User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 12-15-2019, 08:59 PM #1
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
Do I have a bad head gasket?

So...I hope I’m wrong...

1997 4runner 3.4l, 212k

Just installed a 1st gen blower on it. I think my head gasket let go.

So before installing the blower, I drained the coolant and thought it smelled a bit like exhaust/fuel. It was filthy also which surprised me being I changed in 2yrs ago. Figured it was old rust buildup that was getting cleaned out. Finished the install of the blower, and after a few hundred miles I’ve developed a cylinder 2 misfire after it warms up. No misfire when cold. Also, coolant just disappears to the abyss. Half a gallon lost after a 20 mile drive. No overheating until the coolant is too low, don’t notice white smoke coming out the tailpipe and also don’t see any fluid buildup underneath or on the engine.

Also, when it’s running there is a steady stream of bubbles coming to the radiator when I have the cap off.

No oil mixes with coolant in either radiator or crankcase

Did my head gasket finally let go after the extra pressure from the blower?
mkzg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 11:06 PM #2
T4R2014's Avatar
T4R2014 T4R2014 is offline
Elite Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Shangrila
Posts: 5,037
T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold
T4R2014 T4R2014 is offline
Elite Member
T4R2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Shangrila
Posts: 5,037
T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold T4R2014 is a splendid one to behold
It was on its way out regardless.
T4R2014 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 12:11 AM #3
mtbtim's Avatar
mtbtim mtbtim is offline
Elite Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Jose, California
Age: 58
Posts: 5,264
Real Name: Tim
mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute
mtbtim mtbtim is offline
Elite Member
mtbtim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Jose, California
Age: 58
Posts: 5,264
Real Name: Tim
mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute mtbtim has a reputation beyond repute
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkzg View Post
Also, when it’s running there is a steady stream of bubbles coming to the radiator when I have the cap off.
Certainly the supercharger (not a blower) didn't help your engine limp along a little longer. But, your head gasket was going to go sometime soon most likely.

Your head gasket is toast. You have two choices, pull the heads, possibly having to replace one or both if they are cracked, and install new head gaskets. This is a very labor intensive job but it can be done.

Or, you grab another motor from somewhere and do an engine swap. I don't have experience doing a head gasket job, but I have assisted in pulling a motor and trans from one of these rigs and I pretty much think the motor swap would be the easier of the two. But, it could be a lot more expensive. It's it's just a bad head gasket and your heads are ok, you're just talking mostly labor to do the head gasket.
__________________
"My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it!"

Last edited by mtbtim; 12-16-2019 at 12:14 AM.
mtbtim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 03:30 AM #4
MarkBlack's Avatar
MarkBlack MarkBlack is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Orange County, California
Age: 30
Posts: 149
Real Name: 1997 4RUNNER
MarkBlack is on a distinguished road
MarkBlack MarkBlack is offline
Member
MarkBlack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Orange County, California
Age: 30
Posts: 149
Real Name: 1997 4RUNNER
MarkBlack is on a distinguished road
It sounds like its done, a trick I was taught is to,
Fill your radiator up completely with water and see if it produces air bubbles. My mechanic showed me this when my honda blew a head gasket.

Also my mechanic is located in garden grove. Hes about half the price of a shop if you want him to check it out let shoot me a PM. And i can get you his info.

Last edited by MarkBlack; 12-16-2019 at 03:32 AM.
MarkBlack is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 05:59 AM #5
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
It's most likely your HG. Could potentially be a cylinder wall crack too, so if you replace the HG inspect the cylinder walls of #2.

Cheap insurance is to grab some ARP headstuds or bolts vs OEM head bolts if ARP makes them, since youre boosting.

Last edited by Mackalicious; 12-16-2019 at 06:03 AM.
Mackalicious is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 06:35 AM #6
STI_MECE's Avatar
STI_MECE STI_MECE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Iowa Colony
Posts: 327
STI_MECE will become famous soon enough
STI_MECE STI_MECE is offline
Member
STI_MECE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Iowa Colony
Posts: 327
STI_MECE will become famous soon enough
Lol this sounds oddly familiar. I had the exact same problems you had except without the misfire.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
__________________
2000 SR5 4x2 Resto/Maintenance
STI_MECE is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 10:30 AM #7
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
I'm located in San Diego and if you have the space to pull the engine I'd gladly help you.
APhelps is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 11:15 AM #8
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
I started looking for replacement engines...I don’t really want to pull the heads.

I did fill it up with water and I get a constant stream of bubbles...

