185k 2003 2wd..

so my story is that I originally noticed some coolant "leakage" from the upper radiator hose down my radiator. My overflow coolant level didn't drop so I didn't think much of it... fast forward to two weeks ago and I saw that the "leak" was a lot worse, so I try adjust the clamps of the hose with plans to replace the upper rad hose.

A couple days ago I replaced the upper rad hose and a lot of coolant was lost, after changing it - I filled the overflow tank as the levels decreased a bit.

Today during a cold start I heard the dreaded water trickle behind my steering wheel.... no rough idle or overheating today when I drove my hour long commute. When I get to work I notice my overflow tank is empty. No signs of leaking from the upper rad hose or anywhere else from a quick check. I ordered some Toyota 50/50 with anticipation I would have to use it, so I filled the overflow once again and wait until work is over.

I start my car to go home after work and hear the same water noise behind my steering wheel. Once I get home I see that the overflow coolant level has also decreased a little from where I filled it earlier in the day.

After much research, the first thing tomorrow morning Im going to try and burp my coolant system to get any air out

My questions is do you all think this water fall noise could be the result of a bad HG?? I had no problems with my car and no decrease in coolant until I replaced the upper rad hose.

I had something very similar happen and it was because I didn’t burp the system properly. My overflow tank kept losing coolant. it slowly stopped after it worked the air bubbles out itself. I would still try the best you can to burp the system Because air creates a lot of pressure in the cooling system.

The waterfall sound that's related to a bad head gasket is usually heard coming from behind the glove box not the steering wheel, so I think you most likely have trapped air in the cooling system.

Look up this video that was just posted on YouTube.
Food for thought...

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While I like his diagnosis process, I would have loved to see a follow up confirming the intake coolant leak by fixing the issue, because a bad head gasket could produce coolant in that cylinder so there would be the same results he came too with the coolant system pressure test.

Complete rubbish. How does coolant leak past the intake manifold when there are no coolant jackets in the intake manifold?

"It's 100% definitely not a head gasket". Well then, how does coolant get into cylinder? Either a blown head gasket, cracked head or block.

Could also be coming from the throttle body. Though I'd imagine it'd end up in multiple cylinders if that happened.

Exactly, it would be on all cylinders and not just #6.

Update:

I burped my system pretty well, there was so much air that it caused a lot of coolant to come out of my radiator cap when I first started my car. Ran the heater, revved up to 2.5-3k a few times and then let the car run to operating temp. I let it sit overnight and no more water sound or leaking coolant

He posted a follow up video, after being challenged.

Yes he did!

Basically admitting he was wrong, that's what happens when you try to diagnose an engine you're not familiar with and also dead set on proving the first diagnosis was wrong because they sold the lady a set of new spark plugs that may not have been needed so they just have to be wrong about it being a head gasket.

Here's a link to the video if anyone cares to watch it, I stopped watching around the halfway point of a 35 minute video because of him as in the first video being so very redundant that it drove me up the wall waiting on him to get to the point, either video could of been 10 minutes long or less and said the same thing.....but to no avail he just keeps repeating himself, and trying to explain why he was so right but also so wrong in his diagnosis!

YouTube

@AuSeeker
I was just about to post his follow up video,!!
Haha

Year: 2006
Production Date: Oct 2005
4x4
Mileage of failure: 185164
Cylinder # that leaked: 4

CEL came on, PO304. Swapped coils, no change in codes. Rough on start and sweet smell from exhaust. Had the dealer confirm leaking head gasket. Pulled both heads and had them re-built and machined. 0.002-0.003" warp on the driver side head.

Truck has been up and running for a couple weeks. No CEL or leaking coolant so appears to be fixed.

The dealer huh? Just out of curiosity how much did that run you? I'm debating whether it's worth taking to the dealer since I haven't been able to find a reliable toyota mechanic near me.

weekendwrencher,

Sorry to hear about your failed headgasket on your 06.

Mind if I ask how often the coolant changed prior to the failure?

I’ve changed my coolant in my 06 4 times now since I purchased it at 126k (built date of nov 2005) and have 196k with no issues at all.

Just got a second blackstone labs report back and everything is perfect with my engine.

Glad you got it fixed. How much did it run you?