt b/c it wasn't me who cracked it. Hard lesson to learn.

[thedjjack]

When you get it back drain all the oil and antifreeze and fill with new oil. And I try to start it with the no coolant for a minute and then oil the cylinders down...

swapping the head is an easy swap...4 cylinder is about as easy as it gets...take your time, number everything and you can do it yourself....make sure the cooling system 110%.

[earthworms]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Think I'll turn this situation into an opportunity for me to dive in and get my head around this engine. That's the good thing about breaking stuff, we get to learn how to fix it.

And so it goes... I've already nicknamed this van "Silver Lemonade". Guess I just need to add a lil' more sugar.

[konadog]

you could also convert to gas as another option...

I've heard that is quite an epic project, far beyond a simple swap...
Good to hear you're thinking about keeping your bus. A little sugar is what you need for sure :) And remember, it's a little motor pushing a heavy rig - drive easy and be selective about who you lend it to...

[Rattlenbang]

You might want to step back and take a breath and reconsider your options. The biggest concern I would have is that it doesn't seem to be a very well cared for vehicle from your description, with more issues than simply head. If a guy has a great van and the head blows I'm all there encouraging him or her to get their hands dirty and fix it themselves -saving a $5,000.00 repair bill. But if the truck is rough, and rusty, and has other issues, it simply might not be worth it. It's a big job. You might be far better off waiting for another one to show up, one that's a very nice rig but with a blown head. They go cheap.
The cost of a do it yourself repair is not inexpensive. At best you can source a replacement head with gasket kit from ebay UK for just over $600.00. But while you're in there you should be replacing the two idlers and timing belts. And you probably should replace the rad and water pump as well. There's oil and sealants and coolant. And 3 days of work, with some help. You could be into this for $1500.00 (probably more), and still have a rusty L300 with issues (besides the usual ones we all deal with). I personally would hate to have all that time and money into anything less than a really nice truck.

I picked up mine needing all these parts for $1500, and so ended up with a very nice well maintained van for around $3000.00.

If you are patient you could part your van out for the price of a nice van needing a new head. Maybe that's the one that deserves your efforts and money.

[earthworms]

Agreed, Rattlenbang, those are my very concerns as well. Didn't really think of picking up a better cared for van... I like the sounds of that. Either way, rushing into this decision is what got me in trouble in the first place so I'm backing off. The van's getting towed in this week, I'll park it and insure it and take my time figuring out the right solution. I have many other things to finish before my daughter and I head off to visit my mom in Borneo in a couple weeks. There's definitely enough on my plate, I'll be happy if I can get something back on the road by snow season, there's always winter camping! And who likes driving in the summer anyway?

[Yokohama]

My rule is: I don't do body rot. I will venture that if it is as rusty as you indicate, then there is more than you can see.

By the time you do major rot/rust repair and the engine, you could buy a better one. This is true because you are in Canada. If this was a USA spec version and you were in the USA; I would maybe say to go ahead and repair it because they are much harder to come by in the USA.