Head Gasket Help

[49Runner]

So it looks like my head gasket is leaking... looking back it may have been since Summer.

Coolant ISN'T mixing with the oil, it is going out the exhaust and the temp is steady at just under 1/2. I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't checked the coolant in the radiator.

Truck is still running great so my thought was to keep an eye on temp and fluids and drive it while I put together parts list.

I already have a timing belt kit waiting to be installed so I am going to order a head gasket kit.

Is there anything else you folks can think I need or should be aware of? Do you have to machine the heads on these motors or as long as you haven't overheated the engine are you OK just to replace the gaskets?

Chime in... your help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[kball]

So, you think it's a head gasket because the coolant was low? You said in the other post that it runs rough for 20 seconds or so at start up. Is there a lot of smoke? Or if you're in a very cold climate I should say, does it smell sweet?

 

[simmonsauto]

If the heads arent warped you technically dont have to resurface the heads. Just make sure you use an actual straight edge and feeler gauge. That being said, its really cheap to have done and its good peace of mind. From your posts it definitely sounds like a head gasket issue. If your still not sure, pressure test the cooling system for an hour or so then pull the plugs. if your burning coolant you'll see a spark plugs that looks almost perfectly clean. Good luck!

 

[49Runner]

Well... both good questions but my diagnosis was correct... I started blowing heavy white smoke about a block away from my house and by the time I got home I was chugging into the garage (so much for driving it while I diagnosed it).

Going to pressure test it tonight (to try and identify the cylinder) and then start tearing it down.

On the plus side I should have a good write up on head gasket replacement in a week or so.

Still looking for any tricks to it... I have built many engines and have manuals but I figure someone out there might be able to shed some light on things to look out for.

 

[49Runner]

Pulled the plugs and turned it over... leaked into cylinder 1. Pulling the manifold and heads tomorrow to verify that it was the gaskets that leaked and not a cracked head or block.

All the other plugs looked good, not to rich and no oil.

Pics to come...

 

[49Runner]

Been a week of slow tear down, heads will be off tomorrow. Been dealing with 190k of rust and dirt causing for a slow disassembly.

Heads looked good, no sludge BUT... plug #3 broke off in the head.:redbrick:

Don't know if this is a known problem... hopefully either myself or mechanic can get this thing out.

 

[49Runner]

Heads are off. Head Gasket at cylinder #1 was definitely the problem. I will say that compared to the subaru engines I work on (they are layered metal), the head gasket sure is cheap looking for this engine.

Good news is I found a set of heads with 1/2 the miles (85k) as my motor that are in great shape so I will get this project done by the weekend.

While everything is apart I'm taking care of the trans cooler, t-belt, water pump, hoses, plugs, plug wires and belts.

I'll begin posting pics on Thursday during build up.

 

[kball]

Sounds like you're going to town on this! Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[49Runner]

So I finished things up on Monday evening... cranked it over a couple of times and on the 3rd time it fired up and is running strong, no leaks and NO TICKING etc.

I was able to get a set of heads off of a friend's spare engine with half the miles that mine had.

Apparently '97 had a recall that I was unaware of... the gaskets on my truck were a composite and metal, the newer trucks have layered metal (which I replaced with). If you have a qualifying truck you may still be able to get it covered under warranty. Since mine was already taken apart the Toyota Dealership offered me a lame discount on a complete rebuild kit... I passed. Besides even if it was covered under warranty I figure 190k wasn't a manufacturing issue.

While I was in there I did the following...

-Timing Belt
-Timing Pulleys
-Hydralic Tensionor
-Radiator Hoses
-Belts
-Water Pump
-Thermostat
-Plugs
-Plug Wires
-Valve Cover Gaskets
-Front Oil Seals
-External Transmission Cooler
-Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
-Plenum Gaskets
-Manifold Gaskets

This was not something I was eager to do but it did give me a crash course on how this thing is put together... and all the areas around the seals are clean so if anything begins to leak I will see it.

I am glad to be done... a 190k engine doesn't come apart easily.

Here's to another 190k...

Yes... I know the timing marks are off, this was corrected before it was put back together

Old composite/metal vs. new layered metal... look closely at the #1 cylinder area and you'll see the bent gasket that was leaking.

All torn down... all the sludge and grime was cleaned before rebuild.

 

[kball]

Nice work. Glad she's up and running again.