Just got a Montero and need engine advice

[nikosan]

Hello All
My 99 Montero limited with 180k miles is puffing white smoke. It does not smoke on cold start ups and no billows of smoke looking from the rear view mirror. The truck runs well so far though. I just drove to SoCal and on the Grapevine I had to disengage the O/D button so it can climb that mountain easily. So I got an estimate of $2700 for an installed used engine with a 6 months warranty, $2200 for a valve job or $4200 for a complete rebuild. Should I just keep on driving the truck, keep on adding oil until it dies and have a rebuild done? How many additional miles will the valve job give me?previous owner said that timing belt was replaced at 120k miles but no paperwork to verify that. It will probably cost me at least $1200 to have the timing belt, water pump, seals and belts replaced just to continue driving it. Any advice will be gladly appreciated. Oh and I love this truck!

 

[scrubber3]

It's been at least 60000 miles since the last timing belt was done. Id say get the timing belt and stuff that goes with it done at the very least. You could have a head gasket leaking, so get that checked. Mine smokes just a bit too, but I still drive it and add oil as needed.

 

[off-roader]

Head gasket would usually also mean overheating and potentially the mixing of oil/water. I'd check for evidence of the above first.

The smoke may also be bad rings.

I'd rebuild it if you can afford it. Usually more $$ than a used engine swap.

 

[spallet]

change the valve guide seals..