Considering a 2015 but concerned about recent work on Carfax

My son is considering buying a 2015 Tundra tomorrow so need answers quick! Everything looks good on the Carfax but concerned about some work that was just done prior to the owner trading it in. Just wondering if this is a good thing or a bad thing that could mean future problems!

 

Looks like maybe a timing chain was replaced. I wouldn’t sweat it.

 

Really? I am looking at the head gasket and crankshaft? Why would that have to do with the timing chain? Sorry I am not a mechanic!

 

Misread that part as valve covers for some reason. I still wouldn’t sweat it. But I’m also the guy that never bothers to look at a carfax and just buys stuff and drives it and fixes it.

 

I would look for a different truck. Any vehicle that has had a head-gasket job needs extra scrutiny. And if it's a vehicle with less than 100k miles, then it's just a hard pass. Just my $.02. There's a plethora of similar mileage trucks available that have never had any major engine work done, find one of those.

 

I'd pass. Very few Tundras need this work. I spend a lot of time on these sites, the 2nd gen Tundras are very reliable, but I've seen none that needed this work.

The only thing I can think is someone got the radiator punctured, all the coolant drained out and they continued to drive it.

I buy wrecked tundras and rebuild them, so I'm not afraid of making repairs, but this concerns me.

 

Yea if he kept it for a few years and put a bunch of miles on the truck after the repairs it would be way less concerning. Getting rid of it immediately after the repairs screams something fishy.

 

If it’s a certified pre-owned with a 12,000 mile limited warranty would that cover anything that could be wrong?

 

Find one that hasn’t had the head pulled off.

 

Yea skip this one even with the CPO designation.

 

Could have had a bad valve spring replaced.

 

We called the shop that did the work and they said it was a factory issue??

 

Skip. Pay more up front, pay less in coming repairs.

 

Whatever used car you are thinking of buying, pay to have it professionally inspected. Can save you a bunch of headaches, yet many people forego it because the think it isn't worth the cost and/or get into too much of a rush.

 

Here's another vote for passing on this. For the same reasons previously mentioned.

 

This sounds like maybe cam tower leak repair? If that's the case, be glad that was fixed prior to taking ownership. But I would clarify that and not assume. Since the repairs were so recent, ask for the report from the shop that did the repairs. I would then research that shop to see if they are reputable and if they offer the new owner any warranty on the services performed. The fact that the dealer is willing and able to CPO the truck is a good sign.

 

I wouldn't put much stock in the CPO endorsement. I looked at a CPO truck (2020 Platinum listed for nearly 50k dollars), at the largest, highest volume Toyota dealer in AZ, when searching for my Tundra, and in 5 minutes a friend and I had found a laundry list of things needing addressed to include:

- Leaking oil pan drain plug (minor but pathetic to be overlooked).
- Torn tie rod end boots
- Torn ball joint boots
- Cracked CV axle boot (flinging grease already)
- Minor valve cover gasket leak

I'd buy private party, check Carfax, and pay for a pre-purchase inspection vs. buying from a dealership and paying sales tax and an overall significantly higher price for absolutely no return on that extra money spent.