Possible Hilux Surf purchase help

[gphill]

Hi - new to this forum

I'm currently looking at a 1994 Hilux Surf, 1kz turbo, auto transmission.
The truck is in good condition for its age and mileage, no visible leaks, auto shifts well, engine and trans serviced regularly.

What I'm worried about is that it has done just over 300,000km and I've read that many 1kz's around that mileage end up needing cylinder head replacements...how common really are head replacements?

I test drive it yesterday and before I took it for a drive I took the radiator cap off and revved the engine (cold engine) and the coolant in the radiator didn't move at all, would that be because the engine hasn't warmed up yet so coolant hasn't started to flow, or because the radiator is blocked or water pump isn't working?

I only had the cap off for about a minute and a half max and I'm beginning to think maybe I didn't let it idle/rev it for long enough?

thanks in advance

[Jerry]

Check viscous fan is tight and radiator fluid, heads last approx 250000k so assume you may need to do one when you purchase it, how often has the coolant been changed and the oil changes .... most toyota's that age like oil changes every 5000k, may just be a faulty thermostat as well ... it the coolant red green or clear / brown

[BlakeNZ]

you need to factor the head change into the purchase price.
ask yourself this, if the truck was $3K more expensive, with a new head on it, would you buy it?

[Smurf]

You get minimal water flow through the radiator when the engine is cold as the thermostat is closed.
Once driving you'd see very soon if the water pump wasn't working as the temperature would go up very quick and get very hot possibly overheat.
Preventative maintenance, cambelt, water pump, low temp hi flow thermostat, radiator flush, new antifreeze, new oil and filters, auto trans flush and filter change when you buy is a good start to keeping it in good order.
There are other things you can do to help

[gphill]

Cheers The coolant was green.

I'm currently trying to find out if the head has been replaced before, he is wanting 6.5k for it which I will be able to knock down a little, but if the head is going to need replacing I might need to look at other options....just a little worried that if i spend an extra couple grand on a surf that has already had its head done then I might not know if genuine or cheap chinese crap has been used to replace the original.

I took it for a decent drive (about 20km) and temp gauge was within normal range during the drive.

Everything else on the truck is near perfect, all the electrics (cruise control, sunroof, all electric windows including rear window) work as they should, it starts and idles well, engages and shifts through gears nice and smoothly....fingers crossed that the head has been replaced already.....if not ill have to decide whether or not I take the risk of buying it :/

Cheers

[mudsurfv6]

he is wanting 6.5k for it

looked at that and thought that's a bit steep for a kzn130 that's done 300ks & your ifee? about the head etc. but then looked on TM at similar surfs and hell the price of the diesels has gone up! you could spend more on one and then still have problems with the head.

receipts for any work done.

[Mattman]

Surfs are over priced imho!

[goldminer]

he is wanting 6.5k for it

hell the price of the diesels has gone up!

You can say that again! Prices have jumped up a bit in the last few years. I paid 6k for my 93 hilux (head done for what its worth)

Cheers, Tom.