Blown HG Symptoms

[fishrod]

I think I've become a victim of the dreaded HG problem though I am not 100% sure it is the issue.

Basically I was driving up to a ski hill and started to notice a loss in power and the engine starting to run a little rough. I checked the Temp gauge and it was in the red. I took it out of gear and rolled to a stop and switched it off. Let it cool down, and checked the Radiator. It was low on coolant (I had just topped it up about an hour before this happened) so I topped it up again. The radiator overflow was also 3/4 full when it usually sits at about 1/4. I checked the Oil, it seemed possibly low but was hard to tell as where I stopped was on a angle. I added a little oil to be sure but noticed that inside the top of the Oil Cap the oil was a milky colour. The oil on the dipstick was just the normal colour though

Once it was cooled off I started it up, it kicked over but was running really really rough and idling at low rpms. I had to almost keep the pedal down slightly to stop it from stalling.

Finally, white smoke was billowing out the exhaust.

Does this sound like a HG or could it be something more else.

 

[fourwd1]

White sweet smelling exhaust and loss of coolant usually mean HG. It doesn't always get into the oil (which is good, otherwise you can trash crank bearings, etc).
You could get the cooling system pressure tested to check.

 

[fishrod]

White sweet smelling exhaust and loss of coolant usually mean HG. It doesn't always get into the oil (which is good, otherwise you can trash crank bearings, etc).
You could get the cooling system pressure tested to check.

Yeah its sweet smelling. I was actually reading through some other older posts and looks like it may have been on its way out for a while. It smokes a bit when I first start it up from cold (especially outside) and had that sweet smell. Its also been losing small amounts of coolant for a while now. I had it pressure tested a few months back and they could only find a tiny leak they said were in some hoses somewhere up the back of the cooling system. Wanted 500 bucks to fix it. Since I was only putting in about 1 litre of coolant every 3-4 weeks I didnt bother.

Maybe replacing the HG will solve my small coolant leak? Fingers Crossed.

Also is it worth doing the timing belt or any other repairs while the HG is being replaced?

 

[fourwd1]

When you already have things apart, it's a good idea to replace other things like water pump, belts, etc. It might be $50-100 more for patrs, but it can save you from tearing things apart later.

 

[03vrod]

Some replace the knock sensor when they have it apart.I didn't because of the expense of the new component.I would pull the intake if it went bad.Check some other post for more info

 

[andyk5]

What are the signs of the HG on its way out?

 

[90toytruck.]

yep you wanna do the knock sensor while your in there !!!! did the heads on mine back in nov last year i should have changed the sensor but did not think it was bad here we are in jan got the ck engine light coming on checked the codes damn knock sensor here i go tearin it down again :rtfm: dad always taught me to do it right the first time guess i should have listen in this case !

 

[fishrod]

Ok, so INITIAL quotes for this job were 12-13 hours labour and the price of the part was close to 400 bucks (Canadian). Note I said Initial as most places are closed on a Sunday.

Sounded a bit much, I thought I heard that the part was only around 50-100 bucks but I could be wrong.

Its the V6.

 

[fourwd1]

and the price of the part was close to 400 bucks (Canadian).

for a gasket? you can get a whole new built head for that.

 

[fishrod]

for a gasket? you can get a whole new built head for that.

Yeah I just called one of the places that was open and it was $383 for the set which included the Exhaust Manifold Gasket and other parts.

Just the left and right Gaskets were 100 each.

Is it best to get the kit or just the Head Gasket if that is the only thing that is busted?

 

[90toytruck.]

i found a complete head gasket set with all the gaskets needed to do the heads, intake. plenum, valve seals everything for 175.00 the head gaskets themselves were triple layer very nice set and well worth the expense . gasket set timing belt and shipping 210.00 .

 

[1992yota]

You should call toyota (if you havent already dove into the motor) and see if your vin is on the head gasket campaign. I just got mine fixed a month ago. It doesnt matter if your the original owner, how many miles either. They ended up replacing my short block and redid the heads on mine for FREE!!!!!!

 

[fishrod]

Yeah it had the replacement done in 2000 already.

 

[tonetti]

I think I am in need of a headgasket at the moment, I am going to give Toyota a call tomorrow, with the VIN # I am reading conflicting stories on whether this recall is still going on or not, can anyone provide info on this?

 

[rustyrazor]

I'm almost positive that they will honor the original recall. I had my headgasket replaces 1 year ago.

You may also want to consider that Toyota will be booked solid for a long time fixing sticky gas pedals.

 

[Brand X]

American Gasket Company in dallas, tx has the cheapest gaskets anywhere. They make them all theirself. I'd look them up online and order from them. I have a nissan 300zx and everywhere I looked the gasket set was around 350. I found american gaskets and they had it for 112.