I have to find space to do the job. I don’t have off street parking in San Diego, so I’ll have to arrange a location I can pull it out. I’ve don’t motors on many other cars, so the job doesn’t scare me, just the space/location to do it is the challenge.
mkzg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 11:22 AM #9
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mackalicious View Post
It's most likely your HG. Could potentially be a cylinder wall crack too, so if you replace the HG inspect the cylinder walls of #2.

Cheap insurance is to grab some ARP headstuds or bolts vs OEM head bolts if ARP makes them, since youre boosting.


Is it worth putting arp studs on a replacement low mile engine? I’m not a fan of opening factory sealed engines


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mkzg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 11:47 AM #10
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkzg View Post
Is it worth putting arp studs on a replacement low mile engine? I’m not a fan of opening factory sealed engines


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I haven't boosted my 4runner but I don't think there's a problem with the head lifting from the block.
APhelps is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 11:57 AM #11
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkzg View Post
Is it worth putting arp studs on a replacement low mile engine? I’m not a fan of opening factory sealed engines


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah if you have the expendable income. It's only beneficial to do that. If it were me, i'd do some research and get a head gasket that's a touch thicker. Try to drop the compression by like a half a point and install the ARP bolts. studs are better if they are offered.

But unless you are really set on replacing the engine for other reasons than the leak, I would just put a new head gasket on and see if that fixes it. Though if you are paying a shop, you might as well just swap the engine for a fresher one instead of paying for a head gasket job on a high mileage engine and possibly finding its bad.

I wouldn't pay more than about $2500 for the engine and install from a shop, unless its a new engine.
Mackalicious is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 12:01 PM #12
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
Mackalicious Mackalicious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Mackalicious is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by APhelps View Post
I haven't boosted my 4runner but I don't think there's a problem with the head lifting from the block.
For the price, it's worth spending the money on better clamping force. unless its like $500 for a set. Also, not sure if the OEMs are torque to yield, if they are, thats another reason for the arp
Mackalicious is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 12:55 PM #13
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
mkzg mkzg is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 61
mkzg is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mackalicious View Post
For the price, it's worth spending the money on better clamping force. unless its like $500 for a set. Also, not sure if the OEMs are torque to yield, if they are, thats another reason for the arp


Arp studs are about $250 for the 5vz. I’m leaving towards a low miles engine swap instead of gasket replacement. I’ve got 212k on it, and boosted now too.

Would it be ok to buy the arp studs and put them in a 99+ motor, by swapping one stud/bolt at a time and not change the HG? The goal here is to have the updated HG from Toyota on a low mile motor.

From my research, looks like 99+ have MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets and pre 98 were composite?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mkzg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 01:07 PM #14
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mackalicious View Post
For the price, it's worth spending the money on better clamping force. unless its like $500 for a set. Also, not sure if the OEMs are torque to yield, if they are, thats another reason for the arp
If you aren't experiencing any issues with the head lifting you're just wasting your money. Plus a lot of studs require you to re-torque them after the fact.

Most people aren't running enough boost to justify them. People are more than welcome to spend their money to how they see fit but it's not an issue that I'm aware for most of the people who are S/Ced.
APhelps is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-16-2019, 01:09 PM #15
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
APhelps APhelps is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
APhelps has a spectacular aura about APhelps has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkzg View Post
Arp studs are about $250 for the 5vz. I’m leaving towards a low miles engine swap instead of gasket replacement. I’ve got 212k on it, and boosted now too.

Would it be ok to buy the arp studs and put them in a 99+ motor, by swapping one stud/bolt at a time and not change the HG? The goal here is to have the updated HG from Toyota on a low mile motor.

From my research, looks like 99+ have MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets and pre 98 were composite?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
From my understanding with MLS, it's pretty imperative to deck the block.

MLS Head Gaskets: There's More To It Than Just Bolting Them In Place
APhelps is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
blower , buildup , coolant , gasket , head

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2004 head gasket #6 (gasket treatments work?) ingrjc1 4th Gen T4Rs 7 12-01-2019 12:39 PM
Head gasket job diy? qx4runner 3rd gen T4Rs 19 09-13-2014 11:17 AM
Head gasket or? Jrdwgn Classic T4Rs 6 10-21-2013 02:09 PM
head gasket repair leads to piston through head theresa4586 3rd gen T4Rs 37 03-20-2013 01:20 AM
blown head gasket, then warped head, now new engine straightjacket 4th Gen T4Rs 42 05-12-2012 09:45 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:55 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020