$1500 for head gasket

[flyfl1pguy99]

Once again my head gasket is gone :rant: The last time I had it fixed cost me around $2k now its costing me another $1500 for head gasket. I noticed it last week when all of a sudden white thick smoke started to come out of my exhaust in the middle of the day when its hot. I figured it would go away and wala stayed the same for a couple of days. I knew that it was the head gasket so I took it in the shop and have em fix it. In you guys opinion once the gasket has been fixed how long again will this same problem occur? Seems like its only good for 2 yrs. I think ill drive it for another year and sell the 4runner. Its a nice runner but problems after problems is just too much for me. . .Oh, I also changed the brakes which cost around $350. sucks

 

[regularguy412]

Make sure the repair shop is using slipper plate style steel gaskets. They are supposed to be 'the item' that will solve this problem. My 92 had the headgaskets replaced under the recall notice when it had about 30,000 miles on the clock ( LONG before I owned it). I purchased my 4Runner over 2 years ago with approximately 145,000 miles showing and it now has 182,000 miles. The gaskets may blow tomorrow, but it does not seem to run hot and has good power.

I'd sure hate to see you get rid of it just because the shop didn't use the right style gasket.

Mike in AR

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

Should I just asked the shop what kind of gaskets will they be using? Or I should just tell them to use slipper plate style steel gaskets?

Make sure the repair shop is using slipper plate style steel gaskets. They are supposed to be 'the item' that will solve this problem. My 92 had the headgaskets replaced under the recall notice when it had about 30,000 miles on the clock ( LONG before I owned it). I purchased my 4Runner over 2 years ago with approximately 145,000 miles showing and it now has 182,000 miles. The gaskets may blow tomorrow, but it does not seem to run hot and has good power.

I'd sure hate to see you get rid of it just because the shop didn't use the right style gasket.

Mike in AR

 

[regularguy412]

Should I just asked the shop what kind of gaskets will they be using? Or I should just tell them to use slipper plate style steel gaskets?

TELL THEM. You are the owner and you are paying. The mechanics may not realize the issues regarding this particular engine and how important it is to use a specific style head gasket to help offset the heat generated around #5 and #6 cylinders due to exhaust manifold / crossover design.

Mike in AR

I assume this is a 3.0 V6 we are talking about.:arrow:

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

Yes its a 3.0L SOHC V-6. Ill make sure that ill tell them to use slipper plate style steel gaskets. How would I know that they will use those kind of gaskets?

TELL THEM. You are the owner and you are paying. The mechanics may not realize the issues regarding this particular engine and how important it is to use a specific style head gasket to help offset the heat generated around #5 and #6 cylinders due to exhaust manifold / crossover design.

Mike in AR

I assume this is a 3.0 V6 we are talking about.:arrow:

 

[regularguy412]

Yes its a 3.0L SOHC V-6. Ill make sure that ill tell them to use slipper plate style steel gaskets. How would I know that they will use those kind of gaskets?

I stole the following info from a post on another board. This should help.



Mike in AR[
COLOR=red]Their head gasket for the 3.0L is called Nitroseal, which is a perforated steel core with solid graphite facing and teflon coating, and is supposed to withstand burnout up to 1800 degrees F. This is a seriously high quality Head Gasket and should address all issues, while filling in irregularities on the sealing surfaces very well. Aw geez, I'm sorry, the salesman in me escaped momentarily.[/COLOR]

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

THANKS a lot Mike. You've been great. Ill make sure to tell my mechanic to use slipper plate style steel gaskets. Im pretty sure they will know what im talking about when I tell them that right? Or is there any other name for it like NITROSEAL?

I stole the following info from a post on another board. This should help.



Mike in AR[
COLOR=red]Their head gasket for the 3.0L is called Nitroseal, which is a perforated steel core with solid graphite facing and teflon coating, and is supposed to withstand burnout up to 1800 degrees F. This is a seriously high quality Head Gasket and should address all issues, while filling in irregularities on the sealing surfaces very well. Aw geez, I'm sorry, the salesman in me escaped momentarily.[/COLOR]

 

[regularguy412]

I believe Nitroseal is the trade name for this style gasket made by Victor Reinz. There is another maker of this style gasket, but the name escapes me. Your mechanic can always get this (correct) style gasket FROM Toyota parts. I believe that this is the style Toyota switched to after having so much trouble sealing the headgaskets on the 89 and later 3.0's. The early 3.0's were sealed with gaskets containing asbestos, but the gov't banned the use of asbestos about that time. Obviously, the gaskets Toyota switched to ( in the beginning ) didn't work.

Oh -- and you're welcome-- glad to help.

Mike in AR

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

Thanks MIKE. . Ill keep you posted. .

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

What do you say about FEL PRO head gaskets? I cant seem to find NITROSEAL?

 

[Quakefire]

RUN AWAY FROM FELPRO!!!!

They still use the original Toyota head gasket design, which is the whole reason there was a recall in the first place. Rock auto also makes a head gasket with a steel slipperplate. just though i'd let ya know

Check, your mechanic may be using old faulty felpro gaskets

 

[regularguy412]

RUN AWAY FROM FELPRO!!!!

They still use the original Toyota head gasket design, which is the whole reason there was a recall in the first place. Rock auto also makes a head gasket with a steel slipperplate. just though i'd let ya know

Check, your mechanic may be using old faulty felpro gaskets

That's right Quake. Rock was the other brand I couldn't remember.

Thanks for the info.

Mike in AR

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

Do you guys have any idea where I can find this Rock or NItroseal gasket? I talked to the mechanic and he says that he uses FELPRO. Is there any other brand i should ask for instead of FELPRO that he knows?

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

so mike all i need to get is the head gaskets right?> not the whole set. . I found one selling $62.78 for the right and $61.78 for the left. Sounds good you think?

 

[regularguy412]

so mike all i need to get is the head gaskets right?> not the whole set. . I found one selling $62.78 for the right and $61.78 for the left. Sounds good you think?

Honestly,, I've not priced HG , since mine were done LONG before I purchased my 4Runnner. I would think you could get just the gaskets, themselves.

More from another thread :

Radyota

Avoid the Felpro gaskets, they're junk. Assuming you have the 3vze 3.0 V6, do a search on it and you'll find everything you need to know. Use factory Toyota headgaskets, Victor Nitroseal head gaskets (found @ Car Quest or Checker? 1 of those 2) or get Enginebuilder's kit with his new head bolts. You have to replace the factory head bolts because they're one time use only!

Mike in AR

<<edit>> another source ->>
http://engnbldr.com/toyota3.0V-6.htm

 

[just66horns]

toyota parts are the best you will get.

Go to the dealer and buy the toyota part. YOu can be sure it is the best.... Others you will not have any idea. Your engine is blown now because the mechanic just put a gasket in. He didn't care what kind.

Do you still use the same mechanic?

$350 for pads only, you got raped. IF it included new rotors and drums and hardware and pads/shoes, you got a bargain.

What sucks is most people will pay $500 a month for a new car, but then bitch about $100/month to maintain an old one.

 

[flyfl1pguy99]

Re: toyota parts are the best you will get.

I agree with lol lol

What sucks is most people will pay $500 a month for a new car, but then bitch about $100/month to maintain an old one.